New MG5 EV full review - the 250-mile electric family estate car

New MG5 EV full review - the 250 mile electric family car. It is hard to believe that in this world of SUV and Crossover EVs that no one other than the Chinese MG brand has decided to build an electric estate car. Jonny Smith drives this new version, which is facelifted and tech-lifted from the best selling previous version (which is currently Britain's 2nd most popular estate and the UK's 5th best selling EV).

Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show.

The £31,000 MG5 uses the previous car's 61.1kWh battery pack, delivering 154bhp (115kW) and 260nm to the front wheels, and providing up to 250 miles WLTP range. It will rapid charge up to 87kW, meaning 10-80% charge in 35 mins.

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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:08 What is it?
1:20 Old model differences
1:47 Tech spec
2:54 Driving impressions
3:27 Performance stats
5:08 MG Pilot assist
5:49 Boot Space
7:16 Seats down boot space
7:42 Good for dogs?
8:09 Suspension feel
9:43 New centre console
10:09 Sport mode
10:23 Price
11:51 New front design
12:40 Charger socket & stats
13:42 2 x trim levels
14:36 Under the bonnet
16:39 0-62
17:55 Profile design
18:38 Dimensions
19:03 Cabin design
20:56 Infotainment
21:15 Rear passenger area
22:10 MG iSmart APP
23:00 Verdict

#newmg5 #evestate #thelatebrakeshow

[simond]

MG Krill Sifter - they really missed a trick with that name! Great review but why oh why do you have to have pimp tints on so many cars these days if you don't want poverty spec. My kids aren't that and an EV without heated seats in the base model - madness.

[dfishpool]

Hi Jonny - thanks for the review - I was especially interested since I bought an ex-demo MG5 in September 2021 - it was originally registered in March of that year. My previous vehicle was a 2004 Range Rover Vogue with an LPG conversion - I'd never have been able to afford to run it without that!! I have been thrilled to bits with the MG - never get out of Eco mode and use max Kers and in the summer was getting on average 4.6 miles per kWh. Since I'm retired my annual mileage is around 7000 and although I had a home charger fitted I hardly ever use it - the 'granny' charger that came with the car is adequate - I have 'economy 7' so only charge it overnight (00:20 - 07:20) and that adds about 20% to the battery charge. The boot capacity makes fitting my wife's mobility scooter easy with room to spare. The heating and ventilation is the best that I've had on any vehicle - it's warm straight away without having to wait for a petrol/diesel engine to warm up on winter days and window demisting is superb. The ease of driving makes going on journeys a joy and sitting in traffic jams makes one a bit smug since you're not wasting fuel!!

[graemejohnson]

I have a neighbour, that will never buy a MG Because it's made in China.. but? He drives a Tesla Y, made in China, and uses a iPhone, made in China.. so many people are uneducated...

[mceajc]

This is the direction I have been waiting for EVs to go in. Sensible, practical, no excessive frills.

[yt_Ajay_]

Estate cars need to make a roaring comeback.

[alanwayte]

Face lift has improved looks especially in trophy trim, it’s excellent value, my company ran five of old model for our technicians, we took delivery of 22plate model last week, my Wife had her Golf R 7.5 in for some work under warranty, she has been given an ID4 as we have a home charge point, so I took home the new MG to comparison, it’s frightening how VW group have fallen in terms of interior quality perceived and actual, the Tech in MG was far easier to use and it drove just as well with more comfortable ride....Well done MG

[DiscoFang]

That Dark Crystal lady was upset she hadn't waited til the MG5 Estate came out and is now stuck with the Kia until her lease runs out. You'd have that face too.

[chris]

I'm with you, Jonny, we need many more EV estates / sportbacks / fast dog wagons! Not more SUVs. I love lowered performance estates, like my old VR4, just want a modern low maintenance version with variable suspension height that the dogs will be happy with. That future is so close I can taste it. Credit to SAIC/MG for getting it started and breaking from the herd.

[dolomitesprintdeath]

I cannot get over the wheels, look like they have found a TSW brochure from 2003. That said, who didn't like a set of TSW Venoms on a MK3 Cavalier....

[rca]

The seats not folding flat is a deal-breaker... (Did you try to grab between the seat back and "seat" portion? Sometimes it's hidden). Also by raising the back seat they could have had great leg support and flat entry boot since they have lots of headroom

[jonathantaylor]

A lot of owners of the old MG5 used the under-bonnet space for cable storage etc - they simply bought a plastic 'storage' box that fitted neatly in to the space - as with James' (from James & Kate) MG5 Service Vehicle.

[HawkMillFarm]

Is it just me that thinks being able to access the Pilot Safety System package screen whilst moving is bonkers. Too much screen distraction worries me, essential functions only please and they should probably be on proper buttons anyway. I don't want a head on with someone who was watching the F'in screen!

[Hazdazos]

"...just way the world is..." Nope. Sorry. The reason your iPhone or TV or toaster is made in China is because we as consumers don't have any choices anymore. Essentially all of those devices are made in China. With cars we still have a choice, and I'll be damned if I buy an MG, Volvo or any other Chinese brand car.

[Richardincancale]

I’ve had one for the last two months (in France) - really pleased with it. I actually did use it this week to get 250kg of concrete, rebar and 2m timber! Very practical!! At the same time a very comfortable drive.

[bobskinner]

It might be a fine car however I'm not buying Chineese from an ehtical standpoint. A car is probably the second most expensive purchase you make not like a phone.

[williamarmstrong]

Std range MG5 80500 fault free miles so far. Battery still at 100% SOH.

[LotCARS]

Great review, I think the facelift really works better than the original, which to be fair wasn’t bad. The fact that MGs EVs haven’t taken a wacky styling approach and by not calling it Coffee or Cat or something similar can only widen its appeal to current ICE owners.

[gordonmackenzie]

I follow James and Kate. Good honest channel for people interested in EV

[kristoffer]

One HUGE gripe is that the passenger seat does NOT adjust up or down and it's set very high up, so much so that even shorter people feel like they're rubbing on the ceiling, it's a very strange choice and a complete deal breaker for me when I tried this car.

[MrTubeuser]

people seem to have a thing for 0 - 60 times, about 4 or 5 seconds is plenty. range is more important.