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By Jonathan Crouch

MG steps up a gear with this S5 EV, an electric compact crossover for a new era. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 63

MG aims to take on the major makers on equal terms with its most competitive mainstream model yet, the S5 EV. This MG4-based compact electric crossover is a step forward from the brand's previous volume models in almost every way. You might hope for a bit more visual or handling pizzazz, but you can't fault the way brand has really moved forwards here.

Backgroundword count: 189

MG learns quickly. In 2018, its first electric model the ZS EV really wasn't very good at all, so feeble in range and poor in build quality that even at its cheap price, it wasn't tempting. In 2020, the brand dramatically improved that ZS, but the real step forward came with the introduction in 2022 of the MG4 hatch, which really could start to look its competitors in the eye. That model's rear-driven underpinnings appear again in the car we look at here, the MGS5 EV, which adds a more spacious body to that platform to create a replacement for the old ZS EV - the ZS range having gone its own way, with hybrid power. It's interesting that MG is now differentiating EVs as stand-alone models - Mercedes, for instance, has just started going the other way. You'd think that Audi might have a thing or two to say about the name of this one; and this S5EV is bold in more than just its badging, with pricing edging up to a level just below its mainstream rivals. Can this MG pull that off? Let's take a look.

Driving Experienceword count: 299

MGs says the S5 EV is the fastest-accelerating car in its class, which seems a somewhat pointless accolade considering what kind of class this is. Still, as we saw with the ZS Hybrid+, the brand has recently made a habit of providing more power than the class norm and that trend continues here. The Long Range versions you'll probably want are propelled by a 231PS rear-mounted electric motor with 350Nm of torque. That facilitates a 0-62mph sprint in just 6.3s, which in the combustion area would have been enough to see this car classified in the lower echelons of performance-orientated crossovers. More relevant is that the 64kWh NMC long-range battery takes the car up to 298 miles between charges. There's also a Standard Range entry-level variant which has a feebler 170PS motor (0-62mph in 8s) and uses a 49kWh LFP battery that offers 211 miles between charges. Expect a third Extended Range variant with a 77kWh battery to be added to the line-up at some point. As usual, Comfort, Eco and Sport driving modes feature; obviously, you'll need Sport to liberate full motor power. And there are five settings for the brake regeneration system - low, medium, high, one-pedal and adaptive. Plus there are modes for the steering too. Lots to play with. Thanks to a UK development centre, MGs drive pretty well on our roads, this one aided by a properly sophisticated multi-link rear axle. The rear-driven format makes the car feel agile in town, where you'll enjoy a tight turning circle. And MG has listened to our criticism of over-intrusive ADAS driver assist systems on previous models; here, these are much easier to turn off. Swipe down on the centre screen, press the MG Pilot Custom button, then press again to confirm. Simple. Other brands take note.

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