MG S5 EV Review: Real-World Range Without the Stress

Credit: MG Motor

Electric vehicles tend to suit a very specific type of driver — short daily journeys, predictable routines and easy access to home charging. For those owners, EV life can feel effortless.

My driving reality is rather different.

Long distances are routine, and installing a home charger proved far from straightforward, with costs quickly spiralling due to the distance between my parking space and the power supply. As a result, when I test an electric car, one factor matters more than most: usable real-world range.

From experience, I know that anything below a genuine 240 miles brings unnecessary compromise. With that benchmark in mind, the new MG S5 EV immediately stood out.

Quick Overview

Model	Engine / Powertrain	0–62 mph	Top speed	Range (WLTP)	Transmission	CO₂ emissions	Price
MG S5 EV Trophy Long Range	Electric / 231PS	6.3 seconds	101 mph	288 miles	Automatic	0 g/km	From £33,745

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Real-world range of around 240 miles makes long-distance driving feasible

• Smooth, instant electric power with strong mid-range performance

• Generous standard equipment in Trophy specification

• Light, agile handling and effective regenerative braking

• Practical interior with intuitive controls and good storage

Cons

• Home charging can be costly if installation isn’t straightforward

• Public charging requires planning and can increase running costs

• Top speed is modest compared with petrol/diesel alternatives

• Some may prefer a more premium interior finish

Range and Charging

Confidence Where It Counts

Fully charged, the MG S5 consistently delivered around 240 miles in real-world driving, allowing journeys to be completed without constant monitoring or mental arithmetic. Just as importantly, the range prediction behaved sensibly, reducing gradually rather than dramatically — even in cold conditions with heated seats, steering wheel, climate control and demisters all in use.

That sense of predictability makes a significant difference. It turns the S5 into an electric car you can rely on, rather than manage.

Rapid charging capability is around 135–139 kW on DC chargers, allowing a 10–80  percent top-up in 25–30 minutes at high-power stations — making longer journeys more manageable. Charging at a standard home wallbox (7 kW) typically takes 8–11 hours for a full charge, depending on battery state.

Credit: MG Motor

Exterior Design

Modern MG Identity

The S5 presents a confident, modern appearance. The front end is particularly strong, with a clean nose and slim lighting giving the car real presence. Proportions are well judged, and the overall silhouette feels cohesive rather than over-styled.

Design influences from MG’s Cyberster are evident, including the split grille treatment and chequered-flag LED light signatures, which appear both front and rear. It’s clearly an MG, but one that feels thoroughly contemporary.

Credit: MG Motor

Interior

Practical, Spacious and Sensibly Designed

Inside, the S5 continues to impress. The cabin is spacious and uncluttered, with a minimalist dashboard dominated by a central touchscreen. Crucially, MG has retained physical controls for essential functions such as heating, demisting and audio — a welcome decision that improves usability.

The centre console is well thought out, offering cupholders, a sturdy gear selector, wireless phone charging and additional storage for everyday items. The chunky, hexagonal steering wheel feels good in the hands and houses intuitive controls, reinforcing the S5’s driver-focused feel.

The boot space is approximately 453 litres with the rear seats up and expands to 1,600 litres with the seats folded, making the S5 practical for family use, shopping, and longer trips.

Credit: MG Motor

Driving Experience

Composed in All Conditions

On the road, the S5 proves particularly reassuring in poor conditions. Heavy rain, standing water, darkness and cold temperatures failed to unsettle it. The lighting provides excellent visibility, power delivery remains smooth and immediate, and even after covering substantial distance, the remaining range inspires confidence.

This is not something that can be said of every electric vehicle. Several recent EVs have struggled to offer meaningful motorway range, limiting their usefulness for drivers who regularly travel long distances. The S5 avoids that compromise.

Performance and Handling

With 231PS available instantly, the S5 feels genuinely quick. Acceleration is smooth and effortless, with 0–62mph dispatched in just over six seconds. Strong mid-range performance makes overtaking easy and stress-free.

The chassis feels light and agile, with secure handling and reassuring brakes. Set the regenerative braking to its strongest setting and the S5 becomes an effective one-pedal car on country roads, recovering energy efficiently without detracting from driving enjoyment.

Specification and Value

In Trophy specification, the S5 comes generously equipped, with a comprehensive suite of safety systems and comfort features. Rapid charging capability further enhances its usability, particularly for drivers without home charging access.

Pricing is competitive for the performance, range and equipment on offer, making the S5 one of the more convincing value propositions in the electric SUV market.

While value is strong, some premium competitors offer a more refined interior finish, so buyers should consider how much emphasis they place on cabin quality versus practicality.

Verdict

An EV That Fits Real Life

The MG S5 EV succeeds by focusing on what matters most: usable range, predictable performance and everyday practicality. It avoids unnecessary gimmicks and instead delivers an electric driving experience that works in the real world.

For drivers who need an EV capable of covering meaningful distances without constant planning, the S5 deserves serious consideration. It is one of the few electric SUVs that genuinely reduces compromise — and that alone makes it stand out.

The Car Buying Coach UK Advice

The MG S5 EV is one of the more convincing electric SUVs I’ve seen when judged on real-world usability rather than headline claims.

For drivers who regularly cover longer distances, this is an EV that removes much of the anxiety that still puts people off electric ownership. A dependable real-world range, predictable energy use and strong motorway performance make it far easier to live with than many rivals that look impressive on paper but struggle away from ideal conditions.

That said, this is not a car that will suit everyone. If you rely entirely on public charging, running costs can quickly approach — or even exceed — those of an efficient petrol or diesel alternative. This is where buyers need to be honest about how and where they’ll charge, rather than assuming electric will automatically be cheaper.

If your driving patterns genuinely suit an EV and you want something that works day-to-day without constant compromise, the MG S5 is a sensible and well-priced option worth serious consideration. But as with any electric car, it needs to fit your life — not force you to adapt to it.

Want a hand picking your next car? Check out my car buying services — I’ll guide you step by step and make the whole process stress-free.

FAQs — MG S5 EV

Is the MG S5 EV good for long motorway journeys?

Yes. In real-world conditions, the MG S5 EV can comfortably cover around 240 miles on a full charge, making it far more suitable for longer journeys than many electric SUVs in this price bracket.

Can you own an MG S5 EV without home charging?

It’s possible, but it requires planning. Public rapid charging makes ownership viable, though costs will be higher than home charging. Drivers with access to workplace charging or reliable local rapid chargers will find ownership significantly easier.

How does the MG S5 EV compare to petrol or diesel SUVs?

In terms of refinement, performance and smoothness, the S5 compares well. However, buyers should carefully compare total running costs — including charging — before assuming it will be cheaper than a modern petrol or diesel alternative.

Is the MG S5 EV good value for money?

Yes. With Trophy specification offering extensive safety and comfort features as standard, the S5 represents strong value compared to similarly sized electric SUVs, particularly when real-world range is taken into account.

Who is the MG S5 EV best suited to?

The MG S5 EV is best suited to drivers who cover regular longer distances, want a stress-free electric driving experience and have a clear plan for charging that fits their lifestyle.