The MG ZS EV was a watershed moment for EVs in New Zealand, dropping the gateway into full electrification to less than $40k, and while it had a lot of faults, I personally had a massive soft spot for it.
Sure, its interior was packed with hard cheap-feeling plastics and it had a number of quirks with its software, but it was also blisteringly quick off the line (inappropriately so, in fact) and was genuinely fun to drive around town.
But with the advent of the next-gen ZS, the electric model was dropped in favour of super hybrids, and the ZS grew up to be a proper, sensible small SUV that offered genuine quality instead of just value for money, and did sensible things like not light up its front tyres away from the traffic lights.
So with the ZS EV gone, we now have its effective replacement in the MG range - the confusingly-named S5 EV that is unrelated to the new ZS, but instead uses the same underpinnings as the rather good MG4 EV.
The S5 EV is available with a choice of 49kWh or 62kWh batteries, available across two spec variants - Excite and Essence. Our test car was an Essence 62kWh model that topped the range at $54,990, but also boasted the longest range and highest standard equipment levels.
All MG S5 EVs use the same 125kW/250Nm electric motor mounted on the rear axle, and the Essence 62 boasts a range of up to 425km on the WLTP cycle. Standard kit over the Excite's already generous specification includes 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated artificial leather front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, a power tailgate, electric folding door mirrors, rear privacy glass, rain sensing wipers, a 360 degree camera, a wireless phone charger and voice control.
The level of quality, both in terms of materials used and build is impressive in the S5, surpassing even that of the new ZS. It feels like a genuinely mature small SUV that drives and rides like something from a class higher, with its size at the larger end of the small SUV segment adding to this feeling.
In terms of looks, the S5 initially comes across as a bit bland, but I have to admit its looks grew on me, with the MG offering a more resolved and mature take on the current wave of small/medium SUVs from China that, let's face, all look alike.
The S5’s ride quality is a highlight, with a plush and absorbent ride that soaks up imperfections large and small without complaint at speed, making it an excellent open road cruiser.
On the inside, however, it won me over instantly with its modern, but not homogenous layout and quality materials - there are precious few hard plastics used inside the S5, with a lot of surfaces even having a nice Alcantara-like suede finish that adds a quality feel to it.
Excellent seats and a surprisingly good audio system are highlights, although the traditionally sluggish responses of the touchscreen take the edge off the experience.
One thing MG has got very right with the S5 are its driver assists. While they are a tad over-attentive, they aren’t particularly intrusive, but the best feature is the addition of a profile select button that can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the touchscreen and instantly sets all driver assists to you pre-set likings. Yes, that also means off entirely.
It’s simple and effective, and in addition to the two programmable buttons on the steering wheel makes the S5 brilliantly easy to configure exactly how you want it.
The S5’s ride quality is a highlight, with a plush and absorbent ride that soaks up imperfections large and small without complaint at speed, making it an excellent open road cruiser. Unfortunately, like a lot of its all-electric segment-mates, the low speed ride is a bit brittle, taking the shine off in urban settings, but it's certainly not a deal-breaker.
Genuinely engaging handling aside, nothing about the S5 will particularly surprise you, but there's really nothing that will disappoint you either.
Given it is only packing 125kW and 250Nm, the S5 EV isn't exactly a rocket off the line, but it has more than enough mid-range grunt when it is up and running, while the handling is truly a highlight thanks to the S5's crisp and responsive steering, 50:50 weight distribution and perky RWD dynamics.
On a winding country road the S5 is a genuinely engaging small wagon, something that the ZS EV could never come close to claiming, while its polished ride and responsive dynamics even improve upon the MG4, which is still an impressive handler.
The brakes are strong and confident, but one weird little quirk that the Z5 throws up is when using the adaptive mode for the regenerative braking. While it generally does a good job, it will often give small odd little twitches - similar to how the MG4’s lane assist would do to the steering - nibbling away at the brakes. It is a genuinely tiny thing that is more weird than bothersome, but it still shows there is work to do in some areas.
Genuinely engaging handling aside, nothing about the S5 will particularly surprise you, but there's really nothing that will disappoint you either, as it simply does pretty much everything you would expect a small electric SUV to do, and does it well.
The S5’s biggest problem in New Zealand is the sheer amount of circa-$50k small/medium electric or PHEV SUVs around at the moment, with new brands like BYD, Leapmotor, Geely, Omoda, Jaecoo, Chery and KGM all offering convincing alternatives.
The steering is fantastic and the RWD chassis is willing and responsive. It really just needs a fraction more power to make the most of the agile chassis...
But I would argue that none are quite as convincing as the MG S5, while the more established nature of MG in New Zealand will be worth something to a lot of people too.
How much is the MG S5 EV Essence 62?
The Essence 62 tops the MG S5 range at $54,990 and features both the highest level of standard equipment and the largest 62kWh battery. An lower-spec Excite model with the 62kWh battery lands here at $50,990, while an Essence model with the smaller 49kWh battery costs $48,990. A lower-spec Excite with the smaller battery at kicks off the range at $44,990.
What are the key statistics for the MG S5 EV Essence 62?
The Essence is powered by that 62kWh battery in its name hooked up to a single rear-mounted 125kW/250Nm electric motor. The battery is good for up to 425km of range and can charge at speeds of up to 150kW on a DC fast charger.
Is the MG S5 EV Essence 62 efficient?
BYD claims an average combined energy consumption figure of 17.1kWh/100km, which the S5 seems do do pretty reliably. The claimed range of 425km also seemed pretty much spot on during our time with the car.
Is the MG S5 EV Essence 62 good to drive?
It certainly is. While the low speed ride is slightly brittle, it isn't intrusive or annoying, while it calms it down nicely at open road speeds. The steering is fantastic and the RWD chassis is willing and responsive. It really just needs a fraction more power to make the most of the agile chassis...
Is the MG S5 EV Essence 62 practical?
The MG S5 EV is based on the same platform as the MG4, but is a slightly larger SUV format. Sitting at the large end of the compact SUV segment, the S5 is noticeably larger than the ZS EV it replaces in MG's local line up, but still compact enough to be delightfully easy to live with. The larger size is most noticeable in the rear seat that has plenty of leg room and the boot that now offers an impressive 453 litres of cargo space.
What do we like about the MG S5 EV Essence 62?
It is a superbly easy car to just hop in and drive, while also being genuinely engaging on the move. The interior is impressively high quality and not only a vast improvement over the MZ ZS EV, but also noticeably better than the MG4.
What don’t we like about the MG S5 EV Essence 62?
The touchscreen infotainment system is still a tad lethargic in its responses and the weird way the automatic regen nibbles away at the brakes is an odd quirk. And while it is perfectly capable with its modest 125kW/250Nm outputs, a bit more certainly wouldn't go amiss.
What kind of person would the MG S5 EV Essence 62 suit?
Anyone who wants a genuinely good compact (verging on medium) SUV that is genuinely engaging to drive and utterly effortless to live with.
