The new MG5 EV is a facelifted and fully-revised version of what has been the UK’s fifth best-selling EV so far in 2022. The popular Chinese brand aims to build on this success with even stronger sales in 2023, thanks to comprehensive updates both outside and in.
The new MG5 EV is a much more distinctive-looking car than its predecessor. Out goes the old-fashioned chrome grille, and in comes a more modern and minimalist front end – complete with a slimline gloss-black grille and high-tech LED headlights. The front bumper also gains a more aggressive appearance, including sharply-contoured air curtains. The new MG5 EV is fitted with fresh new alloy wheels – they measure 16 inches on the MG5 EV SE and 17 inches on the MG5 EV Trophy – and both models get brushed aluminium roof rails. The new MG5 EV Trophy now gets dark-tinted rear glass, while the revised car also comes with updated LED rear lights and a cleaner, less fussy rear bumper. Inside, the new MG5 EV has been overhauled with an updated dashboard that includes a widescreen 10.25-inch central touchscreen with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. This runs new software that is more comprehensive and feature-packed. It also links up with the MG iSmart mobile phone app, so you can monitor your car remotely, including checking how much battery charge is left, or turning on the air-con to pre-cool or pre-heat the interior. The new MG5 EV has an additional 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, and both models have a cool rotary gear selector. Equipment levels are generous, with standard kit including air conditioning, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, smart keyless entry and clever adaptive cruise control. The higher-spec MG5 EV Trophy adds climate control air-con, heated front seats, electric folding door mirrors and a 360-degree parking camera. It also swaps the fabric upholstery of the SE for leather-style perforated trim. On the practicality front, the new MG5 EV estate car has a useful 479-litre boot, which expands to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded. The new MG5 EV has a 156PS electric motor, which serves up 0-60mph acceleration in 7.7 seconds, along with a 115mph top speed. The 61.1kWh battery gives a 250-mile driving range in the MG5 EV SE, thanks to its smaller 16-inch wheels with a special aero-tuned design. The new MG5 EV Trophy, on larger wheels, has a 235-mile range. The new MG5 EV is able to use 150kW ultra-rapid DC chargers, which will take it from 10 to 80 percent charge in just 35 minutes. Use one of the more popular (and cheaper) 50kW public chargers, and it takes just over an hour to go from 10 to 80 percent charge. And via a 7kW home wall box, charging from 10 to 100 percent takes 10 hours. As with the previous model, the charging port is centrally located at the front, just below the new grille. New MG5 EV prices start from £30,995 for the SE, while the MG5 EV Trophy costs £33,495. Ordering is open now, with deliveries expected before the end of the year. Those buying or leasing the new MG5 EV can be reassured of good reliability, too – all models come with an impressive seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty.
