MG is gradually integrating into the French automotive landscape with its electric cars. With its MG5, the brand arrives with a compact electric station wagon at the price of a Renault Zoé. It did not fail to pique our curiosity.
After two electric SUVs and a hybrid model, MG is launching the marketing of a compact station wagon. The MG5 is even the first electric station wagon available in France, if we put the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo aside, the two models not really playing in the same category. This novelty from MG seems to be a good alternative to SUVs, its efficiency and its good equipment/price ratio make it a model to discover.
The exterior design of the MG5
The look of the MG5 is not really the main asset of this new electric break. Its somewhat clumsy look and its slightly dated style are not really conducive to immediate crush. We must however specify that the station wagon is doing much better in real life than on the photos. Certain body colors, such as red, even manage to make this break a little more desirable.
It is certain that against a Peugeot 308 SW, if it were to come out in electric, the match would probably be a failure for the MG5 in terms of style. Between the front and the rear, it sometimes feels like having two different vehicles. In terms of dimensions, this MG5 falls into line, it is 4.60 m long, 1.81 m wide and 1.54 m high.
Unlike SUVs that give the impression of being lowered on their big rims, this station wagon seems a little high on its 17-inch wheels. Finally, this can be an advantage, because you can go on dirt roads without having to worry too much about the bodywork or the rims. There is a somewhat strange impression of its style, this MG station wagon is not really graceful. But ultimately, is this what we expect?
A well-thought-out interior
Strangely, inside, the MG5 is much less outdated. The cabin is quite similar to what is currently found on other electric models, including a floating center console. Inevitably, this MG5 will not have an XXL screen like other manufacturers, and some of its plastics are quite basic, but compared to its price, there is nothing abnormal in that. Its 10.25-inch infotainment screen is more than enough for vehicle use anyway, and its digital meter does the trick. The comparison with vehicles at equivalent prices does not serve this MG5.
Once on board, it is rather well installed, even if some additional settings of the driver’s seat would not have been to displease us. All occupants have enough space, including passengers in the back. On our test model, we had light upholstery (optional) which brings a little brightness inside the vehicle, and it’s rather pleasant. All in all, even though the interior is thought to be rational and practical, it is rather a pleasant surprise on this vehicle.
If you opt for a break, it is to have a good size trunk. The MG5 is within the standards of this segment with 479 L in 5-seater mode, and up to 1,367 L with the rear seat folded down. We just regret not getting a flat floor in this maximum configuration. If you need even more space, you can tow 500 kg and the roof bars can accommodate a trunk of up to an additional 75 kg, beware, however, of increased fuel consumption in this configuration.
Two engines and two technologically different batteries
While with all competitors, the largest engines are reserved for large batteries, with MG, it’s the opposite. A confusing element which is explained by the fact that the two batteries do not have the same composition, and therefore not really the same associated performance.
In its “standard autonomy” version, MG5 combines a 130 kW (177 hp) motor with the 50.3 kWh LFP battery. The LFP battery is a lithium-iron-phosphate battery, a chemistry found on the entry-level Tesla Model 3.
The “extended range” version is associated with a less powerful 115 kW (156 hp) motor, but with a larger 61 kWh NMC (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery. This is the version we tested.
The handling of the MG5
When it comes to handling, MG5 seems to have found some kind of interesting compromise. The model is not sporty, but not anemic for all that. It is the ideal type of everyday vehicle for many motorists, who do not run after performance. For those who appreciate eco-driving, this vehicle may please you, even if its regenerative braking is not quite what we expected with the different levels offered. Braking, in the broad sense, is what impressed us the least in its road behavior.
The MG5 offers enough comfort for its occupants, without being brittle, especially on speed bumps. However, the very degraded roads and the tight turns will show a little the limits of the choices of suspension of the manufacturer. The MG5 takes a little roll, if you increase the pace, but clearly, this model is not intended to be conducted on dynamic driving. In any case, it remains quite safe to drive. It would even be a shame to use it in dynamic driving, since among its strengths we can count on its consumption.
Autonomy and consumption
On the standard autonomy version, equipped with a 50.3 kWh battery, the advertised wltp autonomy is between 310 and 320 km (depending on the finish). For our test version, the extended autonomy version with its 61.1 kWh battery, it is an approval for 380 to 400 km which is communicated by the manufacturer.
More concretely, if you adopt a peaceful driving style, you can approach the wltp standard for autonomy on the secondary network. In any case, we easily lowered the average consumption below 16.0 kWh/100 km with mixed driving, or even 15 kWh/100 km in walk mode. On the other hand, we did not have the opportunity to test a highway trip at 130 km/h during this test.
To recharge, the MG5 has an on-board 11 kW charger for AC power. For fast charging, it accepts up to 87 kW (in DC), an honorable result, but not exceptional for lovers of long journeys because it will take breaks of 30 to 40 minutes on average.
What we remember from our test of the MG5
If you are interested in the MG5, it is probably because you are looking for a rational electric car. With this in mind, the MG5 is a good candidate: it offers space on board, comfort, silence and it has well-developed equipment for this price range. It also has sufficient driving aids to assist the driver on a daily basis.
With the MG5, you also have access to V2L technology, which allows you to plug electrical equipment into your vehicle to supply it with power: electric bike, scooter, coffee machine, plancha, television to watch a match in the countryside or just your computer. It’s actually pretty handy, and don’t worry: it doesn’t drain the battery excessively. V2l technology is standard on this model, but the cable is optional.
With its tariff offer starting from €32,490 (before bonuses), it is still easier to pass certain faults. We can cite for example its 360° cameras (on the Luxury finish) which have a resolution from another time, some not always very qualitative assemblies and some small bugs in the system. We can not compare MG to German brands, or even French, but we are still far from the image that we can have of a Chinese vehicle. It is a product to discover. Our test version, MG5 extended autonomy in Luxury finish, is displayed around 38,000 € (before bonus). Even in high finish, you can benefit from an electric station wagon at the price of some city cars.
The verdict
We liked
Its consumption in normal driving
Its price for this equipment
Its comfort of life on board
We liked less
Sound braking / regenerative braking
Its design
some slightly cheap elements and equipment (camera, buttons, etc.)
The MG5 is a good family station wagon, it’s also the only one in this segment at the moment, and in addition a relatively affordable and well-equipped model for this size. Even if for this price range, it is easily overlooked some faults, it is difficult to give a higher score to the MG5, without being unfair to the other electric vehicles tested by the editorial staff. By starting from €32,490, this means that once the bonus has been deducted, the model goes below €30,000, which is not neutral.
Overall, the MG5 pleasantly surprised us. Comfort, finishes, performance and consumption are quite good, even if we always want it forever cheaper. In any case, for this quality / price ratio, we generally get our money’s worth.