Introduction to the 2025 MG S5 EV
The MG S5 feels like a definite shift towards the next generation of the brand's electric vehicles. It replaces the old ZS EV (the MG ZS is now a hybrid, oddly), but it's a much more sophisticated car than that.
It uses an evolved version of the rear-wheel-drive electric-car platform that's found under the impressive MG 4 hatchback, and there's a clear step forwards in terms of design both inside and out over the old ZS.
The MG S5 comes with a choice of two battery packs. The entry-level 47kWh option uses robust - but less energy-efficient - lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, while the larger 62kWh pack, using nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) tech is fitted to cars marked “Long Range”. This is the one we're testing here.
As for rivals, it goes up against the likes of the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3 but undercuts them on price. However, there are more affordable electric crossovers due soon - the likes of the Citroen C3 Aircross and the Opel Frontera for example - which may give the MG a run for its money in terms of Irish pricing. Pun intended.
Pros & cons of the 2025 MG S5 EV
Pros: Looks good, nice to drive, high-quality cabin, solid range
Cons: Slow AC charging no heat pump
Irish pricing for the 2025 MG S5 EV
MG has carved out a useful niche for itself as a purveyor of cars that are exceptionally well-priced, and that continues with the S5. Prices start at €29,995 for the Excite model with the smaller battery, a 170hp motor and a 340km WLTP range.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights and headlights, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and MG's own iSmart app connectivity via your smartphone.
You can upgrade that Excite model to Long Range status with the 62kWh battery, a 230hp motor and a range of up to 480km, for €33,995, or you can go the whole hog and get the top-spec Exclusive model for €35,995, which includes 18-inch alloys, a 360-degree parking camera system, wireless mobile phone charging, a powered tailgate and heated front seats and steering wheel.
Neil's take on the 2025 MG S5 EV
It's not just that the S5 feels like a big step up from the old ZS EV, but it's that the S5 seems to move the whole MG family forwards another notch, following on from the impressive one-two of the Cyberster sports car and the plug-in hybrid HS SUV. The S5 looks and feels like a very mature, very well-rounded product.
That starts on the outside, where the S5 isn't the most thrilling car to look at or anything, but it has a sense of solidity and neat proportioning that sometimes in the past has eluded MG. It actually looks quite classy, especially in the appropriately named 'Electric Blue' of our test car.
Inside, things just keep getting better. Along with that new HS, I'd say this is the best-looking-and-feeling interior that MG has yet made. True, that still leaves it a half step behind the current best-in-class but the overall sense is one of quality and maybe it's just me but between the nice surfacing, and the occasional splash of fake carbon fibre, there's almost a hint of BMW about this cabin.
It gets even better when you start to use it, and that's because MG has brought back buttons. Beneath the big infotainment screen there's a bank of actual, real physical buttons which control the air conditioning and stereo volume, and which also include a shortcut 'home' button for the touchscreen.
It makes using that screen much easier to use, even if as a quibble I'd note that the temperature control knob is a bit too much of a stretch away. Even the driver's instrument screen looks classier, and less overwhelmed with information than it used to.
Space in the back is more than decent too, and the back seat feels less hemmed-in than it does in the Kia EV3. The boot's big too, and there's some handy underfloor storage for stashing your charging cable, although there's no 'frunk' which is a shame.
It's also a notably efficient car. MG quotes 16.0kWh/100km energy consumption on the WLTP test, but even with my motorway heavy testing, I was able to average 15.5kWh overall, and I reckon that even in extremis, you should expect to get around 420km on a full charge of this 62kWh battery.
That's really good real-world range, and it makes up for the fact that the S5 is slow to charge on AC power (only 7kW when the competition offers 11kW and sometimes 22kW if you can find a suitable kerbside charger). At least the DC charging rate has been bumped up to a healthy 139kW.
Performance from the 230hp rear-mounted motor is very decent, with 100km/h coming up in a hot-hatch-like 6.3 seconds, and while there's a bit too much tyre noise at speed, the S5 is a comfortable long-haul cruiser.
The only downside, really, is that it's not interesting to drive. With an MG badge, some really quite sophisticated multi-link rear suspension and rear-wheel drive, you'd expect the S5 to be really enjoyable and engaging, but it's not.
It's fine - solid, planted, predictable - but where's the poise? Where's the fun? C'mon, this is MG - it's spent most of its 101-year life making enormously enjoyable sports cars, so surely it can make an electric crossover feel a bit more thrilling. Or am I just asking too much?
Dave's take on the 2025 MG S5 EV
The MG S5 demonstrates a continued improvement in design, quality and performance for the Chinese brand. In many ways, it does the job previously done by both the MG5 and MG ZS, even though it's more of a crossover than an estate.
Visually, it's attractive, and while the tenuous links to MG's racing past through the lighting signature will likely go over most people's heads, on the whole, it passes the kerbside appeal test.
On the inside, it looks and feels good in all the right ways, and it ticks many of the now-expected boxes, including convenient wireless phone charging, wireless smartphone mirroring and other niceties such as electrically adjustable seats.
Importantly, it's an easy car to drive. The power delivery is smooth, albeit a bit sluggish when Comfort mode is selected, but for the most part, it strikes a good balance between performance and range.
The S5 isn't the MG that you're going to get very excited about; there's a two-seat Cyberster for that, but it does almost everything else pretty well.
Shane's take on the 2025 MG S5 EV
Without wanting to labour the point any further, the MG S5 is so much better than the electric ZS that went before it, we're not surprised it was given a different name to give it a fresh start in life.
And MG's designers did a great job, too, penning a smooth-looking crossover that hints at the MG4 the S5 shares its platform with. It looks like a larger and more expensive car than it is, so people are genuinely surprised when you tell them the price.
In spite of that headline-grabbing price (and while the entry-level model is ridiculously cheap to buy, even the top-of-the-range variant we tested is ludicrously good value for money), the MG S5's interior also feels comparable to cabins from more expensive alternatives.
There's loads of space front and rear, too, along with all the equipment and technology you could hope for. Shame there's no heat pump available, but the real-world range is still plenty for most drivers.
In summary then, the S5 really is a coming-of-age car for the MG brand under Chinese ownership, and no, it's driving dynamics won't appeal to enthusiasts, but who buys a compact electric crossover and expects it to handle like a sports car? Aside from Neil that is...
Verdict - should you buy the 2025 MG S5 EV?
Yes, you absolutely should do. In spite of Neil's cribbing about it not being enough fun to drive, this is a superbly well-rounded compact electric crossover that nails the brief in terms of its useable range and efficiency, and adds in a roomy, classy and well-made cabin. Considering that the MG S5 EV's price stops where most others start, it's definitely one of the bargain purchases of 2025.
FAQs About the 2025 MG S5 EV
Does the MGS5 have a heat pump?
No it doesn't and that may be more obvious when winter rolls around, as EVs that lack heat-pump tech often tend to suffer more from range reduction in cold weather.
Is the MG S5 a good car?
Yes, it's very good. It may not be as thrilling to drive as some might hope, but it's a really well-rounded electric crossover, and notably efficient too.
How fast can the MG S5 EV charge?
On a DC fast charger, the MG S5 EV can charge at up to 139kW, which allows a 10-80 per cent charge to be done in as little as 28 minutes.
How many ISOFIX points are in an MG S5 EV?
The MG S5 gets two ISOFIX points - both in the back seats, but sadly none in the front passenger seat.
Want to know more about the MG S5 EV?
If there's anything about the MG S5 EV we've not covered, or you'd like help in choosing between it and other cars, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
