Summary
The MG S5 EV is a small all-electric SUV/crossover that arrived in UK showrooms in 2025 as the replacement for the now-retired MG ZS EV.
Since the previous ZS was launched in 2019, the small electric SUV market has exploded in size and quality. There are now far more choices for buyers, and the S5 needed to be significantly better than the ZS just to hold position in the marketplace. Fortunately for MG, it has delivered this and a lot more.
Built on the same foundations as the highly-regarded MG 4 hatchback, the MG S5 EV is probably now the most complete model in the MG family, and presents a compelling offer for its price tag.
“It’s comfortable on the road, has a smart, high-quality interior and it undercuts pretty much all rivals on price”, says Car’s Seth Walton. That said, Pete Tullin of Business Car takes issue with the pricing of the top-spec S5 EV model, which is “very close” to the pricing of the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3, “both of which are more rounded vehicles overall.”
Top Gear’s Paul Horrell argues that the S5 EV has “vanishingly little charisma” on the road, but is “competent and cheap enough” to be on your family car shortlist.
Our own editor at The Car Expert, Stuart Masson, summarises that “the MG S5 EV is a practical and well-equipped electric family car that offers excellent value for money, even if it’s not the most exciting car to drive.”
MG also offers one of the best new-car warranties in the business, with its cars covered for seven years of 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
As of June 2025, the MG S5 EV holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 76%. It scores top marks for its excellent five-star safety rating, its low running costs and for producing zero tailpipe emissions. However, motoring journalists have marked it down due to an underwhelming driving experience.
S5 EV highlights
- Value-for-money entry-level trim
- Spacious cabin with good build quality
- Generous warranty
S5 EV lowlights
- Top-spec model’s pricing harder to justify
- Unsettled ride quality
- Loud road noise at speed
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £28,495 on-road
Launched: Spring 2025
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The MG S5 EV is a practical and well-equipped electric family car that offers excellent value for money, even if it’s not the most exciting car to drive.”
Model reviewed: 64 kWh Trophy
Score: 7.2 / 10
Read full review
The Car Expert
Stuart Masson
“The MG S5 EV is an affordable SUV with plenty of space and the brand’s best interior yet – it’s a bit bland, though.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Tom Wiltshire
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“MG’s conservatively styled B-segment SUV delivers on most counts, but it lacks a bit of flair.”
Author: Jordan Katsianis
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Undoubtedly, the MG S5 is significantly better than its predecessor and yes, the entry model still looks good value. However, the long-range model is priced in very close proximity to similarly specified models with similar range potential such as the Skoda Elroq 50 and Kia EV3, both of which are more rounded vehicles overall.”
Author: Pete Tullin
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The MGS5 EV is another MG car for people who don’t care about cars. In the capacity of a people-carrying family workhorse it would make a decent option. It’s comfortable on the road, has a smart, high-quality interior and it undercuts pretty much all rivals on price. On paper it looks great, but I think I’d forever find it a difficult car to get excited about.”
Author: Seth Walton
Read review
Daily Mail
Model reviewed: Range overview
“MG has managed to continue undercutting its rivals on price without making you feel like you’ve been undersold on quality and equipment. Despite its bargain price, there aren’t any obvious corners cut. If you want an affordable EV that easily transports two adults and two children, then the MG S5 EV should be a prime candidate on your shopping list.”
Author: Freda Lewis-Stempel
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The MGS5 EV is a worthwhile improvement on the ZS EV it replaces, with improvements in refinement and performance. It has a hint of the smaller MG4’s well-balanced ride and handling, so it’s unexpectedly good to drive and takes UK road surfaces in its stride. But while it’s not an eyesore, the styling doesn’t have the cohesion or attractiveness of some rivals.”
Author: Antony Ingram
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The MGS5 EV is the replacement for the venerable MG ZS EV, and it’s a great value electric family SUV.”
Author: Vicky Parrott
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The MGS5 EV effectively replaces the MG ZS EV and like that car, it represents quite a bargain. Given the range it offers and the high level of standard kit, it’s starting price looks good value. But it’s when you experience the quality that runs throughout that we think you’ll really be swayed. This is a competition-leading small electric SUV.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.2 / 10
“MG’s new family-sized bargain”
Author: Seth Walton
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s vanishingly little charisma to the MG S5 electric crossover, but it’s competent and cheap enough.”
Author: Paul Horrell
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 90%
Child protection: 82%
Vulnerable road users: 82%
Safety assist: 78%
The MG S5 EV was assessed by Euro NCAP in 2025 according to the safety organisation’s latest testing protocols. A five-star score, therefore, makes the S5 one of the safest new cars on the road.
Like all new cars, the S5 is equipped with a suite of latest-generation ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) kit, which means the car will beep and bong at you pretty much constantly if you leave the settings in their default configurations.
MG has made it simple to deactivate multiple systems in one go, rather than having to do them all individually, but you still need to do it every time you start the car. You can thank the EU for that…
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of June 2025, the MG S5 EV has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the S5 EV is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 275 miles | B | 211 – 298 miles | A – B |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.8 m/KWh | C | 3.7 – 4 m/KWh | C – D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 30 | C | 30 – 31 | C – C |
The MG S5 EV is a fairly cheap new car to run when compared to petrol or diesel SUVs, but some other EVs are cheaper.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of fuel economy in a fossil-fuel car) is average, although a decent battery size means you should have plenty of driving range for the vast majority of UK household requirements. Insurance is also average, but some other EVs are better.
We don’t yet have five-year servicing and maintenance costs, but MG is generally very competitive in this area for all its electric vehicles, so we are confident that this will continue with the S5.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of June 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG S5 EV to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the S5 EV, we’ll publish the results here.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the MG S5 EV
As of June 2025, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the S5 EV. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local MG dealer.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the MG S5 EV, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica | BMW iX1| BYD Atto 2 | Citroën ë-C3 Aircross | Cupra Born | DS 3 E-Tense | Fiat 600e | Ford Puma Gen-E | Honda e:Ny1 | Hyundai Kona Electric | Jeep Avenger | Kia Niro EV | Mazda MX-30 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | MG ZS EV | Omoda E5 | Peugeot e-2008 | Renault Mégane E-Tech | Smart #1 | Suzuki e-Vitara | Toyota Urban Cruiser | Vauxhall Mokka Electric | Volkswagen ID.3 | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo EX30
More information
More news, reviews and information about the MG S5 EV at The Car Expert
Buy an MG S5 EV
If you’re looking to buy a new or used MG S5 EV, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease an MG S5 EV
If you’re looking to lease a new MG S5 EV, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to an MG S5 EV
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
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Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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