Summary
The second model to be added to MG Motor’s EV line-up, after the MG ZS EV, the MG 5 (styled as the MG5) was the first all-electric estate car to go on sale in the UK when it launched in October 2020.
Offering a lower price of entry to electric car ownership, the MG 5 has been an important contributor to what has been a very successful 2021 so far for MG, as the British manufacturer continues their strategy of undercutting their rivals by selling budget alternatives.
The MG 5 doesn’t really have much competition; the only other all-electric estate car available at the moment is the Porsche Taycan, and you certainly can’t get one of those for under £35,000…
To capitalise on the selling success of the MG 5, MG has also released a Long Range variant, which increases the battery range to roughly 220 miles.
The MG 5 has received mixed review scores from the UK media, which have improved since the car’s 2022 facelift. This facelifted model features dramatically different front-end styling and an upgraded interior infotainment system, but there are no significant mechanical differences. There has also been a significant jump in starting price, as all models sold are now the Long Range version.
“If you need a practical car but you’ve been put off all-electric models by high prices and fussy looks, look no further than the MG 5”, says Carbuyer‘s Tom Jervis, pointing to the car’s spacious interior and competitive electric battery range.
As of January 2025, the MG 5 has a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 70%, which puts it in the middle of a large field of rivals.
MG 5 highlights
- Roomy, family-friendly interior
- Low running costs
- Respectable battery range
- Good standard of equipment
- Great value for money
MG 5 lowlights
- Rivals are more fun to drive
- Alternatives can charger quicker
- Not as sporty as MG 4 hatchback
- Rivals have higher interior quality
Key specifications
Body style: Medium-sized estate
Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £30,995 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: Summer 2022
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.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Trophy
Score: 7.2 / 10
“In these financially straitened times, is the MG 5 all the EV you need? It certainly makes a good case for itself, with plenty of kit for your cash and a serene urban driving experience. However, it’s not as nice at motorway speeds and it’s yet to be safety rated by Euro NCAP.”
Author: Stuart Masson
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift)
Score: 8 / 10
“With its 250-mile range, practical estate body and keen pricing, the MG5 could be the smart all-electric choice.” (Paul Adam)
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Model reviewed: Trophy Long Range (facelift)
Score: 8 / 10
“The updated MG5 EV is slightly more expensive than before, but it brings worthwhile updates. It gets great tech and smarter styling inside and out, all without compromising the previous car’s strong points: practicality, affordability and efficiency.” (Sean Carson)
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want a cheap electric car then the new MG 5 EV deserves serious consideration. It’s not glamorous, even compared with the electric ZS SUV, but the no-frills approach means it combines solid range with vast amounts of space, strong levels of equipment.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Facelifted model
Score: 8 / 10
“Fresher, MG 4-inspired styling helps bring the looks up to date somewhat while improved onboard tech and adoption of the bigger Long Range battery as standard equipment help offset the price increase. Even taking these into account the MG 5 is still cracking value if you need a spacious electric car that puts usefulness first.” (Dan Trent)
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Business Car
Model reviewed: (2022)
Score: 7 / 10
“MG’s popular and practical EV estate receives a sharp new look and improved interior.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift)
Score: 6 / 10
“There was never anything truly wrong with the way the old MG 5 drove, so this facelift focusing on the styling and interior seems well-targeted. This is still a good EV and in a class of one if you’re after an all-electric estate car. Its biggest problem? The new MG 4…” (Tom Wiltshire)
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Car Keys
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“This latest MG5 doesn’t bring any particular flair in terms of styling, but as a down-to-earth, no-nonsense EV it really does make a solid case for itself.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Facelift range
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The MG5 EV is another electric family car from the British-Chinese brand that proves making the switch to electric can be affordable” (Tom Jervis)
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Carwow
Model reviewed: EV
Score: 9 / 10
“The MG5 offers a lot of value for money and plenty of practicality. It’s hard to get excited about its looks, though.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.5 / 10
“An acceptable range, plenty of estate practicality and a fair amount equipment for the price, the MG 5 is the most sensible of sensible cars. In a good way.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: SW Exclusive
Score: 8 / 10
“MG knows its market and the MG5 SW hits the spot perfectly. It’s quiet, has a good range, is comfortable over bumps and gives a traditional estate car choice that’s currently unique in the electric vehicle world. If MG keeps making cars this good when it comes to value, the success story will continue.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Exclusive
Score: 7 / 10
“It may not have the driving dynamics of estate offerings from other brands, but the MG 5 is highly practical and seriously good value. For budget brand buyers that don’t care about driving and want a cheap-to-run electric estate, the 5 is perfect and to that end we think MG will win over many fans.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“MG’s sensible electric estate has been refreshed inside and out with sharper styling and better infotainment, but it still won’t break the bank.” (Ellis Hyde)
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Model reviewed: Facelift range
Score: 8 / 10
“Refreshed looks and updated infotainment promise to further increase the appeal of MG’s sensible electric estate.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 7 / 10
“The facelifted MG5 brings a little more glamour and technology to an already great package. It no longer looks such a bargain though, and the legendary comfort suffers if you choose the posher Trophy version.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed:
“The MG 5 is lighter than many EV’s, has good performance, a sensible range and offers a practical estate body. It is also well priced and comes with an excellent 7 year warranty.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The MG 5 is an electric estate car with a big boot, long warranty and affordable price tag. There’s nothing else quite like it on the market – it’s priced about the same as a Fiat 500 Electric, yet it’s practical enough to be your main family transport, while its 250-mile range ought to be enough to make buyers think twice about petrol alternatives.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s got a big boot, can travel 250 miles between charges and won’t cost a lot to buy or run. There’s a lot to like, it’s just a shame it’s not remotely stylish.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
The MG 5 offers generous levels of standard kit; sensible real-world range; and an agreeable ride and handling balance.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Trophy Long Range
Score: 8 / 10
“The MG 5 EV is now a very complete and well-judged car. By and large, this update has been hugely positive. It’s resolved several of the issues that previously took it from a four-star rating down to three, and while it has introduced a few more niggles that prevent it from topping the class, they are vastly outweighed by the improvements. The 5 EV is roomy, fun to drive and great value; you can now add ‘comfortable’ and ‘smartly finished’ to that list. MG has certainly been paying attention – and it has paid off.” (Alex Robbins)
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“This longer-range MG 5 EV appeals as no-frills electric transport but with prices coming down all the time, is it too costly?”
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Model reviewed: SW Exclusive
Score: 8 / 10
“Being first into the market for small, battery-powered estates doesn’t necessarily make the MG 5 EV a great car, but it’s hard to deny it’s workmanlike and competent. It’s no slouch either, while delivering a refined and comfortable ride.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: EV
Score: 6 / 10
“The MG 5 is the first EV estate on the market, and a good value one too.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.7 / 10
“The new MG5 EV Facelift isn’t a huge leap forward from the previous Long Range overall, but its improvements are in key areas. It looks better, the interior is much neater and more contemporary, and the practicality is equally good. The infotainment is vastly improved. The MG4 EV may have taken the MG5 EV’s value crown, but it’s a very competent EV for the money even at the slightly increased price.” (James Morris)
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of January 2025, the MG 5 has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. If and when it is put through its paces by Euro NCAP, we will publish the results here.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the MG 5 has not been lab tested 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 MG 5 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG 5 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the MG 5, we’ll publish the score here.
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 | 243 miles | B | 214 – 250 miles | B – B |
Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
EV models | 3.9 m/KWh | C | 3.6 – 4 m/KWh | C – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 30 | C | 27 – 32 | B – C |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £121 | A |
Year 2 | £362 | A |
Year 3 | £590 | A |
Year 4 | £700 | A |
Year 5 | £925 | A |
Overall | £2,698 | A |
According to data supplied by our partners Clear Vehicle Data, the MG 5’s battery range and efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) are quite competitive, particularly when you factor in its affordable pricing.
Insurance costs are about average, while scheduled servicing and maintenance costs are very good.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the MG 5 has received
2023
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Small Car
2022
- Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for Dog Owners
2021
- Business Car Awards – Best Value Car
- Electrifying.com Awards – Best Value EV
- WhichEV? Awards – Best Value EV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the MG 5, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën e-C4 | Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia Niro EV | Kia Soul EV | MG ZS | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Skoda Octavia iV plug-in | Tesla Model 3 | Toyota Prius Plug-In | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volkswagen ID.3
More information
More news, reviews and information about the MG 5 at The Car Expert
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