MG S5 electric road test: How time flies

Sometimes I think of William Morris, the British businessman who in 1924 opened a workshop in Oxford that improved popular Morris models and branded them as MG Super Sport, meaning "Morris’ Garage." 102 years ago, Morris and MG competed with other British manufacturers and surely watched with curiosity what was happening in France and Germany. China was something exotic somewhere in the Far East - tea and rice, not carburetors and exhausts.

Morris, and probably the Chinese themselves, would not have believed that 100 years later, MG would be yet another Chinese brand, chosen wisely by SAIC to lead its entry into Europe and, in the meantime, become the most successful Chinese brand on the continent (with BYD breathing down its neck).

Now its successor lands in Israel, receiving a new name - S5 - as part of the manufacturer’s model offensive. There is also a larger S6, still electric with five seats, and an S9 plug-in with seven seats.

Only six years have passed, but see how much we have progressed. The ZS EV had a 143 hp motor; its successor has 170 hp. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is actually the same (8.2 seconds), but the top speed improved from 140 to 170 km/h. The speed was limited to save energy, because with a nearly primitive 45.6 kWh battery, the crossover offered only a 263 km official range. Its successor has a 62.2 kWh battery and an official range of 425 km. Surprisingly, the consumer price hasn’t changed dramatically, despite EVs being taxed at 10% then and 45% today: NIS 141,000 in 2020 versus starting at NIS 149,000 in 2026.

The S5 lands in a crowded market segment of electric SUVs around NIS 150,000: DEEPAL S05 (do the Chinese also copy names from each other?), Chery FX, JAC 5, BYD Atto 2, Leapmotor B10, and more on the way.

The S5 is relatively large for its price, with 4.48 m length and a 2.73 m wheelbase. The design is rounded, not a rugged “jeep-like” style. There is no attempt to impress or turn heads, just a generic line. It’s a shame. The JAC 7 proved that a successful design has demand, even if slightly copied from another British manufacturer. At least the color range is larger than other Chinese cars, including the nice blue of the test car and an optional red (additional NIS 1,600 for metallic paint). MG also anticipated the Chinese regulator, and the car comes with classic door handles - a simple feature that works without overcomplicating things or risking failure in an accident.

Tesla’s formula is still here, with a 12.8-inch multimedia screen and a 10.25-inch instrument cluster. But the S5 breaks the matrix with a welcome “technological application”: Physical climate control switches. There’s even a rotary knob for volume control, and unlike many other Chinese cars, you don’t have to search the screens to open the panoramic roof or the charging door. Internal screen layout is clear, though the fonts are a bit small. If there were also a “start/stop” button, ergonomics would be perfect.

The materials are of good quality, and the test car had light-colored trim (additional NIS 1,900). Front seating is comfortable and spacious. In the back, it depends: Legroom and headroom are very good, but the seat is relatively narrow - a result of the compact MG4 platform. Two adults will be comfortable, but three children fit only without child seats. At least the floor is flat. The trunk is generous (453 liters), well-padded, with side compartments, but there’s no spare wheel and no front trunk.

As mentioned, 12.8-inch multimedia screen and controls, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, fast wireless phone charging, smart key, 18-inch wheels, roof rails, panoramic sunroof, electric trunk opening, and 360-degree cameras. There is also front electric adjustment, but only for the driver.

The S5 received 5 out of 5 stars in the latest European crash test, like the ZS back then. Safety features include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure correction, blind spot vehicle detection, rear cross-traffic detection and braking, and more.

170 hp with rear-wheel drive creates expectations of a sporty car. The S5 is agile, though there are faster EVs in its price range. You can squeeze a bit more in “Sport” mode and save energy in “i-Pedal” mode. Multi-level regeneration control would have been preferable.

A 62.2 kWh battery isn’t huge today. Official range is modest (425 km), and in practice, we achieved 360 km. MG knows how to produce much longer range (545 km in the smaller MG4). Fast charging is possible up to 150 kW. There’s also external device charging (V2L).

Here the S5 stands out. It’s not sporty, but body control in corners, weight, and steering precision are very good - probably the best in the group. Ride comfort is successful, even in the city.

The S5 is a successful electric crossover demonstrating the industry’s rapid progress. It is not inferior to hybrid crossovers in its price range regarding comfort and handling, and it is cheaper than most. If only it had more rear space and a design with more personality.

For today’s European automakers, who have failed to present a crossover of this size and price, the MG S5 is Kodak’s warning sign to remember. If they don’t start moving, they too will end up as a Chinese brand.