MG launches all-electric MGS5 in NZ – quietly
MG Motor New Zealand has quietly added a new all-electric SUV to its lineup, with the MGS5 EV now appearing on the brand’s website – despite no formal announcement or press release.
The MGS5 EV slots into MG’s growing electric portfolio as a practical and family-friendly SUV with modern styling, competitive pricing, and a feature-rich spec sheet. It’s also a potential successor to the long-running ZS EV, which has been a cornerstone of MG’s electrification strategy in New Zealand.
Like the MG4 hatchback, the MGS5 EV is built on MG’s modular scalable platform and features a rear-wheel drive layout – a rarity in the compact EV class. Power across all four variants comes from a 125kW/250Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor mounted at the rear.
Buyers can choose between two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options: a 49kWh pack with a WLTP range of up to 340km, or a 62kWh pack offering up to 430km. The smaller battery supports DC fast charging at up to 120kW, while the larger version goes up to 150kW – both offering 30–80% charging in just under 20 minutes under ideal conditions.
AC charging is relatively limited at 6.6kW on all models.
Sharp pricing
Pricing starts at $44,990 plus on-road costs for the base Excite 49, rising to $48,990 for the Essence 49. The Excite 62 is listed at $50,990, with the flagship Essence 62 priced at $54,990 – all inclusive of GST but excluding on-road costs.
All models feature Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing users to power external devices via the charge port. Other standard features include LED lighting, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.8-inch infotainment screen, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Essence models add a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, power tailgate, 360-degree camera, heated front seats and steering wheel, and upgraded upholstery.
Cargo space is generous, with 453 litres on offer with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1441 litres when folded. Towing capacity is rated at 750kg braked and unbraked.
MG’s full PILOT safety suite is standard across the range, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot detection, and rear cross traffic alert.
While the ZS EV remains listed on MG’s site, the more modern and capable MGS5 EV will likely replace it over time. The sudden appearance of full pricing and specification details online suggests a soft launch is already underway, with test drives now available to book.
