MG S5 Essence 62 Review

The new MG S5 feels like a high-rise MG4 with extra space and LFP battery tech. What’s not to like?

MG’s new MGS5 EV slotted quietly into the firm’s growing electric portfolio recently. This practical and family-friendly crossover features modern styling, competitive pricing, and a feature-rich spec sheet, says MG.  

It can be thought of in two ways. This is the potential successor to the long-running ZS EV. But it should also be seen as an elevated version of the MG4 hatchback, because that’s essentially what it is…only with some key diffettrences. While it is built on MG’s modular scalable platform and features a rear-wheel drive layout, like MG4 models, the battery packs are now all LFP types and they differ slightly in size, both 2kWh less than the packs in the MG4 at 49kWh and 62kWh. The two respective battery packs offer WLTP range of up to 340km and 430km per charge, similar to the Excite and Essence MG4 variants.

Modest energy use 

Power across all four variants comes from a 125kW/250Nm motor mounted at the rear. It’s borrowed from the MG4 Excite 51. They weigh between 1635 and 1755kg, which in part explains why they are not quite as quick 0-100 as the MG4 equivalents. In the case of the model you see here, the range-topping Essence 62, a 0-100km/h run takes a claimed 8.6sec (confirmed 8.58sec) while the lightest (Excite 49) evidently completes the same discipline in 8sec flat. The base MG4 is a bit quicker. 

This does fare well on the energy use front. You’d not expect that perhaps of a higher riding machine but I don’t believe there is that much in it. Up front this newbie has small lateral air vents to direct air out and around the front wheels, saving a small amount on energy use. Wheels are aero optimised too. MG reckons on mean kWh use in the 16s, and 17s for the top model. And indeed the trip computer said 16.7kWh/100km overall for the last 75km. It was lower on a trip out of town, around 15.5kWh per 100km. Our Essence 62 used a quarter of a charge both times on the 106km trip I undertook so the 430km claims sounds achievable. 

You can fast charge with the bigger battery at rates up to 150kW, meaning a 30-80 per cent refill takes 19 minutes. The smaller battery supports fast charging up to 120kW but the overall time taken is the same. Both support home charging at a somewhat limited 6.6kW but each has V2L capability. 

Easy shortcuts 

When you go out driving in this, there are a few things you might want to disengage, but the S5 makes that easy. Things like the annoying bongs from the driver distraction and overspeed alerts, and the lane departure aspects. All of which you can do quite easily by scrolling down through the MG Pilot bits and bobs. Here’s the clever part. Do it once, and save it as MG Pilot Custom setting. Thereafter, each time you restart the vehicle, just pull down the quick start menu and hit MG Pilot Custom button. Everything you want cancelled is done in a flash. There’s also an ESP-off button alongside which comes in handy later on, if you’re feeling feisty. 

Anyhow, it’s a much nicer, quieter drive without all that chiming interrupting the hush. Equally simple and handy are the black and white star buttons on the wheel. Prod one to change drive modes (just leave in default Normal) and the other to change regen settings between low, medium, high and adaptive. 

We found that even on the Normal setting this doesn’t have quite the gusto of any of the MG4 models. They get up and romp, even the base Excite 51. This is slower off the mark than those, almost as if they’ve done that deliberately. Even in Sport mode this doesn’t feel as quick. And during the overtake performance test, it was a few tenths behind the Excite 51. We imagine the extra weight explains the difference.

But then by choosing the S5 you’re doing so for other reasons. Like the bigger luggage compartment at 451-1443L compared with MG4’s 363-1177L. No frunk here but there’s decent underfloor storage space for cables and portable charger. 

There’s generous room in the rear of the S5 too, with pretty decent knee and shoulder space where three can ride in reasonable comfort. Better than reasonable actually for the seats in this are a step up on those in the MG4. In the Essence they’re finished in textile and PVC and are rather plush in the squab. They’re powered too but the only thing we didn’t gel so well with was height adjust. At the lowest seating position, the squab feels too uptilted. Raise the driver’s seat to about one-third and it feels better. Not that the throne-like elevation makes rearward visibility any better, as those intrusive headrests in the back take up a good chunk of the view. 

Handling akin to MG4

Nevermind though because this is just like the MG4 on the move; quiet, easygoing and refined. We couldn’t elicit any SPL readings over 70dB in this, thanks in part to its Turanza rubber. And the ride is rather well sorted, as it is in MG4, all of these variants featuring five-link rear suspension. It just seems to smooth out most surfaces with no real bother, and little suspension noise. 

All the MGS5 models are rear-wheel drive, just like the MG4s. The motor is back there too, giving a more balanced weight split. And steering is uncorrupted by drive. But that’s not the first thing you notice here. And that would be the astounding turning circle, around 10.5m. It turns tighter than the MG4, despite being almost 200mm longer. 

Where it really does kick the opposition into touch is over your favourite section of winding road. Okay, so crossovers don’t need to be great dynamically but this is regardless. Even with ESP still engaged it rounds up into the corners with enthusiasm and fidelity, the ESP eventually stemming the flow. But with that switched out, it’s even better, rounding up into the corner apexes under power and almost hanging in there like the MG4 does. 

There are other signs of general improvement too. Not so much perhaps in the general layout – we prefer the white background of the driver instruments in the MG4. You can turn the main screen light coloured but not the instrument which remains dark. It’s more the little things like the grippy well sited Qi charger, that keeps the phone in one place really well. There’s a nice manual lumbar adjust in the Essence 62 as well, welcomed where there’s none in MG4. 

Bottom line?

So overall it’s a case of more hits than misses with the MGS5. NZ doesn’t take the long range, higher power variant that’s available overseas, to keep costs in check. This top Essence 62 model sells for $54,990 plus ORCs. You could buy an MG4 Essence 64 for less, $49,990, with similar range and more performance, only not as much space. The long-range variant of the MG4 is similar money to this, only with 530km of range and more performance from its 180kW/350Nm motor. 

Pricing starts at $44,990 plus on-road costs for the base Excite 49, Essence 49 for $48,990, while the MGS5 in Excite 62 form is $50,990. Even the base car is well specified though with LED lighting, keyless entry, wireless smartphone hook up and 12.8-inch IFT screen. Going Essence adds a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, a powered tailgate, 360-degree camera, heated front seats and wheel, and upgraded upholstery. Nice stuff, apart from the panoramic roof that just adds weight up high.

And you gotta love that 10-year warranty provided servicing is done at an MG outlet.  

MG S5 Essence 62

$54,990  /  17.1kWh/100km  /  0g/km
0-100 km/h 8.58s
80-120 km/h 5.57s (158.6m)
100-0 km/h 34.30m
Speedo error  98 at an indicated 100km/h
Ambient cabin noise  69.9dB@100km/h
Motor output  125kW
Max torque  250Nm
Battery  62.0kWh
Range  460km
Drivetrain  Single-speed auto / RWD
Front suspension  Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension  Multilink / swaybar
Turning circle  10.4m (2.75 turns)
Front brakes  Ventilated discs
Rear brakes  Discs
Stability systems  ABS, ESP
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-225/55R18
Wheelbase  2730mm
L/W/H  4476 / 1849 / 1621mm
Track  f-1554mm  r-1561mm
Luggage capacity 453-1441L  
Tow rating  750kg
Service intervals  2yrs / 40,000km
Warranty  10yrs / 250,000 km
ANCAP rating  ★★★★★ (2025)
Weight (claimed)  1755kg