Pros and cons
MG Motor MG5 EV pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2021)
4 min read·Last updated: 2021-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
4 pros, 4 cons. The MG Motor MG5 EV is best for uk/eu families wanting estate practicality with ev running costs at mass-market price — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
Before signing for a MG Motor MG5 EV, you owe yourself an honest accounting of what works and what doesn't. MG Motor the country's marketing tells you the highs; we collected the 4 strongest selling points alongside the 4 most-cited drawbacks so you can weigh the 380 km range claim against the real-world give-and-take.
MG Motor MG5 EV — the pros
Here is what the MG Motor MG5 EV actually does well, in the order that owners tend to mention them. Strength 1 — Only mainstream electric estate at this price. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — 578 L boot — class-leading. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — GBP 30,495 starting is great value. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — Practical 5-seater estate. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 61.1 kWh battery, 380 km range, and a GBP 30,495 - 35,495 (UK market) starting price that defines the MG Motor MG5 EV's value envelope.
MG Motor MG5 EV — the cons
These are the drawbacks that come up most often in MG Motor MG5 EV reviews and owner feedback. Weakness 1 — Not sold globally. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — 236 mi range modest. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — 87 kW DC charging trails segment. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 4 — Estate body style unpopular outside Europe. On the MG Motor MG5 EV specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a electric estate weighing 1545 kg with 185 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the MG Motor MG5 EV is for
MG Motor pitches the MG Motor MG5 EV at "UK/EU families wanting estate practicality with EV running costs at mass-market price", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 380 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and 10-80% in 40 min (87 kW DC) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
Rank the cons in order of how often you'd actually hit them. Most MG Motor MG5 EV buyers find the headline complaints are once-a-month problems, not once-a-day ones.
Related MG Motor EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at mg4 ev, vauxhall astra electric — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The MG Motor MG5 EV wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- How does the MG Motor MG5 EV compare to its segment rivals?
- The MG Motor MG5 EV sits in the middle of its segment on most axes — not the cheapest, not the fastest, not the longest-range. Its win is balance. Rivals that beat it on one axis usually lose on another, so the comparison comes down to which axis you care about most.
- Will the MG Motor MG5 EV hold its value?
- The MG Motor MG5 EV depreciates in line with the segment. The pros above are the ones that resale-buyers will also notice, so a well-maintained MG Motor MG5 EV with documented service history holds value about as well as any EV in this band.
- What's the most common MG Motor MG5 EV complaint?
- Look at the first item in the cons list above. That's the one owners mention first when ev.care surveys them at the 12-month mark. If you can live with it, the rest tends to fade.
- Should I wait for the next MG Motor MG5 EV refresh?
- Only if a specific con is a dealbreaker and you have reason to believe the next version fixes it. Otherwise the cost of waiting (lost EV running-cost savings, opportunity cost of an extra year on petrol) usually outweighs the upgrade.
Our verdict — the MG Motor MG5 EV earns its place in uk/eu families wanting estate practicality with ev running costs at mass-market price use cases. If your life looks like that, buy with confidence. If it doesn't, cross-shop ruthlessly.