MG S5 Review: The (Electric) Surprise You Didn’t See Coming

If you told me a few years ago that MG - the same MG once known for charmingly leaky British roadsters and later, somewhat anonymous Chinese rebadges - would one day deliver a proper, competitive Cat A electric SUV, I would’ve asked you to lie down and drink some water.

But here we are, in 2025, and the MG S5 has arrived to make life just that bit more complicated for Singapore’s EV scene.

Let’s get one thing out of the way: MG isn’t here to reinvent the wheel. The S5 doesn’t come with mind-bending acceleration or an AI voice assistant that sounds like your therapist. What it does bring, though, is something far more valuable for the everyday Singaporean driver - space, refinement, range, and a driving experience that’s more engaging than you’d expect at this price point.

Big Space, Bigger Surprise

Open the door and the first thing that hits you is the cabin: it’s airy. MG has somehow found a way to make the S5 feel like a class above its segment. The open feel is enhanced by a generously-sized panoramic glass roof that floods the cabin with light - a touch that elevates the experience from “budget EV” to “budget-lux EV.”

The flat floor helps too, giving rear passengers the kind of legroom you’d associate with cars costing far more. It’s almost disorienting how much space there is, especially when you consider this thing still qualifies for Cat A. The boot isn’t stingy either; it’ll happily swallow your weekly groceries, a stroller, and a folding bicycle; very handy for the East Coast crowd who can’t resist a Sunday out by the beach.

Up front, the cockpit feels well thought out. The seats are supportive, materials are properly finished, and the infotainment system - while not perfect - is responsive and easy to live with. MG’s come a long way from the plasticky interiors of its earlier efforts; there’s soft-touch trim where it matters, clear digital displays, and a sensible layout that doesn’t require a 30-minute tutorial before you set off.

Built Like It Means Business

Build quality is perhaps the S5’s biggest flex. Close the doors and there’s a reassuring thunk - the sort you don’t get in many cars at this price. Panels line up neatly, switches have satisfying resistance, and the whole car feels like it’s been engineered with genuine care. It’s clear MG wants you to take this seriously, not just as another Chinese EV hoping to undercut the competition.

And it works. The S5 feels properly sorted on the road. Where some electric SUVs feel like they’ve been tuned for video game handling - all digital precision and zero feedback - the MG still lets you feel what’s going on beneath you. It’s not razor-sharp, but that’s the point; there’s just enough body movement to remind you this is a car, not some rolling laptop.

Entertainingly Honest Drive

That balance gives the S5 something rare in the EV world: character. It doesn’t take corners like it’s on rails, but the way it leans gently into bends, communicates grip, and recovers with poise makes it surprisingly enjoyable. You get the sense the engineers wanted to keep some old-school MG soul alive, the kind that rewards smooth driving rather than punishing it with lifeless precision.

Performance-wise, the Cat A-limited motor does its job without fuss. It’s brisk off the line, smooth in delivery, and doesn’t leave you wanting for more in daily driving. Around town, the rear-wheel drive S5 feels nimble and easy to place - no small feat for something this spacious.

Range And Real-World Use

Powering it all is a healthy 62 kWh battery, a proper advantage over its closest rival the BYD Atto 3, which offer a smaller pack. On paper, the S5’s energy consumption of 5.8 km/kWh gives it a WLTP range of 425 km; in the real world, that’s enough for a week’s worth of commutes and errands before you even think about plugging in.

More importantly, the S5 doesn’t punish you for using its features. Run the air-con full blast in Singapore’s mid-day heat, stream your Spotify playlist, and it still sips electrons respectably. MG’s efficiency tuning deserves credit here - it’s a well-judged balance between range and usable comfort.

Verdict: A Proper Cat A Contender

The MG S5 isn’t perfect though. The steering could still use a tad more feel, and the infotainment’s interface still has a hint of “first draft” about it. But these are small gripes in what’s otherwise a convincing, well-rounded package.

In a market where Cat A EVs are fighting tooth and nail for attention, the S5 stands out not because it shouts the loudest, but because it quietly gets almost everything right. It’s spacious, refined, well-built, and genuinely nice to drive. And while it might not win over the badge snobs, those who give it a chance will find a car that punches far above its weight.

So yes, it’s an MG. But this time, that’s actually a compliment.

Photos by Azfar Hashim

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