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The overdue replacement for the MG ZS EV is almost in Australia with DNA from the MG 4 hatch, and a choice of two battery sizes.
Electric Cars
MG’s new-generation BYD Atto 3 electric SUV competitor – the 2025 MG S5 EV – is due on sale in Australia “imminently” with up to 515km of claimed driving range.
The S5 EV is the SUV version of the popular MG 4 electric hatch, sharing its rear-wheel-drive platform but adding a taller body promising a roomier interior and improved technology.
MG will offer buyers a choice of two batteries – 49kWh lithium iron phosphate and 62kWh lithium iron phosphate – in Excite and Essence model grades, all with a 125kW/250Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to command a premium of a few thousand dollars over an equivalent MG 4 hatch, which now starts from $36,990 drive-away in base Excite 51 form.
There is no word on a long-range 77kWh MG S5 EV, nor a top-of-the-range, all-wheel-drive XPower variant.
It will go head-to-head with the BYD Atto 3 ($39,990 to $44,990 plus on-roads) and Kia EV3 (from $48,990 drive-away), and is the replacement for the ageing, slow-selling MG ZS EV ($36,888 drive-away for run-out Long Range at the time of publishing).
Measuring 4476mm long, 1849mm wide and 1621mm tall, on a 2730mm wheelbase, the S5 EV is similar in size to the BYD, and about 150mm longer overall, 40mm wider, 145mm longer between the front and rear wheels, and slightly lower.
Its MG 4-derived underpinnings are built for electric vehicles, and not shared with petrol models, such as the new-generation petrol and hybrid ZS small SUV.
Boot space is quoted at 453 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1441L with them folded – compared to 440L and 1340L respectively in an Atto 3.
MG quotes driving ranges of 415km and 410km for the 49kWh Excite and Essence respectively, and 515km and 510km for the 62kWh equivalents, but these are tested to the more lenient NEDC cycle, not the more stringent and common WLTP protocols used in Europe.
MG UK quotes 340km for the base model under WLTP protocols. It does not sell the same 62kWh battery and 125kW motor combination as Australian cars.
DC fast charging is quoted at up to 120kW with the 49kWh battery, and 150kW with the 62kWh pack, for claimed 30 to 80 per cent fast charging times of 19 minutes in both models.
AC charging is limited to 6.6kW across the range.
MG lists 0-100km/h acceleration times of eight seconds flat for the 49kWh Excite, 8.2 seconds for the 49kWh Essence and 62kWh Excite, and 8.6 seconds for the 62kWh Essence.
Details of standard features are yet to be confirmed, but MG has indicated wireless Apple CarPlay will be fitted across the range, and a hands-free power tailgate will be offered on the Essence – both said to be a first for the brand.
In the UK, the S5 EV debuts a new interior for MG intended to address criticisms of the MG 4, including a larger 12.8-inch touchscreen with a faster processor, a volume dial to replace buttons, and a bank of physical controls for key air-conditioning functions.
"We’ve improved upon the things we know the MG4 could have done better," Kevin Kou, MG Motor Australia product planning manager, told media.
Seven colours will be available – Dover White (the only non-metallic), Black Pearl, Camden Grey, Diamond Red, Sterling Silver, Piccadilly Blue and Champagne Gold – plus ‘dark’ or ‘light’ interiors.
The 2025 MG S5 EV is due in Australian showrooms “imminently,” according to the brand, with prices to be confirmed “at launch”.
Electric Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
