2023 MG5 review: The best family EV you can buy?

Introduction

This section introduces the topic of electric cars and highlights the high price point of most models. It mentions that MG is offering low-cost and efficient electric cars, focusing on ease of use.

Electric Cars Market

• There is a wide variety of electric cars available in both used and new markets.

• Most electric cars have a high price tag.

• MG is a company that offers low-cost but efficient electric cars.

• The focus of MG's electric cars is on being easy to use.

Introduction to the MG5

This section provides an overview of the MG5, highlighting its design and practicality as a low-cost EV estate car.

Design and Practicality

• The newly designed MG5 has a sleek front end with premium looks.

• The dimensions and chrome accents give the car an overall good appearance.

• Despite being cost-effective, the interior does not feel budget with great fixtures and fittings.

• All models come with a 10.25-inch display for media and navigation functions, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• The heating and ventilation controls are located on the screen, which some may find inconvenient, but there is a shortcut button for quick access.

• The transmission section has a rubberized bottom area for loose items, along with USB charging ports and a 12-volt socket.

Interior Features

This section focuses on the interior features of the MG5, including space, comfort, and equipment.

Space and Comfort

• The backseat of the MG5 offers ample legroom, knee room, headroom, and foot space even in the middle seat position.

• The flat floor ensures that passengers sitting in the middle seat have enough room for their feet.

• The rear seat is reasonably flat and comfortable, although it lacks independent controls for heating and ventilation.

• USB and USBC charging ports are available in the backseat.

Equipment

• The MG5 is well-equipped with a good fit and finish.

• It offers a 10.25-inch display, media and navigation functions, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and physical buttons for heating and ventilation control.

Practicality

This section highlights the practicality of the MG5, focusing on its boot space and features.

Boot Space

• The MG5 has a spacious 464-liter boot capacity, making it suitable for those looking for an estate car with practicality.

• The split-level boot allows storage of cables underneath while keeping them tidy.

• There is a slight lip that may make it challenging to bring out heavy items from the boot.

Driving Experience

This section discusses the driving experience of the MG5, including range, charging options, comfort, and performance.

Range and Charging

• The MG5 offers up to 250 miles of range depending on the specification.

• It can do a 10% to 80% charge via a rapid charger in about an hour.

• A full charge using a home seven-kilowatt charger takes around nine hours.

Comfort and Performance

• The driving experience leans more towards comfort than being sporty or involving.

• Body lean and roll contribute to a comfortable ride quality that handles potholes well.

• There is some noise from the electric motor during acceleration due to less sound insulation compared to rival EVs.

• Overall performance is good but should not be judged solely based on figures as EVs accelerate quickly from standstill.

Conclusion

This section concludes the video by summarizing the practicality, comfort, and performance of the MG5.

• The MG5 offers a practical and useful car with a reasonable trade-off in terms of noise insulation.

• It provides good space, comfort, and equipment for its price range.

• The driving experience is more focused on comfort rather than being sporty or involving.

• Overall, the MG5 is a low-cost electric estate car that delivers on practicality and efficiency.

Steering and Handling

The steering of the car is light and lacks feedback, which may make it feel a bit nervous at times. However, this is not a sports car but rather an everyday electric estate car, so the lightness of the steering is appropriate for its purpose.

Steering Feel

• The steering is light and lacks feedback.

• This lightness can make the car feel a bit nervy at times.

• It doesn't feel planted like a sports car, but that's expected for an everyday electric estate car.

Comparison with Skoda Kodiak

The low-speed ride in this car is slightly more comfortable than the Skoda Kodiak, especially when comparing to the Kodiak with large wheels and Sportline suspension pack. Overall, the comfort level of this car surpasses that of the Skoda Kodiak.

Ride Comfort

• Low-speed ride in this car is slightly more comfortable than the Skoda Kodiak.

• Particularly noticeable when comparing to the Kodiak with large wheels and Sportline suspension pack.

• This car offers a whole lot more comfort.

Regenerative Braking

Unlike some other EVs where regen braking control is done through paddles or specific transmission modes, in this car there's a switch labeled "curse" on the left-hand side to adjust regen levels. Level three provides maximum regen braking while level zero removes it entirely. Aggressive regen settings are useful for driving around town, while coasting on motorways maximizes efficiency.

Regenerative Braking Control

• Regen braking control is done through a switch labeled "curse" on the left-hand side.

• Level three offers maximum regen braking, slowing down the car when the throttle is released.

• Level zero removes regen braking entirely, useful for motorway driving and maximizing efficiency.

• Aggressive regen settings are preferred for driving around town.

Visibility

The visibility in this car is generally good. The front pillars are slim, minimizing blind spots. There are some gaps between the wing mirror and body, providing additional visibility. However, there may be slight blockage from certain pillars and the rear screen is relatively slim due to the estate car body style.

Front Visibility

• Front pillars are slim, reducing blind spots.

• Gaps between wing mirror and body provide additional visibility.

• Over-the-shoulder visibility is decent but slightly blocked by some pillars.

Rear Visibility

• Rear screen is relatively slim due to the estate car body style.

• Overall, still usable enough for most situations.

Appeal of MG5

The MG5 offers a no-nonsense approach that has been lacking in the EV market. It comes with a decent-sized boot, pleasant interior with standard equipment, and an attractive price point that undercuts many rivals. Additionally, similar levels of space and practicality can be found in its predecessor at a more appealing price on the used market.

Key Features

• No-nonsense approach that fills a gap in the EV market.

• Decent-sized boot and pleasant interior with standard equipment.

• Attractive price point undercutting many rivals.

Predecessor's Value

• Similar levels of space and practicality can be found in its predecessor at a more appealing price on the used market.

Conclusion

This concludes the review of the MG5 electric estate car. Viewers are encouraged to leave a like and comment on whether they think the MG5 deserves the estate car name. Additionally, it is recommended to check out available examples of the MG5 on motors.com for those interested in purchasing.

Review Conclusion

• Encouragement for viewers to leave a like and comment on whether the MG5 deserves the estate car name.

• Recommendation to check out available examples of the MG5 on motors.com for potential buyers.