2016 MG S5 EV public Review

In recent years, Malaysia's new energy market has been gradually heating up, especially in the compact electric car segment, where consumer demand for models with long range, strong configurations, and affordable prices is increasing. As an early entrant into this segment, the 2016 MG S5 EV Public focuses its core selling points on a 400km NEDC range, fast charging capability, and a full suite of intelligent connectivity systems, attracting many budget-conscious consumers wanting to try out electric vehicles. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify the authenticity of its range, assess whether the daily driving experience meets family use needs, and determine if the configurations align with its positioning.

From the exterior, the 2016 MG S5 EV Public retains the sedan profile of the gasoline version S5, but the details distinctly reflect electric vehicle characteristics. The front adopts a closed grille design with the MG brand logo embedded in the center. A trapezoidal air intake is retained at the bottom, and the halogen headlights on both sides have sharp shapes, seamlessly connecting with the grille lines. The overall style is simple and understated, with moderate recognizability. The side profile features straight lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, complemented by 16-inch alloy wheels, giving it a relatively steady stance. At the rear, the taillights adopt a conventional split design without LED lighting, while a small ducktail on the trunk lid adds a touch of sportiness, though the overall rear design appears somewhat plain. Regarding the lighting system, the vehicle is equipped with halogen headlights and taillights, with average nighttime illumination, which is a minor drawback in its exterior design.

Inside the cabin, the interior uses black as the main color tone, with the dashboard covered in hard plastic material, offering a firm touch yet with fairly uniform trim gaps. The central console is clearly laid out, with an 8-inch touchscreen at the center and physical buttons below for convenience during driving. The intelligent connectivity system within the screen supports Bluetooth connectivity and phone mirroring, although the response speed is average and occasional lag occurs. The seats are made of fabric material, providing decent support, with the driver's seat supporting 6-way manual adjustment. The rear row is equipped with a middle headrest but has a pronounced floor hump, impacting legroom for the middle passenger. The vehicle dimensions are 4601×1818×1489mm, with a wheelbase of 2650mm. Rear legroom offers about two fist-widths of space, and headroom provides about one fist-width, which is sufficient for daily family use. In terms of storage, the front door panel storage can hold two bottles of water. The center armrest box has average depth, while the trunk offers a capacity of 450 liters, expandable to 1100 liters when the rear seats are folded, showcasing good practicality.

In terms of power, the 2016 MG S5 EV Public is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power output of 85kW and a peak torque of 250N·m, paired with a single-speed transmission, and an NEDC range of 400km. In actual driving, when switched to Economy mode, the initial acceleration is relatively smooth, making it suitable for urban commutes. Switching to Sport mode noticeably improves power responsiveness, achieving 0-50km/h acceleration in about 4 seconds, offering great confidence during overtaking. The chassis features a front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, tuned for comfort. It absorbs most bumps when going over speed bumps, though slight vibrations are still felt in the rear seats. The steering wheel has a light effort, but average precision, with some play noticeable at high speeds. For noise control, tire and wind noise are not significant at speeds under 60km/h; however, wind noise increases gradually above 80km/h, affecting overall comfort. In range testing, the energy consumption on city roads is about 14kWh per 100km, achieving about 85% of the rated range. On highways, the energy consumption rises to about 18kWh per 100km, with a range attainment rate of about 70%. In fast-charging mode, charging from 30% to 80% takes about 40 minutes, while full slow charging requires 8 hours.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2016 MG S5 EV Public lie in its reliable range, practical space, and basic configuration that meets fundamental needs. Compared to the BYD Qin EV 2016 model in the same class, it comes at a lower price and offers better value for money. However, its drawbacks include relatively hard interior materials, slow response of the intelligent system, and low lighting configuration. This car is suitable for users with a limited budget, focusing on daily commuting and family use, especially those with a daily driving distance within 50 kilometers and access to fixed charging conditions. If you are seeking a more luxurious interior or smarter features, you may need to consider other models, but as a household electric vehicle, the 2016 MG S5 EV Public offers sufficiently balanced performance.