2025 MG S5 EV LUX Long Range Review

The competition in Malaysia's pure electric C-Segment market has intensified in recent years. Consumers not only seek sufficient range for intercity travel but also emphasize smart features and spatial practicality—this is exactly where the MG S5 EV LUX Long Range comes into play. As a key model in MG's pure electric product line, it features a 62kWh lithium iron phosphate battery that delivers an official range of 430km, standard L2-level assisted driving, and a large smart cabin, directly addressing the pain points of family users and young commuters. In this test drive, we will focus on verifying its range performance, space capabilities, and dynamic driving to provide potential buyers with a realistic reference.

At first glance, the MG S5 EV LUX Long Range has a design that leans towards simplicity and sportiness, without overly exaggerated lines. The front adopts a closed grille with the MG round logo embedded in the center, while the LED headlights on both sides are connected by a thin chrome strip, enhancing the visual width and giving it good recognition. The side profile features smooth lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, preventing monotony. The 18-inch wheels are conventionally designed but proportionally match the dimensions of 4476mm×1849mm×1621mm, achieving a balanced look. The rear-end's standout feature is its through-type LED taillights, which are clear when lit. The diffuser-shaped lower rear bumper adds a touch of sportiness. Overall, the exterior design is understated and easy on the eyes without being overly ostentatious.

Opening the door, the interior is predominantly black with silver trim accents, which suits the price range. The dashboard layout is simple, with the most striking feature being the 12.8-inch floating central touchscreen. Its operation is smooth and supports both CarPlay and Android Auto, making it convenient for daily use. The 10.25-inch full LCD instrument panel displays information clearly, offers different themes, and integrates well with the central screen. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard and the inner side of the door panels are wrapped in soft materials, ensuring a premium tactile feel. As for configuration, keyless entry, multifunction steering wheel, and automatic climate control are all standard. The front seats offer 6-way electric adjustment, and the rear seats come equipped with independent air-conditioning vents and USB ports, showing meticulous attention to detail.

Space is one of the strong suits of this vehicle. With a 2730mm wheelbase, it ranks at the upper level in the C-Segment class. After adjusting the front seat to a suitable position, a passenger with a height of 175cm will still have a fist's worth of headroom. Rear legroom allows for two fists' space, and headroom also offers a fist, ensuring that even with three adults in the back, it does not feel cramped. The trunk has a capacity of 453 liters, which is sufficient for a few suitcases, and the rear seats can fold down in a 60:40 split to expand the storage space, making it convenient for carrying larger items occasionally. Additionally, the vehicle offers numerous storage areas, such as the front center armrest box, door storage slots, and wireless charging area for phones, greatly enhancing practicality.

In terms of dynamic driving, the MG S5 EV LUX Long Range is equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 125kW (170PS) and a peak torque of 250N·m, providing smooth and linear power delivery. With a light press on the accelerator pedal, you get a good response to power, making it easy to overtake or change lanes during city commutes. On the highway, it maintains sufficient power reserves for acceleration beyond 100km/h without feeling sluggish. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, the power output is more subdued, suitable for daily commuting, while in Sport mode, the throttle response is more sensitive, catering to scenarios where driving fun is desired.

The chassis adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, with tuning biased towards comfort. When going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most of the vibrations without any significant harshness; during cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, and stability is commendable. The steering wheel has moderate heft, precise handling, and is very easy to maneuver during daily driving. As for noise control, wind and tire noise are present at high speeds but not overly noticeable. Conversations inside the car do not require raising your voice deliberately, and the overall quietness meets the level expected from an EV model.

For our range test, we chose a mix of urban roads and highways, covering a total distance of 200km, with urban roads accounting for 60% and highways 40%. The air conditioning was on throughout at 24°C. The initial displayed range was 430km, and upon arrival, the displayed remaining range was 220km, with an actual range achievement rate of around 95%, surpassing expectations. Regarding fast charging, the official data indicates it takes 0.43 hours (about 26 minutes) to charge from 30% to 80%. In our test using a fast-charging station, it indeed took about 28 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%, meeting emergency charging needs. In terms of electricity consumption, the average consumption under mixed road conditions was 14.5kWh/100km, which is close to the official data.

In terms of safety features, this vehicle comes standard with 7 airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, and L2-level driver assistance (including ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, etc.). It also has a 360-degree panoramic camera system and front and rear parking sensors, providing reassuring safety performance.

Overall, the core advantage of the MG S5 EV LUX Long Range lies in its balance — spacious interior, rich configurations, solid range, and a price of RM 130,548, which gives it a competitive edge among EVs in the same segment. Compared to competitors like BYD Atto 3, its longer wheelbase offers more rear seating space. Compared to the Nissan Leaf, it stands out in terms of intelligent features and range performance. This car is suitable for families who value spatial practicality and cost-effectiveness, as well as young professionals who have long daily commutes and require reliable range.

If you are looking for a spacious, well-equipped, and range-capable electric family car, the MG S5 EV LUX Long Range is worth considering. It has no particularly significant weaknesses, and its overall performance can meet the needs of daily use, making it a practical choice.