The 2025 MG S5 replaces the ZS EV with a ground‑up electric platform shared with the MG 4, rear‑wheel drive as standard, and a cabin that feels a class up on MG’s older stuff. In Australia it arrived in late April and hit showrooms through May, bringing sharp drive‑away pricing and a features list that reads like a mid‑spec from bigger‑name rivals. Think practical family EV first, budget badge second.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Rear‑drive balance, roomy boot, tidy energy use in real‑world Aussie driving, generous equipment for the money.
Cons: No ANCAP rating yet, WLTP range depends a lot on wheel and battery choice, and ride can feel firm on sharp edges.
How Much Does It Cost?
MG S5 price starts at $40,490 drive‑away for the Excite 49. The range stacks like this: Excite 49 $40,490; Essence 49 $42,990; Excite 62 $44,990; Essence 62 $47,990. Those figures were confirmed at launch in late April, with deliveries kicking off in May. MG S5 release date for Australia therefore sits April-May 2025.
Features and Benefits
Even the Excite nets LED lighting, 10.25‑inch digital cluster, 12.8‑inch touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring, sat‑nav, iSmart app, climate with rear vents, V2L and keyless entry. The Essence adds 18‑inch alloys, panoramic glass roof, power tailgate, wireless charging, heated front seats and a 6‑speaker audio system. This is the kind of kit list that makes first‑time EV buyers feel spoiled.
2025 MG S5 features worth calling out day‑to‑day: physical HVAC toggles that are easy to hit on the move, big bottle‑friendly door bins, and a flat rear floor so three across is doable in a pinch. Cargo space is 453 L with seats up and up to 1,441 L with them folded.
Safety
An ANCAP score is not yet published. Standard MG S5 safety features include AEB, adaptive cruise, blind‑spot monitoring, lane‑keeping and departure warnings, rear cross‑traffic assist, safe exit warning and seven airbags. Essence adds a 360‑degree camera. The MG Pilot Custom function lets you store your preferred intervention levels so you are not turning the same alerts off every trip.
Running Costs
All variants use a single rear motor with 125 kW and 250 Nm, and you can choose either a 49 kWh or 62 kWh battery. Official consumption is listed at 171 Wh/km for the Essence 62, and early Aussie testing has observed approximately 15.8 kWh/100 km, which is encouraging for a small SUV. DC fast charging claims are 30-80 percent in about 19 minutes for both batteries, thanks to 120 kW (49 kWh) or 150 kW (62 kWh) peak rates.
MG backs the car with a 10‑year/250,000 km warranty, which is one of the longest in the segment. Service interval and pricing details were still being finalised at launch, but MG’s recent EVs have offered simple, low‑touch maintenance.
Comparison To Its Competitors
MG has aimed the S5 straight at the BYD Atto 3, Kia EV3, Geely EX5, Chery Omoda E5 and Leapmotor C10, while also overlapping price‑wise with popular petrol SUVs like RAV4, CX‑5 and Tucson. The S5 undercuts several EV rivals on drive‑away pricing and brings rear‑drive dynamics and a bright, modern interior that feel more grown‑up than the outgoing ZS EV. If you want the plushest ride and the longest range, some rivals still have advantages, but if your priority is value, cabin space and easy charging speeds, the MG is right in the sweet spot.
2025 MG S5 EV Review: Design, Pricing and Features, Plus Real‑World Efficiency
Conclusion
The 2025 MG S5 is the most convincing MG SUV sold here so far. It gets the fundamentals right: space, spec, smooth driving manners and a price that makes EV ownership feel normal. It will not thrill keen drivers like an MG 4 XPower, and range hunters may still shop elsewhere, but for most families it lands in a very comfortable, very sensible middle lane. If you are moving up from a small hatch or downsizing from a large SUV, put it on your test drive list.
Rating: 8/10
Strong value, friendly tech and thoughtful packaging carry it. A confirmed ANCAP score and a touch more ride compliance would push it higher.