MGS5 First Drive Review
22 Apr 2025|1,129 views
What We Like
Brisk performance with nimble handling
Spacious and roomy cabin
Practical compact SUV
What We Dislike
Love-it-or-hate-it looks
It's spacious. It may not look like it from the outside, but it's plenty spacious on the inside. If you've read my feature on the MGS5, then it sounds like I'm repeating myself, but that's what it feels like. It reminds me of my GK Honda Jazz, and how Honda managed some magic with how much interior space it managed to squeeze out of that subcompact hatchback. Sat in the driver's seat, that's what immediately comes to mind.
Split headlamps are all the rage now, and a mean-looking pair of DRLs complete the face of the MGS5
The sleek looks I feel are love-it-or-hate-it, though I do like seeing an SUV of this size go a little mean and fierce. I like seeing traces of the MG 4 on this, like a group of siblings. The MG 4 was snappy, especially when it first arrived in full untrimmed Cat B power. Considering that the MG 4 is now only offered with a Cat A-friendly 99kW output, a rear-wheel drive hatchback with access to 150kW on tap, looking back, it feels like another steal lost to hindsight. The S5 however, comes to Singapore already trimmed to a sensible 99kW stemming from its rear-mounted motor, sending power to the rear, finishing its century sprint in 9.9s.
From the rear, the MG S5 begins to differ itself from the MG 4 in size and practicality
Indulge in my imagination a little: I picture myself looking through the visor of a race helmet, hands not at ten and two but eleven and one, raring to go, blasting down... a barren, grey, carpark-like test track in the SAIC design facility in Anting, Shanghai. Still, it is a 150-ish metre by 30-ish metre open concrete area (I've had worse "test drives"). The track is in your head - you make your own course, the track lights count down, and pedal to the metal…
The MG S5 and MG ZS Hybrid + pair on the closed test track at SAIC’s Anting Shanghai Global Design Centre
It takes off rather politely, there's a slight lift, and a gentle torque curve at the start, before the single rear-drive motor whooshes you away. It's quite typical of smaller-segment EVs to mute out the power delivery like this. Better for range, they say, and also better for the components I’m sure. No manufacturer wants to admit it, but a good launch system is a horrible maintenance problem a few years later. But that's to be expected, especially in a already-Cat A EV to arrive in Singapore. 99kW is more than enough, I'll find. Let off the accelerator and the S5 doesn't bite too much. The regenerative braking menu isn't as extensive as what the Teslas used to have, but from three different levels on offer, it's good enough.
Lean on the throttle as you exit a corner, throw the tail out a little, and a smile is sure to crack on to your face in the MG S5
About 40km/h is the most tolerable speed the S5 can be tossed over some stiff bumps while occupants keep their lunch down. The five-link rear suspension in particular keeps those in the rear slightly more comfortable than the front. After the bumps is where a turn has to be made, as the track is physically contained by barriers, and that's also where the S5 begins to come alive. Through a wide curve, at a controlled pace, yank the steering wheel of the S5 far enough and it begins to pitch at just the right angle. Past the apex, pull even more, and massage the throttle, and the tail slides out with glee. Rear-wheel drive in this category is typically absent.
With enough persuasion, the S5 can spin out a lot of fun for the driver (ideally on closed and controlled tracks). When we hit the straights, with two gentle loops at either end of the track, it's here the engineers test the mettle of the 99kW motor. We're told to keep to 120km/h on the track, but I could theoretically imagine the S5 breaching 160km/h, after some heavy encouragement. Perhaps 120km/h is the right limit, as any higher speed and the wind start to batter against the glass.
The embedded 10.25” digital instrument cluster blends seamlessly into the dashboard. With physical air con vents and control dials, the mix of digital and analog is ideal
When not burning rubber, the S5 is calm, with a black leather interior with minimalist touches. The aircon vents are thankfully physically adjusted, surrounded by soft touch material. The door handles contrast nicely in silver, and the above-dash upholstery is a standard grey. The 10.25-inch embedded instrument panel gives the MG 5 its futuristic vibe, while the aircon controls and buttons on the middle, down the central column feel relatively conventional car-like, if not for the spin-dial gearshifter also found in other MG models.
Will the spacious practicality and tail-happy attributes be enough for the MG S5 to make a name for itself?
The MGS5 presents a practical, usable, 420km WLTP-range compact SUV to the market, with a unique bit of fun that most others in the price range are unable to offer. It's no coincidence that the first units to hit Singapore are already pegged for Category A COE, and its certainly a carefully crafted strategy backed by an eager principal. The MGS5's stakeholders are eager for the model to take off, but the question will be at what price they're willing to go to.
What We Like
Brisk performance with nimble handling
Spacious and roomy cabin
Practical compact SUV
What We Dislike
Love-it-or-hate-it looks
It's spacious. It may not look like it from the outside, but it's plenty spacious on the inside. If you've read my feature on the MGS5, then it sounds like I'm repeating myself, but that's what it feels like. It reminds me of my GK Honda Jazz, and how Honda managed some magic with how much interior space it managed to squeeze out of that subcompact hatchback. Sat in the driver's seat, that's what immediately comes to mind.
Split headlamps are all the rage now, and a mean-looking pair of DRLs complete the face of the MGS5
The sleek looks I feel are love-it-or-hate-it, though I do like seeing an SUV of this size go a little mean and fierce. I like seeing traces of the MG 4 on this, like a group of siblings. The MG 4 was snappy, especially when it first arrived in full untrimmed Cat B power. Considering that the MG 4 is now only offered with a Cat A-friendly 99kW output, a rear-wheel drive hatchback with access to 150kW on tap, looking back, it feels like another steal lost to hindsight. The S5 however, comes to Singapore already trimmed to a sensible 99kW stemming from its rear-mounted motor, sending power to the rear, finishing its century sprint in 9.9s.
From the rear, the MG S5 begins to differ itself from the MG 4 in size and practicality
Indulge in my imagination a little: I picture myself looking through the visor of a race helmet, hands not at ten and two but eleven and one, raring to go, blasting down... a barren, grey, carpark-like test track in the SAIC design facility in Anting, Shanghai. Still, it is a 150-ish metre by 30-ish metre open concrete area (I've had worse "test drives"). The track is in your head - you make your own course, the track lights count down, and pedal to the metal…
The MG S5 and MG ZS Hybrid + pair on the closed test track at SAIC’s Anting Shanghai Global Design Centre
It takes off rather politely, there's a slight lift, and a gentle torque curve at the start, before the single rear-drive motor whooshes you away. It's quite typical of smaller-segment EVs to mute out the power delivery like this. Better for range, they say, and also better for the components I’m sure. No manufacturer wants to admit it, but a good launch system is a horrible maintenance problem a few years later. But that's to be expected, especially in a already-Cat A EV to arrive in Singapore. 99kW is more than enough, I'll find. Let off the accelerator and the S5 doesn't bite too much. The regenerative braking menu isn't as extensive as what the Teslas used to have, but from three different levels on offer, it's good enough.
Lean on the throttle as you exit a corner, throw the tail out a little, and a smile is sure to crack on to your face in the MG S5
About 40km/h is the most tolerable speed the S5 can be tossed over some stiff bumps while occupants keep their lunch down. The five-link rear suspension in particular keeps those in the rear slightly more comfortable than the front. After the bumps is where a turn has to be made, as the track is physically contained by barriers, and that's also where the S5 begins to come alive. Through a wide curve, at a controlled pace, yank the steering wheel of the S5 far enough and it begins to pitch at just the right angle. Past the apex, pull even more, and massage the throttle, and the tail slides out with glee. Rear-wheel drive in this category is typically absent.
With enough persuasion, the S5 can spin out a lot of fun for the driver (ideally on closed and controlled tracks). When we hit the straights, with two gentle loops at either end of the track, it's here the engineers test the mettle of the 99kW motor. We're told to keep to 120km/h on the track, but I could theoretically imagine the S5 breaching 160km/h, after some heavy encouragement. Perhaps 120km/h is the right limit, as any higher speed and the wind start to batter against the glass.
The embedded 10.25” digital instrument cluster blends seamlessly into the dashboard. With physical air con vents and control dials, the mix of digital and analog is ideal
When not burning rubber, the S5 is calm, with a black leather interior with minimalist touches. The aircon vents are thankfully physically adjusted, surrounded by soft touch material. The door handles contrast nicely in silver, and the above-dash upholstery is a standard grey. The 10.25-inch embedded instrument panel gives the MG 5 its futuristic vibe, while the aircon controls and buttons on the middle, down the central column feel relatively conventional car-like, if not for the spin-dial gearshifter also found in other MG models.
Will the spacious practicality and tail-happy attributes be enough for the MG S5 to make a name for itself?
The MGS5 presents a practical, usable, 420km WLTP-range compact SUV to the market, with a unique bit of fun that most others in the price range are unable to offer. It's no coincidence that the first units to hit Singapore are already pegged for Category A COE, and its certainly a carefully crafted strategy backed by an eager principal. The MGS5's stakeholders are eager for the model to take off, but the question will be at what price they're willing to go to.
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- Design
- Driving Impressions
- Interior
- Conclusion
