First Impressions: Silent Ambition
The moment I slid behind the wheel, the MGS5 EV made its intentions clear. The doors closed with a premium thunk, the seats hugged my back like an old friend, and the cockpit gleamed with a minimalist layout that whispered confidence.
The display powered on in silence, lighting up a wide touchscreen with sharp graphics and an intuitive layout. No lag. No bloat. Just clean, fast response. Temperature dials were physical, thankfully, and everything else was neatly layered into the UI. MG may have borrowed this design cue from Tesla, but they executed it with German-level attention to detail.
I set the navigation to the Brocken summit and watched the system not only lay out the route but preload battery conditioning and include charging stops automatically. This wasn’t just smart. It was thoughtful.
Climbing the Brocken: The Mountain Makes You Honest
As the ascent began, so did the test. Switchbacks. Steep climbs. Wet patches where dew hadn’t yet dried. The MGS5 Long Range, with its 170 kW (231 HP) motor and 350 Nm of torque, tackled each incline like a seasoned climber pacing himself.
Acceleration wasn’t brutal, but it was there, clean and unyielding. Press the pedal down and you feel the torque surge, especially in Sport mode. The 0-100 km/h sprint may be quoted at 6.3 seconds, but on those tight mountain curves, it was the roll-on power between 40 and 80 km/h that mattered. And the MG delivered with confidence.
The suspension was tuned more for comfort than raw edge. That became clear as I rounded a particularly rough cobbled turn and the chassis absorbed the bumps without letting them rattle my spine. A family cruiser, yes, but one that doesn’t mind dancing a little when asked.
The steering, though, was the only misstep. Even in Sport mode, it lacked the feedback I craved. Not lifeless, but numb. Functional, yes. Communicative? Not quite.
But up on the Brocken, with the wind howling past and the valley sprawling beneath me, I found myself less concerned with sportiness and more in awe of how whisper-quiet the cabin remained even at altitude, with gusts slamming into the side panels.
Inside the MGS5: A Space for Real Life
After parking near the old Brockenbahn railway station, I had time to explore the interior more thoroughly. It struck me then how mature this car feels. The dashboard materials are soft to the touch, the stitching neat and unobtrusive. The center console is logically laid out, with useful cubbies and no unnecessary gimmicks.
Rear seat access is excellent, low floor height and wide door openings. I tried it out myself, crouching in with my gear. Once inside, I found knee room generous even with the driver’s seat set to my six-foot frame. Three adults in the rear might be pushing it, but two adults and a child? Perfect.
The boot swallowed my hiking backpack, tripod, and camera gear with room to spare. At 453 liters standard and 1,441 liters with the seats folded, the MGS5 offers serious practicality without ballooning into a boat-sized SUV.
Real-World Range and Charging: The Truth in the Tarmac
Descending the Brocken, regenerative braking was my silent companion. Set to high, the system let me cruise downhill with minimal use of the brake pedal. It recouped a good chunk of energy, too, I started the climb at 82% and reached the base again at 65%, after covering 62 km round-trip with elevation.
MG claims up to 490 km WLTP range for the Long Range Comfort model. In reality, my day of mountain climbs, spirited sprints, and idle camera stops ended with an average consumption of 16.2 kWh/100 km. That’s very close to their 15.5-16.0 kWh/100 km official figure, and with 62.1 kWh usable battery, it realistically translates to about 385-400 km on real-world mixed terrain.
Charging, however, is where the MG still has some catching up to do. With a peak DC rate of 139 kW, it’s fine, but not fast. A Hyundai Ioniq 5 or VW ID.4 can charge faster. That said, the charging curve was fairly stable during my stop at a 150 kW Ionity station, 10% to 80% in about 32 minutes, just shy of the promised 28 minutes.
Specs That Matter: MGS5 EV Long Range Luxury
| Specification | MGS5 EV Long Range Luxury |
| Motor Power | 170 kW / 231 HP |
| Torque | 350 Nm |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Acceleration | 0-100 km/h in 6.3 sec |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h |
| Battery (Net) | 62.1 kWh |
| WLTP Range | 465 km |
| Charging (DC) | 139 kW (peak) |
| Charging (AC) | 11 kW |
| Trunk Volume | 453L / 1441L max |
| Curb Weight | 1,800 kg |
| Warranty | 7 years / 150,000 km |
| Price | €44,990 |
Everyday Electric: A Family EV That Finally Gets It Right
The more time I spent with the MGS5 EV, the more it felt like a product built around actual users, not just showroom metrics. It’s not about gimmicks or overdesign. This car knows what it wants to be: a reliable, well-equipped electric SUV that won’t break the bank and won’t bore you either.
With its long-range capability, comfortable ride, thoughtful features, and honest pricing, it’s hard to argue against its practicality. And the fact that it didn’t flinch once on Germany’s most mythical peak? That’s the icing on the cake.
Final Thoughts: The Challenger That Belongs
MG has nailed the fundamentals. The MGS5 EV doesn’t try to outshine German brands with flash, it competes with clarity. Where others rely on heritage or hype, MG is relying on execution. It’s bold. It’s smart. And most importantly, it’s ready.
The Brocken was just a proving ground. But for everyday families across Europe, this might just be the EV they’ve been waiting for.
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