Summary
The MG 5 (styled as the MG5) was the first all-electric estate car to go on sale in the UK when it launched in October 2020. It was updated in 2022 and discontinued in early 2025.
Offering a lower price of entry to electric car ownership than most EVs on sale at the time, the MG 5 was an important contributor to MG’s renaissance as a value-driven electric brand, as the British manufacturer refined its strategy of undercutting the prices of rival cars.
The MG 5 didn’t really have much competition when it was on sale, and still doesn’t have much as a used car. The EV estate market is still tiny as manufacturers roll out cookie-cutter SUVs instead.
A few months after the MG 5’s launch, MG also released a Long Range variant, which increased the battery range to roughly 220 miles.
The MG 5 received mixed review scores from the UK media over its production life, although they did improve after the car’s 2022 facelift. The revised model featured dramatically different front-end styling and an upgraded interior infotainment system, but there were no significant mechanical differences. There was also a significant jump in starting price, as all models were the Long Range version.
“If you need a practical car but you’ve been put off all-electric models by high prices and fussy looks, look no further than the MG 5”, said Carbuyer‘s Tom Jervis, pointing to the car’s spacious interior and competitive electric battery range.
As of August 2025, the MG 5 has a Used Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 72%. It scores top marks in every category except media review scores, which were generally poor. But it should be cheap to run as a used car, and benefits from MG’s seven-year new car warranty.
MG 5 highlights
- Roomy, family-friendly interior
- Low running costs
- Respectable battery range
- Good standard of equipment
- Great value for money
MG 5 lowlights
- Rivals are more fun to drive
- Alternatives can charger quicker
- Not as sporty as MG 4 hatchback
- Rivals have higher interior quality
Key specifications
Body style: Medium-sized estate
Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
Price when new: From £30,995 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: Summer 2022
Discontinued: Spring 2025
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“In these financially straitened times, is the MG 5 all the EV you need? It certainly makes a good case for itself, with plenty of kit for your cash and a serene urban driving experience. However, it’s not as nice at motorway speeds and it’s yet to be safety rated by Euro NCAP.”
Model reviewed: Trophy
Score: 7.2 / 10
Read full review“With a 250-mile range, sizable boot and keen pricing, MG’s all-electric estate car offers great value for money.”
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift)
Score: 8 / 10
Read full reviewMore reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Trophy Long Range (facelift)
Score: 8 / 10
“The updated MG5 EV is slightly more expensive than before, but it brings worthwhile updates. It gets great tech and smarter styling inside and out, all without compromising the previous car’s strong points: practicality, affordability and efficiency.” (Sean Carson)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want a cheap electric car then the new MG 5 EV deserves serious consideration. It’s not glamorous, even compared with the electric ZS SUV, but the no-frills approach means it combines solid range with vast amounts of space, strong levels of equipment.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Facelifted model
Score: 8 / 10
“Fresher, MG 4-inspired styling helps bring the looks up to date somewhat while improved onboard tech and adoption of the bigger Long Range battery as standard equipment help offset the price increase. Even taking these into account the MG 5 is still cracking value if you need a spacious electric car that puts usefulness first.” (Dan Trent)
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: (2022)
Score: 7 / 10
“MG’s popular and practical EV estate receives a sharp new look and improved interior.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift)
Score: 6 / 10
“There was never anything truly wrong with the way the old MG 5 drove, so this facelift focusing on the styling and interior seems well-targeted. This is still a good EV and in a class of one if you’re after an all-electric estate car. Its biggest problem? The new MG 4…” (Tom Wiltshire)
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“This latest MG5 doesn’t bring any particular flair in terms of styling, but as a down-to-earth, no-nonsense EV it really does make a solid case for itself.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Facelift range
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The MG5 EV is another electric family car from the British-Chinese brand that proves making the switch to electric can be affordable” (Tom Jervis)
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: EV
Score: 9 / 10
“The MG5 offers a lot of value for money and plenty of practicality. It’s hard to get excited about its looks, though.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.5 / 10
“An acceptable range, plenty of estate practicality and a fair amount equipment for the price, the MG 5 is the most sensible of sensible cars. In a good way.”
Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: SW Exclusive
Score: 8 / 10
“MG knows its market and the MG5 SW hits the spot perfectly. It’s quiet, has a good range, is comfortable over bumps and gives a traditional estate car choice that’s currently unique in the electric vehicle world. If MG keeps making cars this good when it comes to value, the success story will continue.”
Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: Exclusive
Score: 7 / 10
“It may not have the driving dynamics of estate offerings from other brands, but the MG 5 is highly practical and seriously good value. For budget brand buyers that don’t care about driving and want a cheap-to-run electric estate, the 5 is perfect and to that end we think MG will win over many fans.”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“MG’s sensible electric estate has been refreshed inside and out with sharper styling and better infotainment, but it still won’t break the bank.” (Ellis Hyde)
Read review
Model reviewed: Facelift range
Score: 8 / 10
“Refreshed looks and updated infotainment promise to further increase the appeal of MG’s sensible electric estate.”
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview (facelift range)
Score: 7 / 10
“The facelifted MG5 brings a little more glamour and technology to an already great package. It no longer looks such a bargain though, and the legendary comfort suffers if you choose the posher Trophy version.”
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed:
“The MG 5 is lighter than many EV’s, has good performance, a sensible range and offers a practical estate body. It is also well priced and comes with an excellent 7 year warranty.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The MG 5 is an electric estate car with a big boot, long warranty and affordable price tag. There’s nothing else quite like it on the market – it’s priced about the same as a Fiat 500 Electric, yet it’s practical enough to be your main family transport, while its 250-mile range ought to be enough to make buyers think twice about petrol alternatives.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s got a big boot, can travel 250 miles between charges and won’t cost a lot to buy or run. There’s a lot to like, it’s just a shame it’s not remotely stylish.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
The MG 5 offers generous levels of standard kit; sensible real-world range; and an agreeable ride and handling balance.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Trophy Long Range
Score: 8 / 10
“The MG 5 EV is now a very complete and well-judged car. By and large, this update has been hugely positive. It’s resolved several of the issues that previously took it from a four-star rating down to three, and while it has introduced a few more niggles that prevent it from topping the class, they are vastly outweighed by the improvements. The 5 EV is roomy, fun to drive and great value; you can now add ‘comfortable’ and ‘smartly finished’ to that list. MG has certainly been paying attention – and it has paid off.” (Alex Robbins)
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“This longer-range MG 5 EV appeals as no-frills electric transport but with prices coming down all the time, is it too costly?”
Read review
Model reviewed: SW Exclusive
Score: 8 / 10
“Being first into the market for small, battery-powered estates doesn’t necessarily make the MG 5 EV a great car, but it’s hard to deny it’s workmanlike and competent. It’s no slouch either, while delivering a refined and comfortable ride.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: EV
Score: 6 / 10
“The MG 5 is the first EV estate on the market, and a good value one too.”
Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.7 / 10
“The new MG5 EV Facelift isn’t a huge leap forward from the previous Long Range overall, but its improvements are in key areas. It looks better, the interior is much neater and more contemporary, and the practicality is equally good. The infotainment is vastly improved. The MG4 EV may have taken the MG5 EV’s value crown, but it’s a very competent EV for the money even at the slightly increased price.” (James Morris)
Read review
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The MG 5 was never assessed by Euro NCAP during its production life.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The MG 5 was not assessed by Green NCAP during its production life.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the MG 5 would likely have scored very highly in Green NCAP testing had it ever taken place.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 243 miles | B |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.9 m/KWh | D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 30 | C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £142 | A |
| Year 2 | £377 | A |
| Year 3 | £622 | A |
| Year 4 | £743 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,029 | A |
| Overall | £2,913 | A |
According to data supplied by our partners Clear Vehicle Data, the MG 5’s battery range and efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) are quite competitive, particularly when you factor in its affordable pricing.
Insurance costs are about average, while scheduled servicing and maintenance costs are very good.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of August 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG 5 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the MG 5, we’ll publish the score here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the MG 5
| Overall rating | A | 97% |
| New car warranty duration | 7 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 80,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
MG’s new car warranty is one of the best in the new car market. Although the MG 5 is now out of production, every used car on the market should still be under the new car warranty unless it has exceeded the mileage limit.
The duration is seven years, with a limit of 80,000 miles. This is good news for both new and used car buyers, as it gives used car buyers confidence that they are covered for years to come.
In addition to the overall new car warranty, battery components benefit from an additional eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. This is pretty much standard for all new EVs on sale in the UK, but is an extra reassurance that petrol and diesel cars don’t get.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the MG 5 has received
2023
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Small Car
2022
- Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for Dog Owners
2021
- Business Car Awards – Best Value Car
- Electrifying.com Awards – Best Value EV
- WhichEV? Awards – Best Value EV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the MG 5, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën e-C4 | Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia Niro EV | Kia Soul EV | MG ZS | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Skoda Octavia iV plug-in | Tesla Model 3 | Toyota Prius Plug-In | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volkswagen ID.3
More information
More news, reviews and information about the MG 5 at The Car Expert
Buy an MG 5
If you’re looking to buy a used MG 5, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more























