What is the S5 EV? It’s a rubbish name, for starters – one that only makes sense if you think very hard about it. It’s effectively the taller, chunkier version of the 4 hatchback, using the same rear-drive dedicated EV platform.
In other words, it’s what the Renault Scenic is to the Renault Megane. As such, it’s also the indirect successor to EV version of the MG ZS, which has recently entered a petrol- and hybrid-only second generation.
At 4476mm long and 1633mm tall, the S5 is noticeably bigger in all directions than the 4 and very much in line with the Scenic and Skoda Elroq.
Underneath, it’s mostly familiar from the 4. It launches with the same two battery packs as that car did.
The Standard Range has a 47.1kWh LFP battery and a 177bhp motor for 211 miles of range, while the Long Range has a 62.1kWh NMC battery and gets a slight power boost to 228bhp. That gives it 298 miles of official range in SE trim or 288 miles in Trophy trim.
There’s no mention of an Extended Range version yet, but we do expect the S5 to get the 74.4kWh battery as well.
MG says there are new bearings to reduce rolling resistance for better efficiency, but otherwise the technical make-up is the same as before, with MacPherson struts at the front, a multi-link arrangement in the rear and rear-wheel drive.
Visually, the S5 takes some inspiration from the MG Cyberster sports car, with a split lower grille. Meanwhile, the dual-level headlights and rear light bar are straight out of the 2023 car design handbook.