MG5 Electric: The Budget-Friendly Station Wagon

Rare in the car market, station wagon body styles are making a comeback and becoming more accessible thanks to the new MG5 electric starting at €32,490.

The electric car is spreading rapidly, but its distribution is uneven. It often occupies the high-end niche or many SUVs. Some models are trying to break with the trend, such as the Chinese manufacturer MG.

A true station wagon, but with a sedan trunk

It must be said that the English company, owned by Chinese SAIC Motor, had heavily invested in SUVs. After the electric ZS EV and the plug-in hybrid E-HS, MG launched the Marvel R at the end of 2021, a high-end electric SUV. It is returning to its senses by releasing an entirely new body style. The lineup now includes the MG5, an electric station wagon. It is the second of its kind on the French market, after the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

If you are interested in the automotive world, this car won’t be unfamiliar to you. It is a rebadged version of the Roewe Ei5 launched in 2018. At 4.60 meters long, the station wagon is in the dimensions of the Peugeot 308 hybrid station wagon. But it offers only a 479-liter trunk, expandable to 1,367 liters. We still expected better; the French rival claims 548 liters with just 4 cm more space.

Two batteries, two chemistries, two ranges

Two different models make up the lineup, with specific battery capacities and motors. The MG5 Standard Range adopts a 50.3 kWh LFP (Lithium Fer Phosphate) pack, a chemistry known for performance, allowing for a range of 320 km, at a lower cost. It features a 130 kW (177 hp) motor, unlike the 115 kW (156 hp) of the Extended Range MG5.

This second variant emphasizes endurance, thanks to lower consumption, at 17.7 versus 17.9 kWh/100 km. It also includes a larger 61.1 kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) chemistry battery for better range. It can thus cover 400 km according to the WLTP cycle.

Both configurations have the same torque of 280 Nm, and the same towing capacity of 500 kg. Performance-wise, they are also similar, with a top speed of 185 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 8.3 seconds.

Both MG5 batteries come standard with an 11 kW charger, which is a good feature. However, the maximum power on a fast charging station is only 87 kW. This should still allow charging up to 80% in about 40 minutes, according to MG. Good to know, the MG5 is V2L-compatible (Vehicle to Load), meaning it can supply up to 2,500 watts of electricity. The cable, however, is optional.

An MG5 electric station wagon at the price of a ZOE

The major advantage of the MG5 electric is its price. The entry ticket starts at €32,490, for the Standard Range version. The station wagon thus competes directly with Renault ZOE from €32,000 or the Peugeot e-208 starting at €33,250.

The station wagon stands out with its interior space and trunk capacity but may not necessarily excel in range. With a 320 km base, it lags behind the French rivals, only reaching 395 km with the Extended Range version at €35,490.

What about the equipment? Standard features include adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, a 10-inch central screen with GPS, digital displays, a rearview camera, and heated front seats. Here is a comparison with the two city cars:

The lineup continues with a second “Luxury” trim, whose range drops to 310 and 380 km respectively. The reason? The addition of 17-inch wheels (compared to 16), automatic climate control, electric seats, along with a 360-degree camera and faux leather upholstery. For this level, add €1,500.

Availability in March 2022

Below is a summary of the 2022 MG5 electric lineup, excluding eco-bonus of €6,000:

Orders have already begun, but deliveries will start in France in March 2022. The manufacturing of the electric station wagon is carried out in China, as are the batteries, which are from CATL. The warranty is close to the Kia standard—7 years or 150,000 km, batteries included.

Also read: Renault Mégane E-Tech electric: info, prices, and photos of the hatchback