As advice, I’ve always found “Keep it simple, stupid” to have great merit. And the practical new five-seater all-electric MG5 EV station wagon has clearly been designed with this maxim in mind.
Because while cars are getting more and more complicated, the new zero-emission MG5 is really easy to drive. Its back-to-basics approach means that its limited but perfectly sufficient number of available functions is simple to use.
There are only two finish options. I drove the top-spec, 17-wheel Trophy, which costs £33,495 – £2,500 more than the £30,995 SE version.
The controls are simple and there’s a 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment screen on the dash, along with a 7-inch digital driver display behind the steering wheel.
It’s a surprisingly lively engine, especially in ‘sport’ mode, which joins ‘comfort’ and ‘eco’, and is regulated at the flick of a switch. An easy-to-use dial adjusts drive and reverse.
Back to basics: the MG5 is a refreshing take on the all-electric family estate
Both versions are powered by a 115kW electric motor, equivalent to 156bhp, enabling rapid acceleration from rest to 30mph in 3.2 seconds and up to 62mph in a swift 7.7 seconds.
Both also have a ‘long-range’ battery capacity of 61.1kWh (of which 57.4kWh is usable); the Trophy version’s range of 235 miles is 15 miles less than the lower SE. There’s plenty of flexible station wagon boot space that expands from 479 liters with all seats up to 1,367 liters with the rear seats folded down.
Driver assistance and safety features include adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist; active emergency braking with detection of pedestrians and bicycles; lane keeping assistance and detection of speed limit signs. Charging via a plug-in port in the front grille is simple and takes around ten hours – or overnight – on a 7kW AC home wall charger.
Charging to 80% will take between 35 minutes on a 150kW high power charger (of which there are few) or 61 minutes on a 50kW version.
It’s a surprisingly lively engine, especially in ‘sport’ mode, which joins ‘comfort’ and ‘eco’, and is regulated at the flick of a switch.
Controls are straightforward and there’s a 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment screen on the dash, plus a 7-inch digital driver display behind the steering wheel
Both versions are powered by a 115kW, 156bhp equivalent electric motor, enabling quick acceleration from rest to 30mph in 3.2 seconds and up to 62mph in a swift 7.7 seconds
The classic MG brand, founded in the 1920s and now Chinese-owned, offers affordable electric cars that won’t break the bank
Charging to 80% will take between 35 minutes on a 150kW high power charger (of which there are few) or 61 minutes on a 50kW version
Drivers of the new MG5 EV also now have access to a new iSmart app
There’s plenty of flexible estate boot space that expands from 479 liters with all seats up to 1,367 liters with the rear seats folded down
My Trophy version with perforated leather-style upholstery and fairly decent dash and door styling had a 360-degree parking camera which came in really handy during a tight maneuver, as well as heated front seats, air conditioning automatic, heated power-folding exterior mirrors, rear privacy glass and auto-dimming interior mirror.
Along with improved styling and a choice of six colors, drivers of the new MG5 EV also have access to a new iSmart app that lets you schedule battery charging (to take advantage of cheaper rates), to preheat or cool the car before you enter, to connect via hot-spots, to receive live updates.
All cars come standard with a 6-speaker audio system, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, and a fully transferable 7-year/80,000-mile warranty.
With the Crufts dog show starting next week, there’s plenty of room for dogs too.
The first-generation MG5 model that the new car replaces was the fifth best-selling electric vehicle in 2022.
The classic MG brand, founded in the 1920s and now Chinese-owned, offers affordable electric cars that won’t break the bank. And although built overseas, they are designed in Marylebone, London.
Peugeot 508 facelift
Peugeot’s large 508 saloon and SW station wagon have been given a makeover to sharpen their looks and boost their technology – just in time for the new ’23’ number plate which arrived on Wednesday.
Most obvious is the bold new grille which houses the revamped lion’s head badge.
Bold: the new grille houses the revamped lion’s head badge
Peugeot claims to have raised the quality and modernity of the materials, in particular premium upholstery and a more ergonomic gearbox control.
The 10-inch infotainment screen now runs the company’s latest advanced i-Connect software, which comes with a powerful TomTom-connected navigation system.
There are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options on the fastback, estate and sport hatchback variants
Peugeot claims to have raised the quality and modernity of the materials, in particular premium upholstery and a more ergonomic gearbox control
Peugeot says: “For optimal readability, the map can be displayed on a complete central screen.
There are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options in the fastback, estate and sport hatchback variants. They will go on sale in June from around £35,000.
‘Complete upgrade’ for Volkswagen ID.3
Volkswagen has refreshed its ID.3 electric tailgate with “a complete upgrade” after some early issues and criticism.
The redesign, just two and a half years after the launch of the original, uses higher quality materials and the latest generation of assistance systems. The zero-emission compact car also has a sharp exterior.
New look: the redesign uses higher quality materials and the latest generation of assistance systems
The color palette has expanded, with new shades including Dark Olivine Green.
Sales Manager Imelda Labbe said, “With the second generation ID.3, the design has matured and the materials inside have been significantly improved.
The zero-emission compact car has a sharp exterior
It’s one of ten electric models that VW will launch by 2026
“It demonstrates our commitment to quality, design and operability, and we have consistently considered our customers’ wishes.”
It is one of ten electric models that VW will launch by 2026.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on it, we may earn a small commission. This helps us fund This Is Money and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any business relationship to affect our editorial independence.
