The MG 5 is one of the cheapest electric cars on sale, and the only electric estate, but is it any good? We're living with one to find out...

mg 5 long-term test

The car MG 5 EV Exclusive Long Range Run by Kiall Garrett, senior videographer

Why it’s here To see whether an electric estate car can support the practicality needs of What Car?’s videographer while getting him around the country with relative ease

Needs to be Spacious, have enough range to travel to far-flung film shoots, and be comfortable to drive

Mileage 8295 List price £31,995 Target Price £31,679 Price as tested £30,495 Test range 167 miles Official range 250 miles

25 September – Need for Speed: MG 5

What’s the best electric car you can buy for £30,000? It’s a good question, and one we plan to answer in a feature you’ll shortly be able to read in our magazine, and watch on our YouTube channel.

I’m not going to reveal any spoilers now, but I can tell you that the MG 5 was one of the contenders in this megatest.

As part of it, the 10 cars we assembled took part in a drag race. Sure, that might not be hugely relevant for people spending this sort of money on an electric car – but it was interesting.

mg 5 long-term test

And how did the MG 5 get on? Well, as I’ve said, no spoilers, but I can reveal a few details, including the performance data we got on the day.

Unfortunately I was behind the camera, so it was left to a colleague to enjoy pedalling the MG 5.

The first problem encountered was that of traction – or rather the shortage of it. We were on a low-grip, pretty poorly surfaced runway, so flooring the accelerator to send the MG 5’s full 152bhp and 192lb ft of torque to the front wheels led to the traction control system cutting in to tame the wheelspin. As a result, the car rather bogged down off the start line.

The remedy to this, we found, was turning the traction control off; do not try this at home.

mg 5 long-term test

For the first sprint with traction control turned off I was filming on the start line of our drag race right next to the MG 5, and it was quite a spectacle to behold.

As the metaphorical lights went green, the front tyres absolutely lit up, spinning wildly, throwing up grit from the surface in all directions, and squealing like the front row of a One Direction concert. The wheelspin was the kind you’d see on a car stuck in the mud moving absolutely nowhere. But the MG 5 wasn’t stuck; it was still able to move forwards at quite a pace with front tyres that looked like Catherine Wheels. Eventually farther down the runway the tyres found some traction and propelled the MG over the quarter-mile finish line.

We repeated this test a number of different times using a number of different settings for the MG 5, but we found the quickest way was indeed showing no mercy to the accelerator pedal and actually allowing the wheels to spin.

mg 5 long-term test

Now, the numbers. MG reckons this electric estate can cover 0-60mph in 7.3sec. On our runway it managed 0-60mph in 7.0sec. And remember this was not on pristine Grand Prix-spec asphalt.

To be honest, it is a little concerning how easy it is to dramatically spin up the front wheels of the MG 5. But on the public road, leaving the traction control safely on will mean you don’t encounter this problem, and it will still feel quite nippy in the acceleration it offers.

The bad news from the day was that all this fun spinning the wheels didn’t do much for the tyre tread. In my next update I’ll tell you exactly how bad things got and what we had to do about it.

Keyword: MG 5 long-term test

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line (2023) Review - A Fashion Statement Hatchback

The current generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class has a lot going for it and has stepped up to the task in full compared to the previous generation. Do the normal non-sporty variants hold up though? Interior & Space There was a time when a specific subset of the car-buying public moaned that ...

View more: Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line (2023) Review - A Fashion Statement Hatchback

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53, 63 Return Showing Final Design Under Camo

The hot convertible seen in these new spy photos has a charging port in the rear bumper.

View more: Mercedes-AMG CLE 53, 63 Return Showing Final Design Under Camo

MG Gloster Vs Toyota Fortuner Legender Price, Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison

MG Gloster Vs Toyota Fortuner Legender Price, Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison In this MG Gloster vs Toyota Fortuner Legender comparison, we’ll look at the variant-wise prices, engine specs, dimensions and features to help you decide which car you should buy. MG Gloster Vs Toyota Fortuner Legender Price Comparison Let’s ...

View more: MG Gloster Vs Toyota Fortuner Legender Price, Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison

MG Revives Entry-Level ZS EV Excite and Slashes Prices Across the Range for 2024

MG has announced a range of price cuts for the ZS EV battery-electric SUV lineup, with the company reviving its entry-level ZS variant while applying price cuts as significant as $6,000 for the flagship long range variant. After announcing the entry-level ZS would be axed from the lineup earlier this ...

View more: MG Revives Entry-Level ZS EV Excite and Slashes Prices Across the Range for 2024

Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé: Elevating Sportiness and Luxury

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has unveiled the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé, enhancing the sporty aesthetics and interior luxury of this already successful model. Engineered for Performance The GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé offers a thrilling driving experience thanks to its 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine with a Twin-scroll turbocharger. Through a software ...

View more: Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé: Elevating Sportiness and Luxury

2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe now in Malaysia, RM873,888

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today unveiled the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe which is priced at RM873,888 on the road without insurance. The basis for the sporty driving experience in the GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé is provided by the 435 hp 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine with Twin-scroll turbocharger. ...

View more: 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe now in Malaysia, RM873,888

MG Gloster Vs Volkswagen Tiguan Price, Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison

MG Gloster Vs Volkswagen Tiguan Price, Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison In this MG Gloster vs Volkswagen Tiguan comparison, we’ll look at the variant-wise prices, engine specs, dimensions and features to help you decide which car you should buy. MG Gloster Vs Volkswagen Tiguan Price Comparison Let’s first look at ...

View more: MG Gloster Vs Volkswagen Tiguan Price, Engine Specs & Dimensions Comparison

The New Mercedes-AMG GT Track Car Comes With Underwear

The machine has a Push2Pass feature that temporarily boosts the output to 739 hp.

View more: The New Mercedes-AMG GT Track Car Comes With Underwear

Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4Matic (2023) review - Lightning in a jar

First Bespoke Electric AMG Could Have Nearly 1,000 Horsepower

Citroen C3 Aircross Vs MG Astor – Top Variant Feature Comparison

Watch Hybrid Mercedes-AMG S63 Hit 186 MPH In Autobahn Blast

Mercedes-AMG GT4 EV Spied For The First Time As Porsche Taycan Rival

Mercedes-AMG Introduces GLE 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+

2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Hybrid: Looking at the Distant Horizon

Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Plug-In Hybrid Comes With A Lot More Power

Honda Elevate Vs MG Astor - Top Variant Feature Comparison

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance first drive video review

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Convertible Is No Softie In New Spy Shots

Watch Us Drag Race Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 And Porsche Taycan 4S

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel