The Thuringian Forest is one of those places that naturally invites quiet contemplation. Twisting roads disappear into spruce, shaded hollows, and at dawn, mist clings to the treetops like reluctant memories. It was here, between Oberhof’s sinuous stretches and the stark ridgelines of Rennsteig, that I took the MG 5S EV for a thorough test. Not a car you’d expect to turn heads, but precisely because of that, it caught mine.
This wasn’t my first drive through Thuringia, but it was the first time I was behind the wheel of something so… unconcerned with impressing. The MG 5S doesn’t raise its voice. It doesn’t shout numbers or design. But like the forest we drove through, its strength lies in quiet resilience and calm performance. Beneath its demure shell, however, lives a genuinely capable EV that punches far above its price tag.
Let’s get into the car, the journey, and everything I learned between Eisenach and Neuhaus am Rennweg.
The Silent Architecture of Value
It’s hard to believe this SUV sits under the 40,000, euro bracket when you first ease into the driver’s seat. The MG 5S EV doesn’t scream premium, but the materials, build quality, and ergonomic layout suggest maturity. It’s not trying to be Tesla’s flamboyant cousin; instead, it feels like someone who’s dressed appropriately for every occasion without making a fuss.
The first thing I noticed was the impressive flatness of the battery floor. No hump, no awkward angles. The shared platform with the MG4 means the 5S benefits from a completely electric, optimized chassis. That gives it a roomy cabin feel, particularly for rear passengers, who enjoy good legroom thanks to a 2.73, meter wheelbase.
Driving through Thuringia’s twisting forest paths, the SUV’s width never made it feel bulky. At 4.48 meters long, it hits that compact, SUV sweet spot, and its well, balanced proportions kept it from feeling like a compromise.
Technical Specifications
To uphold data integrity, we exclusively use MG’s official site for all technical information.
| Specification | MG 5S EV (Standard / Extended Range) |
| Battery Capacity | 49 kWh / 64 kWh |
| Power Output | 170 hp / 231 hp |
| Torque | Up to 350 Nm |
| Acceleration (0, 100 km/h) | 6.3 seconds (Extended Range) |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h |
| Drivetrain | Front, wheel drive (permanent magnet) |
| WLTP Range | Up to 480 km |
| Charging (AC) | 11 kW |
| Charging (DC) | 120 kW (Standard), 139 kW (Extended) |
| Length x Width x Height | 4.48 m x 1.84 m x 1.56 m |
| Wheelbase | 2.73 m |
| Trunk Capacity | 453, 1441 liters |
| Price (Germany) | from €37,990 |
The Real, World Rhythm of the Thuringian Switchbacks
From the very first hairpin after leaving Suhl, the 5S EV revealed its character, not flashy, but firmly planted. I was expecting some understeer, especially with that front, wheel drive layout, but the steering feedback was genuinely impressive for a car in this segment. It’s precise without being twitchy and light without feeling vague. The weight distribution, aided by the floor, mounted battery pack, gives a surprisingly composed ride through uneven forest roads.
With the extended, range model’s 231 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, overtakes were never a stress, even on tighter B, roads. The throttle mapping is gentle but confident, clearly calibrated with comfort and predictability in mind. This isn’t a performance EV, and MG doesn’t pretend otherwise. It’s designed to be smooth, trustworthy, and efficient.
But it’s quick when you ask. Accelerating from a standstill on a forest road incline, it hit 100 km/h in just over six seconds, enough to startle a nearby cyclist. Even then, there’s no drama. The power comes on linearly, and there’s never any harsh tug from the drivetrain.
Inside the Cabin: Familiar, Functional, Friendly
I’d call the cabin minimalist, but not in the Scandinavian sense. It’s honest and undistracting. There’s a physical volume knob, bless MG’s designers, and buttons for climate control. That alone would earn it points with anyone who’s spent the last few years jabbing at touchscreens in the cold.
The seats are well, bolstered but not stiff, with good lumbar support for long drives. Over the nearly 300 km I covered between Schmalkalden and Lauscha, I didn’t feel the usual EV fatigue I sometimes get from stiffer, more tech, driven interiors. Visibility is strong all around, and the interface is intuitive. The 10.25, inch touchscreen runs without lag, and wireless Apple CarPlay worked without a hiccup.
There are three trims, Standard, Comfort, and Luxury, and while my tester was the top, spec version, even the base model doesn’t feel stripped. You get the important features regardless: adaptive cruise control, lane, keep assist, rear camera, and an efficient heat pump for winter driving.
However, the one fly in the ointment was the overzealous ADAS suite. Like many Chinese EVs, the MG 5S EV feels a little too eager to ding, ping, and flash its warnings. Lane departure feedback, especially on tight roads like the ones near Lichte, bordered on annoying. I eventually muted most of it.
Range, Charging, and Efficiency
The real test of any EV isn’t what it promises, but what it delivers. Over a full day of driving through Thuringia, with steep climbs, sharp descents, and a mix of rural and autobahn segments, I averaged 17.2 kWh/100 km in the larger battery version. That’s respectable given the terrain and spirited pace.
MG quotes up to 480 km of WLTP range, and in normal mixed use, I’d expect around 400 km to be realistic with the 64 kWh battery. On the Autobahn, driven at speeds between 120, 150 km/h, range drops rapidly, but the car remained impressively quiet even above 160 km/h.
I stopped at a 150 kW EnBW charger near Ilmenau, and the car went from 18% to 80% in just under 35 minutes. The peak DC charge rate hovered around 130 kW for a few minutes, not quite cutting, edge, but entirely acceptable at this price. AC charging at 11 kW worked flawlessly overnight at my guesthouse near Oberhof.
The Utility Side: Boot Space, Ride Comfort, and Daily Suitability
The MG 5S EV is clearly aimed at small families. With a boot that swallows 453 liters and expands to over 1400 liters, it handled my camera gear, a folded gravel bike, and my overnight bag without complaint. The loading lip is slightly high but flat.
Suspension tuning is on the softer side, which pays off. Cobblestone paths in small towns like Zella, Mehlis barely fazed the chassis. Yet even when we hit unpaved forest maintenance roads near Tambach, Dietharz, there was no creaking or rattling. The body shell feels tight, and the damping is polished for a vehicle at this price point.
Noise isolation deserves a special mention. On some particularly coarse sections of the B88, road noise was subdued. There’s no fake spaceship sound, no weird motor whines, just a mature, calm EV doing its job without complaint.
Conclusion: Quietly Brilliant, Just Like the Forest Around It
The MG 5S EV didn’t surprise me with outlandish tech, shocking speed, or outrageous design. It surprised me with restraint. With focus. With competence.
In a world obsessed with standing out, this car blends in, but it does so with elegance. It’s a car that feels confident in its own shoes. From the chilled morning light on the Rennsteig trail to the neon blur of the late, night Autobahn, it never once felt out of place.
The MG 5S EV is, frankly, the most sensible electric SUV I’ve driven under €40,000. And in many ways, that makes it remarkable.
Is the MG 5S EV available in all EU countries?
Yes, MG has distribution across major European markets including Germany, France, Netherlands, and Norway. Availability of trims may vary slightly.
Does the MG 5S EV support vehicle, to, load (V2L) or bi, directional charging?
As of now, the 5S EV does not offer V2L functionality like some Korean competitors. Future updates may change that.
How does the MG 5S compare to the MG ZS EV?
The 5S is not just a successor but a serious upgrade. It rides on a proper EV skateboard platform, offers more space, and vastly improved refinement.
