TARRA, MUST DASH

with that because of the simplicity and ease of use of the controls. We’re testing the dearer Exclusive which comes with leather-style upholstery, heated front seats, sat nav, roof rails and automatic wipers.

I’d save two and a half grand and stick with the entry level car. Not least because the satnav isn’t brilliant and since both trim levels come with Apple Carplay and Android Auto you can use your phone for navigating.

Roof rails aren’t a good idea on an EV anyway, they add drag.

Which brings us neatly onto range. The MG 5 SW is fitted with a 154bhp electric motor that’s powered by a 52.5kwh battery of which 49kwh is usable. Again, the MG thrashes its nearest price rivals including the ZS. The claimed WLTP range is an impressive 214 miles.

You can charge the MG using a rapid charger via a Ccs-style connector at a maximum rate of 50kwh – which means you can take the battery from zero to 80% in 50 minutes. In theory.

I’m sure EV drivers will know it’s not always possible to achieve ‘book figures’ for recharging. I used a rapid charger on this and in half an hour had only added about 20kw.

Although the 5 SW is made in China – like all MGS – the UK engineering centre has an input so the cars are set up for our roads.

So this is a car that is comfortable over bumps and impressively quiet.

Although it’s an estate, the MG5 SW isn’t a big one. The luggage bay holds 464 litres with the seats up which is only average. And surely fitting a few luggage restraints or tie downs

Its styling is nowhere near as cool as the Mokka but just look at the saving

Peugeot e-2008 Active Premium

A great looker but can’t match the MG on price.

Been around a while now but has a decent range. Considerably slower than the MG.

Citroen e-c4 Shine

It’s new and it’s stylish. Equals the MG on range and not massively more expensive. wouldn’t have cost a packet? It’s easy to find fault with this MG. The styling is nowhere near as cool as the new Vauxhall Mokka’s or the Peugeot e-2008, but as we said at the outset it all comes down to cost – and with the MG being many thousands cheaper than the Peugeot it’s a big saving.

MG knows its market and the MG5 SW hits the spot perfectly.

It’s quiet, has a good range, is comfortable over bumps and gives a traditional estate car choice that’s currently unique in the electric vehicle world.

If MG keeps making cars this good when it comes to value, the success story will continue.

Volkswagen will celebrate the 45th birthday of the Golf GTI with a special edition of its GTI Clubsport model. It will be called simply the Clubsport 45.

We haven’t tested the GTI Clubsport (we are about to) but it has an extra 55PS over the standard GTI, which means a power output of 300PS, larger air intakes at the front, a roof spoiler and sports exhaust.

The 45 edition adds a black roof and the option of a Race package, plus numerous ‘45’ badges dotted around the car.