MG 5 Long Range

Competitively priced electric estate gets a handy range boost Price from £28,995 On sale Now

JUST LIKE WHEN a smartphone is refreshed to increase its appeal, the all-electric MG 5 is now available with a bigger battery and extra tech, in what Samsung might call a Plus edition. In fact, it’s called the Long Range and its enlarged battery’s 57kwh usable capacity officially keeps it going for up to 250 miles – 36 miles up on the entry-level 48.8kwh version and farther than most electric cars for this kind of money.

With the same 154bhp electric motor as other MG 5s, performance is unchanged, but then acceleration was never lacking; there’s enough power going through the front wheels for the traction control light to flash like Morse code if you’re enthusiastic with your right foot.

Taking it easy makes sense anyway, because while the steering is precise and there’s a reasonable amount of grip, the MG 5 isn’t a car that puts fun first. You’ll be rewarded with a comfortable ride, thanks to soft but wellcontrolled suspension.

Although there’s some whine from the motor when you’re accelerating, things quieten down at a cruise. Little noise is kicked up by the suspension on bumpy roads, either.

The MG 5’s estate car shape gives it more interior and boot space than most other electric cars in this price bracket. Conventional estates such as the Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia are even roomier, though – as is MG’S similar-priced ZS EV SUV.

Interior quality is better than you might expect, with a smattering of soft-touch materials. The MG can’t match the less practical Mazda MX-3O in this area, though, and its infotainment system is disappointing.

Perhaps most importantly, the Long Range gives you safety tech that you don’t get in other MG 5s, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control, rounding off what is a surprisingly complete package at the price.

SAYS Spacious, comfortable and full of features, plus great value given its impressive range