The MG S5 EV small electric SUV is due in showrooms next month with prices in line with its BYD Atto 3 competition – all starting with a four, drive-away.
The 2025 MG S5 EV – the SUV version of the popular MG 4 electric hatch – will undercut the cheapest version of the BYD Atto 3 by $500 to $2500, and become the country's most affordable small electric SUV when it arrives in showrooms in May.
But the S5 EV is about $11,000 dearer than the run-out pricing for a comparable version of its predecessor, the ZS EV, which is a slightly smaller car with a similar driving range but DNA dating back close to a decade.
The MG S5 EV adopts the underpinnings of the MG 4 hatch, with rear-wheel drive, a single 125kW rear electric motor, and a choice of 49kWh and 62kWh battery packs using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry.
Four model grades will be available – Excite and Essence versions of each battery pack – with prices starting from $40,490 plus on-road costs, or $40,490 drive-away as part of an initial nationwide pricing offer.
The RRP is $500 higher than an entry-level BYD Atto 3 Essential ($39,990), but the drive-away offer means the MG is about $500 to $2500 cheaper in the traffic. Compared to a larger Geely EX5, the MG is $500 cheaper before on-road costs.
The MG website indicates the drive-away offer is valid until May 31, 2025, unless extended.
MG is known to frequently change or remove the drive-away offers on its cars, so be sure to check the company's website for the prices in place when you read this article.
The first 500 customers to pre-order will be offered a 7kW MG ChargeHub home charging unit for free, valued at $1199.
The flagship Essence 62 variant is currently listed for $47,990 drive-away – between about $2000 more expensive and $635 cheaper than an Atto 3 Premium, while it is $1000 to $2000 cheaper than a Kia EV3 Air Standard Range.
It represents a step up of about $11,100 over the final stock of the outgoing ZS EV, which is only listed in Long Range form under "exclusive fleet pricing" for $36,888 drive-away nationwide.
Compared to equivalent MG 4 variants, the S5 EV is about $3500 to $5000 more expensive.
The 125kW motor translates to zero to 100km/h acceleration times of 8.0 to 8.6 seconds depending on variant, as higher-grade variants are heavier and therefore slower.
Driving ranges in European WLTP lab testing are rated at 340km for the Excite 49, 335km for the Essence 49 (due to larger wheels and increased weight), 430km for the Excite 62, and 425km for the Essence 62.
DC fast charging is quoted at up to 120kW for the 49kWh battery, and 150kW for the 62kWh battery, for claimed 30 to 80 per cent recharging times respectively of 19 and 19.3 minutes.
AC home charging is limited to 6.6kW across the range. A one-pedal drive mode is standard on all models from the start, plus three further regenerative braking settings.
Standard features in the Excite include LED headlights, a 12.8-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch instrument display, fabric seats, a four-speaker stereo, non-leather steering wheel, single-zone climate control, and keyless entry and start.
The Essence adds features such as heated front seats, synthetic leather-look seat accents, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated leather steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, 360-degree camera, six-speaker audio, and wireless phone charging.
The 2025 MG S5 EV is due in showrooms in the coming weeks.
2025 MG S5 EV price in Australia
Note: Drive-away prices apply nationwide, and valid until May 31, unless extended.
2025 MG S5 EV Excite standard features:
2025 MG S5 EV Essence adds (over Excite):
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
