MG S5 EV Owner Review: Living with the 64kWh Trophy Long Range

Although the MG S5 EV is my very first pure electric car, I wasn’t a complete stranger to plug-in motoring or the MG badge. Prior to this, I was driving an MG HS Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV). What really sealed the deal on upgrading to the all-electric late-2025 (75-plate) MG S5 EV Trophy Long Range was an unbeatable part-exchange offer from the dealership: I was offered a massive £10,000 off the list price when trading in my MG HS PHEV!

At that price, stepping into a brand-new, top-spec electric SUV with the larger 64kWh battery and a comprehensive 7-year warranty made complete sense.

Vehicle Specifications 

• Make & Model: MG S5 EV (MGS5) Trophy Long Range 5dr SUV Auto

• Exterior Colour: White (Dover White with Silver Roof Rails & Privacy Glass)

• Platform: MG Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) with Rear-Wheel Drive & 5-link rear suspension

• Battery Capacity: 64kWh gross (approx. 61.7kWh usable Lithium-ion)

• Power & Torque: 231 PS (170 kW / 228 bhp) / 350 Nm, Rear-Wheel Drive, 1-Speed Automatic

• 0–60 mph / 0–62 mph: 6.2 seconds (6.3 seconds to 62 mph)

• Official WLTP Range: Up to 288 miles (Combined)

• Charging Speeds: 7kW / 11kW AC and up to 140kW DC rapid charging (10–80% in approx. 26 minutes)

• Key Trophy Trim Features: 18-inch alloy wheels, 360-degree parking camera, heated front seats and steering wheel, power tailgate, wireless smartphone charger, keyless entry with walk-up automatic start, 12.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and MG Pilot safety suite.

On the Road: The Positives, Favourite Tech & Best-Kept Secret

Having covered between 1,000 and 5,000 miles so far, the S5 has proven to be an impressively refined and capable daily driver:

• Whisper-Quiet Refinement: One of the first things you notice is just how quiet and peaceful the cabin is on the move.

• Selectable Driving Modes & Sporty Pace: My favourite piece of technology on the car is the choice of driving modes—and Sport mode in particular! Because the Trophy Long Range sends 231 PS (170 kW) to the rear wheels, putting it into Sport mode unleashes a 0–60 mph sprint in just 6.2 seconds, which is seriously brisk for a practical family SUV.

• Effortless Keyless Operation: If you ask me what the best-kept secret about the MG S5 is, it’s the seamless keyless entry and automatic start-up. Being able to simply hop in with the key in your pocket and drive away without fumbling for a start button makes everyday life that little bit easier.

The Negatives: What Could Be Better?

Overall, the car has been completely fault-free with zero reliability issues since the day I collected it. If I had to pick one downside, it is the drop in winter range when the colder British weather sets in—something all electric vehicle owners have to factor in compared to mild summer driving.

Battery Performance & Real-World Range

The 64 kWh battery feels every bit as fresh and responsive as day one, with no noticeable changes in charging rates or capacity.

During the warmer summer months, the range is genuinely impressive. From a standard 80% charge, I comfortably achieve an average of around 250 miles, which is more than enough for my sub-5,000-mile annual driving routine.

Home Charging at a Park Home & Running Costs

Because I cover under 5,000 miles a year, I do 100% of my charging at home and have never needed to use the public charging network. I have a dedicated home wallbox installed right outside on my driveway, which works without a hitch—no complaints whatsoever.

My electricity setup is slightly different from a traditional house: I live in a park home, which means my electricity is supplied via the site owner (who purchases the main supply from British Gas). Even without access to a specialist overnight EV tariff, I pay a flat rate of 24p per kWh. Compared to the sky-high pump prices of petrol and diesel, charging at 24p per kWh still saves me a significant amount of money—and on top of the fuel savings, both servicing and car tax costs are much lower too.

The only area where costs are stubbornly high is car insurance. As with most electric vehicles right now, premiums aren’t cheap. Even though I have over 20 years of No Claims Bonus, my annual policy is still pricey—though at 80 years of age, I suspect my age bracket plays just as big a part in that quote as the car itself!

(Prices correct as of November 2026)

What’s Next on My EV Radar?

As I’ve only had my MG S5 EV for less than a year, I have no plans to trade in my keys anytime soon.

That said, looking across the wider car market, I am thoroughly impressed by how the latest wave of Chinese brands—such as MG, BYD, Jaecoo, and Omoda—are shaking things up by offering such generous levels of standard equipment and technology for a genuinely fair price.

Review by Ian Brown