First Impressions: MG S5 - The enthusiast’s EV you might be sleeping on

KUALA LUMPUR: The convoy of MG S5 EVs glided out of Sungai Penchala like a fleet of silent bullets, heading east towards Kuantan. It was early morning, the sun barely peeking through the haze, but there was already a sense of anticipation in the air.

MG Malaysia pulled out all the stops for this media drive, sending a fleet of top-spec MG S5 Lux Long Range EVs through the chaos of city traffic, the legendary twists of the Karak Highway, an unexpected off-road detour for fresh durian, and the endless straights of the East Coast Expressway.

Also Read: MG S5 EV now available at dealerships nationwide, prices start from RM115k

It was the kind of drive that could make or break an EV, especially one as new to the Malaysian scene as the MG S5.

And here’s the thing: the MG S5 is a bit of an oddball in the best possible way. It doesn’t shout for attention like some other EVs. It doesn’t try to woo you with gimmicks or shock you with a price tag that screams “budget car.”

Instead, it quietly, confidently proves that an EV can be genuinely fun to drive—an enthusiast’s EV, if you will. The problem is, I can’t help but feel that many might overlook it simply because there are cheaper options out there. But that’s their loss.

A Rear-Wheel-Drive EV that can handle some off-road? Yes, Please.

Let’s start with the part that made the Karak Highway an absolute delight: rear-wheel drive. While most EVs in this price range go the front-wheel-drive route (probably for packaging and cost reasons), MG decided to stick the motor at the back where it belongs if you want a car that feels alive.

The 170 PS and 250 Nm from its rear-mounted motor isn’t neck-snapping, but it’s enough to make highway overtakes smooth and confident.

But it’s the balance of this car that impressed me most. There’s an inherent sweetness to the way it handles—something you just don’t expect from an affordable family EV.

Throw it into Karak’s long, sweeping bends and the S5 settles in with composure, its Bridgestone Turanza T005 tyres gripping faithfully while the steering offers just enough feedback to remind you that you’re not driving an appliance.

 

The suspension tune deserves credit, too. MG has nailed the balance between ride comfort and handling precision. Over rough patches and highway undulations, it feels solid and controlled, yet when you push it through a twisty section, there’s an agility that makes you smile.

For an EV, which usually means lugging around extra battery weight, the MG S5 handles itself with impressive grace.

When MG told us there’d be a durian stop, we thought, “Okay, cool, probably a roadside stall, quick grab-and-go situation.” What we didn’t see coming was a 20-minute detour that felt like an audition for the Rainforest Challenge(okay, this might be an exaggeration, but it was still surprising what MG Malaysia wanted us to go through with the S5).

 

Instead of a simple pitstop, we found ourselves winding up a rugged mountain track, the kind of road that usually makes you thankful for big, knobby tyres and a pickup truck. And yet, there we were—in an electric SUV—laughing as the MG S5 soaked it all up like it was born for a little mischief.

The suspension? Smooth and composed. The grip? Surprisingly solid, with barely a hint of slip even on the loose stuff. And the ground clearance? Let’s just say we didn’t wince once, because nothing scraped.

Sure, no one’s suggesting you turn the S5 into your weekend off-roader. But after that unexpected jungle detour, it’s comforting to know that if life throws a random mountain-durian adventure your way, the MG S5 will roll up its sleeves and say, “Let’s do this.”

Driving with no care for efficiency (and still doing okay)

EV efficiency is one of those topics that people like to obsess over. “What’s the consumption?” “How far can it go?” Well, during our media drive, efficiency wasn’t the top priority—we were having fun.

The air conditioning was blasting full power to fight the Malaysian heat, the car was fully loaded, and our highway cruising speeds were, let’s say, “enthusiastic.” Also it was one of the hottest days we had experienced in recent times.

Even with all that, the S5 returned an energy consumption of about 19 kWh/100 km. That’s actually respectable, considering the conditions.

Its 62 kWh LFP battery gives it a WLTP-rated range of 430 km, which translates to around 350–380 km in real-world Malaysian highway conditions. To simply put it, you can pretty much do Kuantan straight to Kuala Lumpur in one shot without needing to charge it. 

Speaking of charging, the car supports 150 kW DC fast charging, meaning you can go from 10% to 80% in just 26 minutes. That’s pretty much a toilet and drink break, and you’re ready to roll again.

A cabin that just works

Step inside, and the MG S5 makes a strong case for itself. The interior design is refreshingly straightforward—everything you need is exactly where you expect it to be. In a world where some EVs bury basic functions behind layers of touchscreen menus, MG gets it.

Physical buttons for the air conditioning, and even side mirror adjustments? Yes, it has it! It’s such a small thing, but it shows that MG understands how drivers actually use their cars.

The 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen is big, crisp, and responsive, and I like how uncluttered the interface is. It’s like walking into a posh restaurant with a short menu—maybe there aren’t 500 options, but every item is exactly what you want. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster ties everything together neatly.

As for space, the S5 is decently roomy. There’s a 453-litre boot that expands to 1,441 litres with the seats folded. The cabin feels airy, helped by the panoramic sunroof.

Though if we’re being brutally honest, the Proton e.MAS 7 does offer more outright interior space for a lower price. That said, the S5 doesn’t feel cramped. It’s sized just right for young families or those who want a practical daily without feeling like they’re driving a big vehicle.

Design that’s handsome, not shouty

From the outside, the MG S5 strikes a balance that many EVs miss. It doesn’t look overly futuristic or weird for the sake of being different. It’s just… handsome. The proportions are spot-on, with a low, sporty stance, LED headlamps with ‘Racing Flag’ DRLs, and a LED rear light bar that looks premium at night.

An MG S5 in Dynamic Red, looked especially good—a classy colour that shifts with the light. The 18-inch two-tone alloys complete the look, and they’re wrapped in Bridgestone Turanzas that quietly do their job without making the ride harsh.

Safety and tech – No shortcuts here

MG has gone all-in on safety. The S5 packs 7 airbags, a 360-degree camera, and a full suite of ADAS features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and auto high beams. It even has tyre pressure monitoring, which many competitors skip at this price point.

And for those who like using their EV as a power bank on wheels, the S5 comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality. Plug in your camping stove, laptop, or even charge another EV if you’re feeling generous.

Price and value – The Elephant in the Room

Here’s where things get tricky. The MG S5 Lux Long Range is priced at RM136,548 (on-the-road without insurance). For the first 500 buyers, there’s an early bird promo of RM130,548, which includes a RM6,000 rebate and a free 7 kW wallbox for home charging.

On paper, it’s not a bad deal considering what you get: a well-built RWD EV with premium features, great handling, and respectable range. But the Malaysian EV market is brutal right now. There are cheaper options—some from our own backyard—that offer more space or a longer spec sheet for less money.

The MG S5, though, isn’t trying to be the cheapest EV. It’s carving out a niche for those who actually care about how a car drives. And in that sense, it’s more of a driver’s car than most other EVs under RM150k. If you value ride quality, handling balance, and a premium driving feel over just ticking feature boxes, the S5 deserves a closer look.

The Sleeper Hit?

As we pulled into Kuantan after hours of driving, I realised something: the MG S5 had won me over not because it’s the best value-for-money EV, but because it’s one of the few EVs in its segment that feels like it was designed for drivers. It doesn’t just get you from point A to point B—it makes the journey enjoyable.

Will it win over the masses? That’s hard to say, especially when Malaysians tend to be price-sensitive. But for those who get behind the wheel and take it through something like Karak’s twisty climbs, they’ll understand. The MG S5 is proof that even in this brave new electric world, driving pleasure isn’t dead.

Also Read: MG S5 EV launched in Malaysia – RWD EV SUV from RM115k, up to 430 km range