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The replacement for the MG ZS electric SUV is inching closer to sale in Australia.
The latest development is that MG has achieved approval to sell a new electric model in Australia. Known as the ES5 in China, we’re expecting it to be called the MG S5 EV on its Australian release in the second quarter of 2025.
In China, the S5 EV was revealed in Ministry of Industry and Information, Technology (MIIT) filings in July this year before being fully revealed for its home market in October.
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The big difference between MG’s new electric small SUV and the model it replaces are its underpinnings. Sitting on the same MSP platform as MG’s successful MG4 hatch, the new S5 SUV should be less compromised than its trailblazing predecessor.
MG’s new model will go up against a growing, but still compact, selection of rivals including the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona electric and Renault Megane E-Tech. A host of new brands, including Zeekr, Geely, XPeng, Deepal and more are likely to enter the fray as well.
Local details remain scarce, however we can draw some conclusions from approval documents that list three battery packs: 49kWh or 62kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries along with a 64kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) chemistry.
Only the larger, 64kWh pack exists in MG’s current range in the MG4 64 models. The other batteries appear to be new. In China, a single 125kW/250Nm electric motor is available, but there may be a punchier 150kW or 180kW option, as per Australian MG4s.
Driving ranges are listed at 425km and 525km in CLTC for the two battery packs. In the more stringent WLTP that will probably fall to around 340km and 430km, respectively.
The smaller LFP pack will be the price-leader for the new S5 EV. It seems strange to offer the choice of LFP or more expensive NCM in almost identical capacities, so it’s likely MG will only pick one. The NCM would enable faster DC charging.
Additionally, there are two trim levels, listed as ‘Com’ and ‘Lux’ trims, complied. As we saw in the new MG3 and HS, it’s likely that these internal names will morph into an Excite base trim and Essence flagship.
Think Excite having similar equipment levels to the MG4, so cloth manual-adjust seats, a basic sound system, perhaps 17-inch alloy wheels.
The up-spec, likely the Essence, will probably add synthetic leather upholstery, leather-appointed steering wheel, heated and power adjustable seats. A sunroof is also likely, being listed in compliance documents.
Pictures show a few features of the new Porsche Macan EV in the front end, especially the headlight placement. It references some of MG’s other models but is still very different in appearance to the new MG ZS hybrid recently launched in Australia.
The other noteworthy feature of the S5 EV is its brake-by-wire system with no hydraulic connection between brake pedal and calipers.
The S5 is larger than the ZS EV it effectively replaces, at 4476mm long and 1849mm wide with a generous 2730mm wheelbase.
Pricing will be key for the MG S5 EV to succeed against its rivals, and MG has demonstrated how steep price cuts can drive significant sales. In October, for example, the MG4 outsold Tesla’s EV range thanks to a huge drive-away discount on the base models.
As the S5 EV is bigger than its MG4 sibling, expect a higher price. An entry-level model could kick off in the low $40,000 range, with up-spec, longer range models pushing about $50,000.
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