New MG5 EV facelift on sale from £30,995

Britain’s fifth best-selling electric car has been revised for 2022, this is the new MG5 EV. The electric estate has been tweaked inside and out to help it compete with other family-friendly EVs such as the Volkswagen ID.3, Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

MG says order books for the facelift model are open, with first deliveries expected before the end of the year. The MG5 EV is available in two specifications, entry-level SE and top-spec Trophy. The SE kicks off at £30,995 and the Trophy starts from £33,495. 

The updates are fairly comprehensive on the outside. We can see a more aggressive front end, with a new front bumper and headlamp arrangement, as well as a tweaked rear bumper, new alloy wheels, new chrome trim for the tailgate and fresh tail-lights with a Y-shaped light signature.

MG has overhauled the interior too, with a dashboard layout featuring larger, high-mounted infotainment system. The climate controls have been moved into the central screen and there’s a fresh centre console with a new gear selector and a hidden storage tray.

As standard the SE gets the ‘MG Pilot’ driver safety system, automatic LED headlights and taillights, roof rails, a rear parking camera and adaptive cruise control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility also features. Trophy adds rear privacy glass, a leather interior with electric seat adjustment and heated front seats, automatic climate control, rain sensing wipers and a 360-degree camera. There’s also a new design of 16-inch alloy wheel for the SE and the Trophy gets 17-inch alloys.

Elsewhere there’s a new 10.25-inch infotainment screen with updated software capable of supporting iSMART functionality through MG’s smartphone app. Vehicle-To-Load has been added so now the MG5 EV is able to power electric devices such as camping equipment from the battery unit’s energy. 

Despite the cosmetic and technological changes, the MG5 EV’s powertrain remains unchanged. It’s powered by the same 61.1kWh battery pack and 154bhp electric motor, which sends drive to the front wheels and offers a maximum range of 249 miles. MG says the new MG5 EV can tow up to 500kg. 

MG does have plans for a new entry-level version of the 5 EV, though. Later in the car’s life cycle there’ll be a variant with a 50.3kWh battery, which will lower the EV’s maximum range to 199 miles. However, prices and a launch date for the new powertrain are yet to be confirmed.

What does the new MG 5 EV have to beat? Check out our list of the best electric cars on sale now…