MG MG5 Electric Standard Range

Overview

The 2021 MG MG5 Standard Range stormed onto the scene as a seriously practical electric estate, offering heaps of space without a bonkers price tag. It was one of the first truly affordable EV wagons in Europe, aiming squarely at families needing versatility. While now discontinued, this early bird makes for a compelling used buy, with examples like this Standard Range popping up for around €8,400. Its key draw? No-nonsense electric motoring with enough room for the dog, the shopping, and the kitchen sink – almost! It was a game-changer for budget-conscious EV adopters.

What's New for 2021?

The 2021 MG5 Standard Range represented the initial offering of MG's electric estate in its first full year after its 2020 debut. Being an early version, it didn't see major updates for 2021 itself as it was establishing its foothold. This particular "Standard Range" variant, produced from 2020 until 2021, paved the way for later Long Range models and facelifts. So, for 2021, you were essentially getting the launch spec car, which was already a big deal by being one of the very few affordable electric estates available to European buyers at the time.

Design & Exterior

The MG5 Standard Range sports a straightforward, function-first estate car design. It’s not trying to be a flashy SUV, and that’s its charm! You get clean lines, a practical silhouette, and likely alloy wheels as standard. The front-end featured a grille that subtly housed the charging port. Key dimensions are a city-friendly 4544 mm in length, 1818 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and 1513 mm in height, making it a breeze to park for a wagon. It’s an unassuming workhorse, built for purpose rather than posing, which many will appreciate.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the MG5 Standard Range is all about practicality. Expect durable materials and a user-friendly layout rather than plush luxury. There's decent space for five occupants. The real party trick is the boot: a generous 464 litres with the seats up, expanding to a massive 1456 litres when you fold them flat – proper estate car stuff! No frunk, though. Tech-wise, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, often with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, was typically included, keeping you connected on the go. It’s a cabin built for real life.

Performance & Driving Experience

Under the bonnet (well, floor), the MG5 Standard Range packs a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) driving the front wheels. This setup delivers a handy 115 kW of power and 260 Nm of torque, whisking you from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 7.7 seconds – nippy enough for daily duties! The driving experience is geared towards comfort and ease, soaking up bumps pretty well. It’s not a hot hatch, but it offers smooth, quiet, and surprisingly brisk progress, making it a relaxing companion. Regenerative braking helps eke out extra range.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Standard Range features a 48.8 kWh (usable) battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 292 km – plenty for most daily driving. Efficiency is rated at a decent 5.98 km/kWh. Charging is handled via a CCS Type 2 port. At home or work on its standard 6.6 kW AC charger, a full top-up takes roughly 7.5 hours. Out and about, it can accept DC fast charging at up to 87 kW, meaning a 10-80% boost could take as little as 25-30 minutes under ideal conditions.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While this specific 2020-2021 Standard Range variant doesn't have its own Euro NCAP rating documented, MG typically equipped its cars well for safety. Expect essentials like multiple airbags, ABS, and ESP. Many early MG5s in Europe came with the 'MG Pilot' suite of driver aids as standard, which often included features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Autonomous Emergency Braking. Blind-spot monitoring might have been on higher trims or optional. It's always best to check the specific features of any used model.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

MG made waves in Europe with its impressive warranty package, and the 2021 MG5 Standard Range would have benefited from this. Typically, this meant a 7-year or 150,000 km warranty covering both the vehicle and the high-voltage battery, offering fantastic peace of mind, especially against battery degradation. Powertrain components were also part of this comprehensive cover. Maintenance on EVs is generally lower than petrol cars, with fewer moving parts to worry about, making the MG5 a potentially very cost-effective car to run long-term. Reliability has been generally good for these early MGs.