New MG S5: 7 alternatives to consider instead of this cheap electric SUV

The MG S5 is an electric SUV to be genuinely excited about. Built using the same underpinnings as the brilliant MG4 hatchback, the MG S5 promises to be spacious, well equipped, have decent range, interesting tech and offer great value. The MG4 has all these attributes and costs around £26,000.

What is the MG S5?

The MG S5 is an electric SUV set to replace the worthy-but-dull ZS EV and will be fully revealed later this spring. MG has shown a couple of teaser images for the S5 but for a better idea of what it will look like, take a look at the ES5 (below) – which was unveiled in China last year – and of course there will be a family resemblance to the MG4.

How much will the MG S5 cost?

Officially, there is no word from MG about S5 prices but given that the ZS EV costs around £30,000 you can expect the new car to be similarly priced.

As there are so few details about the S5 right now, that’s the perfect opportunity to see what alternatives are available. Here are seven MG S5 alternatives for you to consider.

1) Kia EV3 – the best one

The Kia EV3 is one of the best electric cars you can buy right now. Sure, it costs more than £30,000, but it looks great, is practical and even the cheapest versions have an official range of 270 miles. It’s not perfect – a super-useful heat pump that improves range in cold weather is only available in the most expensive models and the interior feels cheap in places. But as an all-rounder there’s a lot to love about the EV3.

2) Citroen e-C3 – the cheapest one

The e-C3 is smaller, cheaper and has a lower range than the S5 is likely to, but there are few better budget EV SUVs around. It’s comfortable, has a decent sized boot and while an official range of 199 miles isn’t anything to write home about, provided you have a home charger, it should be enough for most people’s daily needs. Like the MG, it is cracking good value.

3) MG4 – the lower-down one

Do you really need a high-riding SUV when you have the option of the brilliant MG4 hatch? It’s great value for money, there are versions that have over 300 miles of range, and it’s seriously sharp looking too. Factor in that it’s available on Carwow right now with an average discount of nearly £10,000 and it’s a tempting proposition.

4) BYD Dolphin – the well-equipped one

There are loads of decent Chinese electric cars right now – yes, in case you didn’t know, MG is a Chinese-owned company – but the BYD Dolphin is one of the best. It is stacked full of kit, is spacious and is keenly priced too. Sure, it doesn’t have the SUV styling you may be looking for and interior quality is patchy but it’s a cheap EV you should have on your shortlist.

5) Peugeot E-2008 – the stylish one

Peugeot is making some of the coolest looking cars right now and if smart looks and a sharp interior are top of your requirements for a cheap electric SUV, the E-2008 will tick lots of boxes for you. But other alternatives have longer ranges, better infotainment systems and are a bit roomier.

6) Skoda Elroq – the sensible one

Skoda is known for making practical and sensible cars – and that’s exactly what you get with the Elroq. Expect it to do everything you need your car to do and it will do those things very well indeed. It just won’t be very exciting when you do it.

7) Used Jaguar I-Pace – the unexpected one

Left-field choice… You can get a sporty, premium electric SUV with OK range and a luxurious interior for a hefty £10k less than theMGS5. The catch is that you will be looking at a four year old model, rather than a brand new one. But the I-Pace is a different take on the “lot of car for not a lot of cash” modus operandi of the forthcoming MG S5.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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