the ‘charging station’ that all of the Netherlands has been waiting for
The MG 5 is the first and (for now) affordable electric station wagon. The car the whole of the Netherlands has been waiting for?
it was originally intended to offer the MG 5 station wagon for less than 30,000 euros, but with 33,985 euros we can ultimately be satisfied. At first glance, the MG with its larger dimensions, larger battery and larger standard equipment seems to be a better choice than many at the same time in this price range, but is that really the case?
A middle class, but electric
The outer dimensions are those of a middle class station wagon, a Golf from Opel Astra. But the battery, which is mounted in the floor, takes up a lot of the interior space.
That meets the luggage space only 479 liters, which rather belongs to a station wagon from a segment smaller. In addition, the rear seat backrest cannot be laid completely flat on the seat, so that the total available volume is not particularly large for a car of this size. The high bench also limits headroom in the rear. That is sufficient for a length of approximately 1.85 meters. Legroom is slightly more, but because of the high floor you also need that space to find a comfortable seating position. The seating position is also curiously high in the front for the same reason. Almost also you are in a crossover. Furthermore, the seats of the MG 5 are reasonable in size and fit.
The interior consists of a material mix and finish for this money. The design is playful due to the use of many different colors and (plastic) materials. Thanks to a digital dashboard and an easy-to-operate infotainment system, it also looks modern. On every 5, navi, air conditioning, light metal, a package of active safety systems, an 11 kW on-board charger and LED lighting all around, for example, are already standard.
The MG 5 gets two types of batteries
The MG 5 comes with two types of batteries and capacities. The ‘Standard Range’ with 177 hp and 280 Nm and 320 kilometers of range from a 50.3 kWh battery, and the Long Range with 156 hp, 280 Nm and a 61.1 kWh battery, which officially covers 400 kilometers. We have only been able to drive the Long Range, and estimate that the realistic range, depending on use and temperature, is between 200 and 400 kilometers. Fast charging from five to eighty percent battery fill, according to MG, takes about 40 minutes with a peak speed of 87 kW. That’s not particularly fast by modern standards.
For a station wagon in this class, it is neatly done in terms of driving characteristics. Due to the large 17-inch wheels, some comfort is lost in the first part of the suspension travel, but behind that there is still enough damping to realistically absorb the car. The weight of the battery is clearly present in the back of the car, so with a fully charged car you may be a bit short. Furthermore, the MG 5 drives in average. Of course, the driving mode selection also includes a smoother or, conversely, lazier response to the power pedal. But also in sports, the power is carefully introduced to prevent wheelspin. The regenerative braking is adjustable with a separate button, from long coasting to almost a pedaling ride.
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