27/07/2025

theSunday Special XIV ON SUNDAY JULY 27, 2025

Well-thought-out interior.

Leather steering wheel.

Leather-fabric seats with perforated MG logos.

Gear shifter and electronic e-brake.

When we started the trip, the battery was at over 90%, and the system indicated a 400km range. This led us to believe that with a full charge, it could indeed achieve the stated 430km. What we didn’t account for, however, were our unscheduled stops, including lunch and a visit to GLO Durian Farm, which made a quick charging session neces sary. Fortunately, the MGS5 EV sup ports DC fast charging, capable of going from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes. When we stopped to charge at around 30% battery, it took only 15 minutes to reach 80%, more than enough to shoot us to our final destination (no pun intended). For those looking to maximise range, the car offers adjustable regenerative braking settings. This proved incredibly helpful on our return journey to Kuala Lumpur, where energy conserva tion was critical. POWER AND PRECISION Our route to GLO Durian Farm took us through steep, off-road terrain riddled with mud, gravel, and uneven surfaces. Initially, we were skeptical of the MGS5 EV’s ability to handle such conditions. Despite being a rear-wheel drive SUV, the vehicle surprised us by climbing the hill with remarkable ease and stabil ity. The MGS5 EV features a rear wheel drive layout with a five-link independent rear suspension, providing confident and com posed handling. Its DP-EPS electronic steering

Proper physical buttons.

system and XDS cornering dynamic control further contrib ute to agile maneuverability. The 47:53 front-to-rear weight distribution enhances overall bal ance, making it surprisingly capa ble on challenging surfaces. Performance-wise, the MGS5 EV delivers 170PS and 250Nm of torque, with a 0-100kph time of 8.0 seconds, more than adequate for a family SUV. On the highway, the car feels far from sluggish. It does not have the instant torque jolt of more aggressive EVs, but delivers a smooth power curve and reaches a top speed of 175kph, which is impressive for its segment. STABILITY AND SAFETY Even at high speeds, the MGS5 EV maintains impressive stability and comfort. It is engineered to meet Euro NCAP five-star safety standards, with a cage-like struc ture made from 77% high-strength steel and up to 47% ultra-high strength steel. Reinforced crash beams and a hot-formed cross beam provide additional protection for both occupants and the battery. In terms of active safety, the MGS5 EV is equipped with 16 Adas (Advanced Driver Assistance System) sub-functions, covering a wide range of driving scenarios. These include Forward Collision

Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Intelligent Headlamp Control (IHC), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), and various lane-keeping and driver-monitoring systems. For passive safety, the vehicle includes seven airbags as stan dard, including a centre airbag that enhances occupant protection in the event of a side impact. PHYSICAL CONTROLS IN A DIGITAL AGE While most modern EVs rely solely on touchscreen controls, even for basic functions like adjusting air-conditioning, the MGS5 EV stands out by including physical buttons and switches. This not only improves ease of use but also reduces driver distraction. The interior features a 12.8 inch central touchscreen, a layered dashboard design, and a clearly laid-out physical control panel. It is equipped with a flat-top and-bottom 3-spoke steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital instru ment cluster, a rotary gear knob, and a wireless charging pad. THE VOICE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET Not everything is perfect. The wireless charging pad was some what slow and tended to overheat the phone. Using the USB ports

10 to 80% charging in 24 minutes.

Comes with a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

located under the armrest proved more efficient. But the most frustrating thing with the car during our journey was the speed limit warning chime. This audible alert triggered every two minutes, and there was no way to disable it. MG has since confirmed that an upcoming soft ware update will allow users to mute this feature, something we look forward to, as the repeated warnings became quite bother some over a long trip. WORTH THE EXTRA RING GIT? At RM135,900 for the top-spec LUX Long Range, the MGS5 EV is slightly more expensive than some

competitors. However, consider ing the well-rounded feature set, thoughtful design, and impressive performance, the added cost feels justified. You’re not just paying for an electric vehicle; you’re paying for comfort, usability, and peace of mind on the road. SPECIFICATIONS MGS5 EV LUX Long Range Price: RM135,900 Motors: Single Rear Motor Power: 170PS and 250Nm Battery: 62 kWh Blade LFP Range: 430km (WLTP) Charging: 150kW DC/7kW AC We like: Physical controls. We don’t like: Speed limit warn ing.