A few weeks after its presentation, MG launches its ES5 in China. This electric SUV based on the MG4 starts at €15,000 there, but its price in Europe should be higher. Still, it should remain affordable, here’s why.
The MG brand has been present in our region for a while now, and the least we can say is that it is a hit with its compact, the MG4. But if the Chinese firm is targeted by a drastic increase in customs duties, it continues to believe in the European market.
A new affordable SUV
At the same time, the manufacturer is also continuing its development in its native country, having just announced the prices for its latest creation. This is the new MG ES5, an electric SUV replacing the ZS EV that we know at home. This newcomer is not entirely new, since it had already been revealed a few weeks earlier. But nowit now formalizes its prices.
And the least we can say is that these are really not high. Indeed, on its site, the Chinese firm indicates that the entry-level version starts from only 116,900 yuan, which is equivalent to approximately 15,200 euros according to the current exchange rate. A particularly low amount, which could however become much higher when the car arrives on the European market, again because of the increase in taxes on electric cars produced in China.
But then, what are we entitled to on this particularly affordable variant? You should know that this, like the rest of the range, has chosen to opt for LFP (lithium – iron – phosphate) batteries, a much more affordable technology than NMC (nickel – manganese – cobalt). For information, the latter is notably used on certain versions of the MG4.
Thus, this technological choice benefit directly from the displayed price for the recently unveiled ES5 SUV, which even takes the opportunity to become cheaper than the MG4 (which starts at 139,800 yuan) with which it shares its platform. This bodes well for its European prices.
In its cheapest version, it has the right to a 49 kWh accumulatorwhich offers it a range of up to 425 kilometers according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. What gives approximately 361 kilometers with European WLTP approval, more realistic.
For customers wanting better autonomy, another battery the 62 kWh is also available, enough to offer a range of 515 kilometers CLTC (around 440 kilometers WLTP).
In both cases, the battery powers a rear motor 170 horsepower for a torque of 250 Nm. Recharging level, you have to count 21 (for the large battery) and 26 minutes (for the small) to go from 30 to 80%. A technical sheet which is nothing exceptional, therefore.
A wide choice of finishes
In total, no less than five versions are offered in the catalog of the electric SUV, but none is currently equipped with all-wheel drive.
Note that the car is compatible with standard V2L bidirectional charging. For the record, the new MG ES5 displays relatively compact dimensions, since it measures 4.48 meters long and 1.85 meters wide and 1.62 meters tall. This allows it to compete head-on with family SUVs, such as the Renault Scénic E-Tech, the Volkswagen ID.4 or the Peugeot E-3008.
The electric SUV also displays a fairly generous wheelbase of 2.73 meters. Enough to comfortably accommodate passengers, while the trunk volume is between 462 and 1,423 liters.
The driving position is quite classic but technological. We indeed find a 15.6-inch central touch screen, which reminds us of what Tesla offers but also of the VinFast VF8 that we were able to try. It is associated with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
If orders are open in China, we will have to wait a little longer to see it arrive in Europe, where it will replace the aging ZS EV. See you in a few weeks to discover its European prices, even if you will surely have to count around 30,000 euros for the access price.
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