MGS5 EV Trophy Long Range test drive

TedB

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Bracknell, UK
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Had a test drive in an MGS5 EV Trophy Long Range today and it was very interesting to compare with my current MG4 EV Trophy Long Range. The S5 was much improved on the inside with better finish and materials. Central display was larger and much clearer. Seats were more comfortable and suspension was better on bumpy road surfaces. Steering felt the same.

However, despite the S5 having 30 PS more than the 4 and quoted 0 to 62 mph 1.4 seconds faster, its throttle response felt positively lethargic compared with my MG4 with both in normal mode. In fact I was so surprised that when I got home I wondered if it could have been an SE model instead. However, the dealer said it was a Trophy model and it did have an electrically adjustable driver’s seat so it must have been a Trophy model.

One of the many things that I like with my MG4 Trophy is its throttle response at any legal speed. Even my wife noticed the difference as my passenger.

Have others noticed this only it would be a deal breaker for me when my lease expires in a couple of months time?
 
Being totally new to my MGS5 the throttle lag dose concern me as I feel like the slowest to pull away at lights etc, I haven’t tried in sports mode yet but I am sure I will get use to it as my previous car was a petrol /hybrid
 
It is more controlled, yes. Having come from an MG4, the difference is noticeable but I really prefer the MGS5 implementation.

It makes the car feel less on-off as you press the pedal and has reduced the being bounced about for passengers, especially on B roads.

Also, having popped the S5 in to sport mode once or twice, it actually feels quicker than the MG4 and picks up so rapidly.

For me, it feels so much better all round but I appreciate it is personal!
 
My MG4 Trophy LR is coming to the end of the 0% PCP in October, the final “balloon” payment is over 3 grand more than the car's value, so I'm not keeping it, it's going to be returned to Santander, it's immaculate, apart from a couple of stone chips, under 13k miles.
I've had my eye on the shortly to be released IM5, a bit reluctant to buy unseen as yet, but having a look around, I noticed some great deals on the newish MGS5, had a test drive 14/08/2025, pretty impressed at the value, with a big chunk off the retail cost, if registered before the end of August, although its not as responsive as my MG4 Trophy LR, but apparently gets to 60 a fair bit quicker, maybe thats in SPORT mode.
I looked deeper and found several around the country, looked at trains to Derby, but preferred to stay local, Southampton MG had 3 (all black) not KEEN!

On our way to Southampton MG (Wednessday), I had a call from our local PENTON MG in Salisbury.
Hang out a bit was the message, they had a meeting with MG big wigs tomorrow (Thursday) and are hoping to get permission to do a really great deal on one of 2 brand new unregistered cars in stock.
Home on Friday, a call from Penton MG, great news, can have choice of colour for several hundred less than the best deal on Auto Trader, but it must be registered by the end of AUGUST.

DEAL! paid a deposit on Saturday morning, transfer the remaining 20k over the weekend. I've just bought a new MGS5 in silver, the blue one also looked pretty.

Just a pity it won't be 75 plate, but it's brand new and my personal plate will be on it soon.
There are still a few pre registered MGS5’s around at nearly 30% DISCOUNT, not sure why so cheap, the only thing I can think of is MG must have imported more than they could sell at retail, unless you know differently!
🤔
😂
👍
 
My MG5FL had immediate performance even in its default comfort mode, but it couldn't really handle the power properly, especially in the wet. The MGS5 has a toned down default mode of normal which is more laid back, but still has some power when the pedal is pressed fully. The sport mode is the only one that has full power available, but it handles the power much better.
Overall I prefer the S5 approach, but would be happier if we could choose the default mode and it was saved along with the other settings.
 
My MG5FL had immediate performance even in its default comfort mode, but it couldn't really handle the power properly, especially in the wet. The MGS5 has a toned down default mode of normal which is more laid back, but still has some power when the pedal is pressed fully. The sport mode is the only one that has full power available, but it handles the power much better.
Overall I prefer the S5 approach, but would be happier if we could choose the default mode and it was saved along with the other settings.

I probably lost a fair bit of MG5 tyre rubber before I learned to take it easy on the throttle at junctions etc.
 
I'm hoping I can assign "drive mode" or perhaps "regen mode" to the steering wheel star button, when my new S5 is here, or is it not possible I wonder? it's available on my current MG4!
 
I'm hoping I can assign "drive mode" or perhaps "regen mode" to the steering wheel star button, when my new S5 is here, or is it not possible I wonder? it's available on my current MG4!
There are two star buttons - left and right. My S5 came with the left set to regen and the right to drive mode by default.
 
The problem with putting it on a button on the steering wheel is that you have to cycle through them all, and my experience is that if you want to swap between Normal and Sport, you cycle via Custom, and that makes you lose some settings. It's a PITA.
 
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