MGS5 EV Trophy Long Range test drive

TedB

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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.
 
Decided to bite the bullet and ordered a pre reg red S5 Trophy a few days after my earlier test drive. Bought from Hendy in Poole for nearly £10k off list. Collect next Wednesday. Looking forward to trying in Sport mode! 😀
 
Had an MGS5 for a couple of months now, the acceleration is damped on take off in normal mode but carries on quicker longer, if you want the rapid start you need to drive in Sport mode. There it is full on but much more vomit inducing!
 
99% certain that I!m putting a deposit down on a Trophy MGS5 this afternoon, after much deliberation and discussion with various dealerships!
Ive test driven the S5 twice….my feeling is that the throttle response in Comfort mode was sluggish, but not that off- putting. Normal mode gave me a better throttle response akin to MG4’s Econ mode which I use all the time. I’ve never bothered with Sport mode that much as it limits the range significantly.

Interestingly enough, the range prediction hardly differed between normal and comfort mode on the S5…..

I’m hoping the range will be similar to the MG4…..certainly on the test drive, the S5 seemed to be a little less ‘thirsty’ at 70mph than the S5……
 
Go for it @Loveclose, to give you buying leverage, I paid £24125 (cash) for a brand new, pre delivery "no mileage" S5 Trophy in Silver.
Probably won't get that kind of deal with finance.
I did have a short test drive, but have read every possible professional review, they are the guys who drive plenty of cars and well qualified to review the S5.
My nearly 2 years old MG4 is being bounced back to the finance company, their final balloon payment to keep it is well over £3 grand & possible nearer to £4k more than it's currently worth.
Pick up the new S5 after our return to UK from holiday, provisionally 16th September.
Be interested to know how you get on.
 
I took delivery of my new S5 Trophy this week and am very pleased so far. My concerns regarding throttle response now put to bed. In Sport mode the response and power is excellent! Had a few problems driving back with radio, sat nav and constant reminders that “the speed limit is 70mph” all talking at once! It was like having two wives in the car both talking together at the same time! I’m sure a more detailed look at the settings should sort that out. Not sure how to unbind or disconnect the MG4 from iSMART and reconnect to the S5. Anyone any ideas?
 
Never driven an MG4 but I do drive an MG5 and it is nippier off the blocks than my S5. That doesn't bother me though, it still accellerates plenty fast enough to get me into/out of trouble.
The new MGS5 Trophy officially 0 to 60mph is 5.9 seconds, it accelerates quicker than my already quick MG4 Trophy, I believe they've tamed it so it doesn't give too much whiplash and possibly only in sport mode, mine is yet to be delivered and thoroughly tested 😂😀
 
The new MGS5 Trophy officially 0 to 60mph is 5.9 seconds, it accelerates quicker than my already quick MG4 Trophy, I believe they've tamed it so it doesn't give too much whiplash and possibly only in sport mode, mine is yet to be delivered and thoroughly tested 😂😀
Brochure and website say 6.3 seconds, but still fairly brisk. (y)
 
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