RAY MASSEY tests new five-seater MG5 EV all-electric estate

As the advice goes, I’ve always found “Keep it simple, stupid” a great asset. And the practical new five-seat all-electric MG5 EV station wagon is clearly designed with this maxim in mind.

Because while cars are getting more and more complicated, the new zero-emission MG5 is really easy to drive. The back-to-basics approach means that the limited but perfectly adequate number of features available is easy to use.

There are only two trim options. I raced in the top-of-the-range Trophy, riding on 17-inch wheels, which costs £33,495 – £2,500 more than the SE trim at £30,995.

Operation is simple and there’s a 10.25in widescreen infotainment screen on the dash, along with a 7in digital driver display behind the steering wheel.

It’s a surprisingly cheerful mover, especially in the ‘sport’ mode, which combines ‘comfort’ and ‘eco’, and is set at the touch of a button. An easy-to-operate rotary knob sets drive and reverse.

Both versions are powered by a 115 kW electric motor, equivalent to 156 hp, enabling rapid acceleration from a standstill to 48 km/h in 3.2 seconds and to 100 km/h in a swift 7.7 seconds.

Both also have a long-range battery capacity of 61.1 kWh (of which 57.4 kWh usable); the 235-mile range of the Trophy trim is 24 miles less than the lower-spec SE. There’s plenty of flexible station wagon boot space that expands from 479 liters with all seats up to 1,367 liters with the rear seats folded.

Driver assistance and safety features include adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist; active emergency braking function with pedestrian and bicycle detection; lane keeping and speed sign detection. Charging from a plug-in port in the front grille is simple and takes about ten hours – or overnight – on a 7kW home AC wall charger.

Charging to 80 per cent takes between 35 minutes on a powerful 150kW charger (of which there are very few) or 61 minutes on a 50kW version.

My Trophy version with perforated leather-style upholstery and pretty decent styling on the dash and doors had a 360-degree parking camera that was very helpful when making a tight maneuver, as well as heated front seats, automatic air conditioning, electrically folding heated door mirrors, rear privacy glass and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

As well as improved styling and a choice of six colours, drivers of the new MG5 EV now also have access to a new iSmart app that allows you to schedule battery charging (to take advantage of cheaper rates), preheat the car or cool down before you get in, go online via hotspots, receive wireless updates.

All cars come standard with a six-speaker audio system, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, as well as a fully transferable 7-year/80,000 mile warranty.

With the Crufts dog show starting next week, there’s plenty of room for dogs too.

The first-generation MG5 model that the new car replaces was the fifth best-selling electric car in 2022.

Founded in the 1920s and now Chinese-owned, the classic MG brand offers affordable electric cars that won’t break the bank. And although they were built abroad, they were designed in Marylebone, London.

facelift peugeot 508

Peugeot’s large 508 hatchback and SW estate have been facelifted to sharpen their looks and improve their technology – just in time for the new ’23’ number plate that arrived on Wednesday.

Most eye-catching is the bold new grille that houses the updated lion head badge.

Peugeot says it has increased the quality and modernity of the materials, including premium upholstery and more ergonomic gearbox controls.

The 10-inch infotainment screen now runs the company’s latest i-Connect advanced software, which is equipped with a powerful TomTom-connected navigation system.

Peugeot says: “For optimal readability, the map can be displayed on a full central screen.”

There are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options in fastback hatch, station wagon and sports variants. They go on sale in June from around £35,000.

‘Extensive upgrade’ for Volkswagen ID.3

Volkswagen has refreshed its ID.3 electric hatchback with “a comprehensive upgrade” after some early issues and criticism.

The redesign, just two and a half years after the launch of the original, uses higher quality materials and the latest generation of assist systems. The compact zero-emission car also has a sharpened exterior.

The color palette has been expanded with new shades including Dark Olivine Green.

Sales director Imelda Labbe: ‘With the second generation ID.3, the design has matured and the materials in the interior have improved considerably.

“It shows our commitment to quality, design and usability, and we have systematically considered our customers’ wishes.”

It is one of ten electric models that VW will market by 2026.