First look at new MG ZS EV successor ahead of UK launch in 2025

This is our first official look at MG’s new fully electric SUV, which will launch in the UK next year and serve as the successor to the popular MG ZS EV, rivalling small family EVs such as the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3 and Hyundai Kona Electric.

In China it’s called the MG ES5, but Auto Express has learned that the brand is still to decide what name the car will use when it comes to our shores. All we know so far is that it will not be badged ZS EV.

Auto Express also understands that the design will be slightly different to the car you see here, but the family resemblance with MG’s other EVs should still be very obvious – particularly the MG4 hatchback on which it’s based.

The SUV doesn’t look quite as aggressive, mind you, and features much slimmer headlights, plus there’s more black plastic cladding along the sides and a set of roof rails. But, as with the MG4, there’s a large chrome MG octagon badge on the nose, and at the rear is a full-width light bar with Y-shaped tail-lights.

The ES5’s interior has a minimalist feel, and features an enormous touchscreen as its centrepiece. However, the version sold here is expected to have a different cabin design tailored towards the European market, which we think will mirror other models in MG’s UK line-up, such as the second-generation ZS and HS that were introduced very recently.

In terms of size, the MG ES5 is longer, wider and lower than the ZS EV it will replace. In fact, at 4,476mm from nose to tail, it’s also about 120mm longer than the latest Kona Electric, and its wheelbase of 2,730mm is 70mm longer, too.

While certain technical details have yet to be announced, considering that the ES5 sits on the same Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) as the MG4, it could therefore be offered with the same wide selection of battery/motor combinations as its sibling.

If so, the base model will use a 51kWh battery and offer a range of just over 200 miles, while the longest-range version will deliver more than 300 miles thanks to a 77kWh powerpack.

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So far, MG has only said the ES5 is rear-wheel drive, like most versions of the MG4, which produce between 168bhp and 242bhp depending on the exact model. But we know this platform can accommodate a dual-motor powertrain as we’ve seen in the MG4 XPower, so there’s potential for an all-wheel-drive version as well.

The European version of the MG ES5, whatever it’s eventually called, is set to be revealed in early 2025, so pricing won’t be confirmed for some time. However, MG UK product boss David Allison revealed to Auto Express earlier this year that he’s hoping to be able to launch with a sub-£30,000 starting point.

This would significantly undercut its key rivals. The Skoda Elroq has just gone on sale with a starting price of £31,500, the Kia EV3 starts from nearly £33,000 and the cheapest Hyundai Kona Electric is priced at a whisper under £35,000.

Allison added: “Inevitably by the time we get to it, there's probably going to be two or three other cars that have come out at the same time, maybe from some brands that don’t even exist in this market right now because it’s ever changing, isn’t it? So we’ve just got to keep a very close eye on who’s doing what, how they’re doing it and look to where we can see some opportunities.”

MG mid-size electric SUV also coming in 2025

MG is also plotting to go after the Skoda Enyaq and Renault Scenic next year with a larger, mid-size electric SUV. It will use the same MSP platform as the ES5 and, in effect, will be a replacement for the MG Marvel R that's sold in mainland Europe, but not the UK.

The name of MG’s second electric SUV for 2025 also remains under wraps for now. Allison told us: “For people who are looking for a bigger EV, certainly bigger than the ZS EV replacement, I suppose this would be the next natural step up and it would be the biggest one that we do.”

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