With greater than 60 nameplates within the mid-size SUV section alone, it’s laborious to know the place to search for the proper household automobile.
Which makes it equally as troublesome for any of those soft-roaders to face out, particularly for newer manufacturers like MG and Geely, besides relating to absolutely electrical options.
Solely 1 / 4 of the sprawling mid-size SUV class is obtainable with a zero-emissions powertrain – and most of them are from luxurious manufacturers, placing them out of attain for common Aussie households.
So, if you’re on a finances and contemplating the transition to electrical motoring, the shortlist isn’t very lengthy and contains these two: the MG S5 EV and Geely EX5.
Each are tempting sufficient to doubtlessly give up fossil fuels due to first rate driving vary and efficiency; each value across the identical as – and even lower than – a petrol-powered equal; and each come stacked with normal gear and security options.
So, let’s examine the MG S5 EV and Geely EX5 to see which one stands tallest.
How a lot?
To start with, the MG affords double the selection of Geely, with the provision of two battery sizes.
| MG S5 EV | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| MG S5EV Excite 49 | $40,490 |
| MG S5EV Essence 49 | $42,990 |
| MG S5EV Excite 62 | $44,990 |
| MG S5EV Essence 62 | $47,990 |
The S5 EV is offered in two mannequin grades – Excite and Essence – every with the choice of both a 49kWh or 62kWh battery.
Costs begin at $40,490 drive-away for the entry-level Excite with the smaller battery, and high out at $47,990 drive-away for the flagship Essence with the lengthy vary battery we’re testing right here.
| Geely EX5 | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| Geely EX5 Full | $40,990 |
| Geely EX5 Encourage | $44,990 |
The Geely EX5 can also be provided in two mannequin grades – Full and Encourage – however each share the identical powertrain and battery, and don’t embody statutory expenses and dealership charges of their marketed costs.
Subsequently, whereas the range-topping EX5 Encourage seems to be extra inexpensive on paper than the S5 EV Essence 62, it can value fractionally extra to land in your driveway.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new MG S5 EV. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Geely EX5. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
What do you get?
Each fashions come outfitted with a beneficiant checklist of normal gear.
The in depth checklist of options on each autos contains:
- LED headlights
- Keyless entry and push button begin
- Local weather management with rear air vents
- Energy tailgate
- Panoramic sunroof
- Heated entrance seats
- Twin digital shows
- Satellite tv for pc Navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi smartphone mirroring
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- Car-to-load performance
Nonetheless, the Geely trumps the MG with a couple of extras, comparable to full artificial leather-based upholstery (the S5 EV has a combo of faux leather-based and cloth-trimmed seats, which admittedly seems to be and feels simply as good), bigger 19-inch alloy wheels, massaging entrance seats with air flow, a much bigger 15.4-inch infotainment show and a extra highly effective 1000W 12-speaker audio system.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new MG S5 EV. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Geely EX5. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
Are they protected?
Each the MG S5 EV and Geely EX5 have scored the utmost five-star ANCAP score below the most recent – and strictest – protocols. Seven airbags are normal in each autos, offering protection for all occupants and together with a centre airbag between the entrance seats.
| Class | MG S5 EV | Geely EX5 |
|---|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 90 per cent | 86 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 86 per cent | 87 per cent |
| Weak street person safety | 82 per cent | 83 per cent |
| Security help | 79 per cent | 85 per cent |
They’re additionally fitted with a complete suite of superior driver help aids, together with:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Adaptive Cruise Management
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Visitors Alert with braking
- Lane Protecting Help
- Velocity Restrict Help with street signal recognition
- Secure Exit Warning
- Driver Monitoring
- 360-degree parking show
- Rear parking sensors
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new MG S5 EV. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Geely EX5. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
What are they like inside?
There’s not a lot separating these two when it comes to general dimensions.
| Dimensions | MG S5 EV 62kWh Essence | Geely EX5 Encourage |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4476mm | 4615mm |
| Width | 1849mm | 1901mm |
| Peak | 1621mm | 1670mm |
| Wheelbase | 2730mm | 2750mm |
| Cargo capability | 453L (5 seats) / 1441L (2 seats) | 302L (5 seats) / 1877L (2 seats) |
The Geely EX5 is barely longer, wider and taller and has extra space between the entrance and rear axles, however we’re speaking centimetres of distinction right here.
Each are constructed on devoted electrical automobile platforms, which frees up house contained in the cabin the place there’s greater than sufficient room to seat 5 in relative consolation.
Nonetheless, the MG makes higher use of its cargo capability, regardless of having an electrical motor on the rear axle, providing extra boot house when the second row is in use.
The Geely does have extra room for giant gadgets when the again seat is folded flat, plus a helpful further part below the ground.
So far as kind and performance are involved, the S5 EV and EX5 tread a really comparable path with trendy cockpits that blend the most recent in digital know-how with high quality supplies and conveniences.
The MG is a bit more conventional in its design, because the digital instrument cluster is located below a cowl inside a floating two-piece dashtop that wraps into the door playing cards, whereas the EX5 has an uneven centre console and an uncovered tablet-style instrument show behind its oddly squared-off, two-spoke steering wheel.
Each function some attention-grabbing materials selections, just like the faux woodgrain panel on the console of the EX5 with flowing strains etched into floor, and the felt panels all through the S5 EV.
Personally, I feel the MG’s materials selections, lighter colors and the blended material/leather-based seat trim creates a hotter, extra tactile surroundings than the EX5, particularly with its normal ‘Geeluxe’ Midnight (black) upholstery.
The flagship Encourage variant does have the choice of an alternate Cloud (white) color palette, which might brighten issues up however may not be as straightforward to maintain clear for small households.
Irrespective of which color you select, there’s a neat celebration trick within the type of a retractable leg relaxation for the passenger seat, which makes lengthy journeys much more comfy or creates a pleasant place to chill out when replenishing the battery at a public charging station. And the therapeutic massage operate is among the many greatest within the enterprise.
Each automobiles have loads of handy small-item storage areas all through the cabin, each permit plenty of gentle in through a panoramic glass roof, and each supply a commanding view of the street forward from the driving force’s seat.
The Geely’s bigger infotainment display is simply that… bigger, however it’s no higher for it as homes all the main automobile system controls.
It’s not too laborious to seek out your method via the myriad menus, though it have to be famous that smartphone mirroring as as but unavailable. Apple CarPlay is because of be added via an over-the-air software program replace earlier than the tip of September and wi-fi Android Auto gained’t be added till early subsequent yr.
It’s all there now within the MG, which additionally homes bodily buttons for the local weather management and audio quantity in a panel beneath the display for straightforward entry.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new MG S5 EV. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Geely EX5. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
What’s below the bonnet?
The most important distinction between these two automobiles is the pushed axle, with MG mounting the S5 EV’s electrical motor on the again to energy its rear wheels, whereas the Geely has its motor below the bonnet to drive the EX5’s entrance wheels. In any other case, they each use roughly the identical powertrain configuration to reach on the identical vacation spot.
| Specs | MG S5 EV | Geely EX5 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single electrical motor | Single electrical motor |
| Battery | 62kWh lithium-ion | 60.2kWh |
| Energy | 125kW | 160kW |
| Torque | 250Nm | 320Nm |
| Drive kind | RWD | FWD |
| Weight | 1755kg | 1765kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.6 seconds | 7.1 seconds |
| Vitality consumption (claimed) | 171Wh/km | 166Wh/km |
| Claimed vary | 425km (WLTP) | 410km (WLTP) |
| Max AC cost fee | 6.6kW | 11kW |
| Max DC cost fee | 120kW | 100KW |
The MG is slower to 100km/h and has a much less highly effective motor (125kW/250Nm versus 160kW/320Nm), however a barely bigger battery (62kWh versus 60.2kWh) that may replenished extra rapidly through a DC fast-charger and gives an extended claimed driving vary (425km versus 410km).
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new MG S5 EV. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Geely EX5. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
Price of possession
MG units the benchmark for long-term possession in Australia with a 10-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for all of its autos together with the S5 EV (for personal patrons who service throughout the MG supplier community), together with free roadside help.
| Servicing and Guarantee | MG S5 EV | Geely EX5 |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantee | 10 years / limitless kilometres | Seven years / limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 10 Years | Seven years (service activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months / 25,000km | 12 months / 20,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years | Seven years |
| Whole capped-price service value | $1967 | $2052 |
| Common value per service | $393.40 | $293.15 |
Geely isn’t that far behind with seven years of protection for the automobile, and an eight-year assure for the battery and traction motor.
It additionally affords free roadside help throughout the guarantee interval, however provided that the automobile is maintained in accordance its prescribed service schedule every year or each 20,000km, whichever happens first.
Whereas the MG has longer, 25,000km service intervals, its capped-price scheme is barely provided for the primary 5 years of possession, and prices extra on common than the Geely.
The EX5 has a seven-year capped-price servicing scheme as normal, however patrons may also select to pre-purchase upkeep plans for the primary three, 5 or seven years at a reduced fee, providing potential financial savings of as much as $410.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new MG S5 EV. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new Geely EX5. Click on right here to get an ideal deal.
CarExpert’s Choose
There’s lots to love about each of those mid-size electrical SUVs, and never a lot to separate them.
Each ship sufficient vary and efficiency to tempt city households away from a petrol-powered runabout, in addition to lots of equipment inside their spacious and stylish cabins, plus the most recent in security techniques, for inexpensive worth tags.
Finally, the MG is the nicer automobile to drive due to its well-sorted dynamic character. Plus, it seems to be extra attention-grabbing on the surface, has extra tactile touches to its inside, and brings better peace of thoughts with its longer guarantee.
