MG S5 EV Malaysian teaser released – BYD Atto 3 and Proton eMas 7 electric SUV rival launching in May 2025

MG Malaysia has teased the MG S5 EV that we showed you from the 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show. A teaser image on Instagram zooms in on the electric SUV’s LED daytime running lights and says “A look like no other. Something new is coming. Register your interest now.”

The RoI page reveals the MG S5 EV’s identity. “A ride that redefines electric driving. A thrill that stays true to our British heritage. Something bold, something electrifying, something more to love just for you,” the company describes.

The page shares a few highlights of the S5 such as the SUV’s LED signatures front and back (‘racing flag’ DRLs, ‘family arch’ rear LEDs), DC fast charging rate (up to 150 kW, 10-80% SoC in below 30 minutes), slim battery, rear-wheel-drive layout (like the MG4, no dual-motor AWD option), active intake grille, panoramic sunroof and 18-inch alloys.

Highlighted interior features include leather and fabric combination seats with ‘MG’ perforated pattern, a 12.8-inch central touchscreen with a row of physical buttons for the AC, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and up to 1,441 litres of boot space. “Stay tuned for our exclusive launch offer this May,” MG says, which means that we’re a month away from the S5 EV’s launch.

Let’s recap what we saw in Thailand. At 4,476 mm long and 1,849 wide, the ‘MG4 SUV’ is 21 mm longer and 26 mm narrower than the sales-leading BYD Atto 3. The MG’s 2,730 mm wheelbase is 10 mm longer than the BYD’s, and it’s also slightly taller, so we’re looking at the same ballpark. Boot volume is 452 litres, expandable to 1,441 litres with the rear seats folded.

There, the base Standard Range powertrain has a motor at the rear making 170 PS (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque, good for 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. The battery is a 50 kWh lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) unit and claimed range is 416 km in the easier NEDC standard. Max charging rates are 11 kW AC and 88 kW DC, and there’s a 6 kW V2L function to power your accessories.

The Long Range gets a more powerful motor (245 PS or 180 kW, 350 Nm, also RWD) and a bigger 64 kWh battery. This one is a lithium-ion NMC-type battery that’s good for 550 km range in the NEDC. 0-100 km/h is done in 6.1 seconds, so it’s a big jump from the SR in speed and range. As for charging, the LR’s max rate is 11 kW AC and 140 kW DC and getting from 10-80% SoC takes less than 30 minutes, as highlighted by MG Malaysia.

Kit wise, the Thai-spec S5 has pretty much what you’d expect from a Chinese EV of this price – 18-inch wheels, LED everything, power boot, synthetic leather seats in black-grey (ventilation for high spec) and six-way powered front seats.

Thais also get a 10.25-inch digital meter panel, 12.8-inch centre touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 3D surround view camera, wireless charger and a PM2.5 filter for the air con. Full ADAS pack too, of course.

MG S5 EV at BIMS 2025 – click to enlarge

There, the MG S5 EV is available in four colours – black, grey, white and the special Beige Champagne Titanium we shot – and the price range is from 719,900 to 899,900 baht, which is RM93,628 to RM117,068.

Although we have a RM100k minimum price for CBU imported EVs, that’s the price range of the Proton eMas 7 (RM105,800, to RM119,800), which prompted the BYD Atto 3 (RM123,800) and Chery Omoda E5 (RM119,818 but for 2024 units) to lower their RRPs to compete.

There’s not a whole lot to separate these Chinese EV SUVs in terms of tech and specs (click on the links above to revisit the Proton/Geely, BYD and Chery), so it’s more a matter of the brand, design and of course, price. Assuming that MG Malaysia can price the S5 EV at around RM120k, what do you think of the car’s design and package? Browse the gallery below and share your thoughts.

GALLERY: MG S5 EV at BIMS 2025

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