MG Philippines took a small group of motoring journalists on a short drive from BGC to Bacolor, Pampanga, to preview its latest new-energy vehicles and give an early look at the upcoming MG S5 EV. The convoy ran along Skyway 3 and NLEX before arriving at Ntrata Restaurant on the Olongapo–Gapan Road, where MG’s product team led by President Weiwei Zhang and Vice President for Operations Karl Magsusi greeted guests.
Media were split across MG’s newest models, including the RX9 PHEV, HS PHEV, G50 PHEV, MG4 Urban, ZS Hybrid+ and HS Hybrid+. I rode as Car #1 with colleagues Ian Magbanua and Vincent Villa, following the MG Cyberster driven by MG Marketing Head Ryan Isana. We were assigned the MG G50 PHEV for the trip; its plush captain’s seats, generous cabin space and a combined range of 1,415 kilometers quickly explained why the MPV has been selling strongly since its debut at the 2026 MIAS. MG lists the G50 PHEV at a suggested retail price of P1,398,888.
Rain forced MG to cancel planned outdoor demos, but the change of plans allowed a closer look at the S5 EV, which MG confirmed will launch before the end of the month.
What we learned about the soon-to-be-launched all-new MG S5 EV
The S5 EV is a B-segment compact crossover built on MG’s dedicated Modular Scalable Platform (MSP). First shown globally in 2025, the Philippine-spec S5 EV pairs contemporary exterior styling with a practical, flexible interior aimed at everyday use and family trips.
Under the rear hood sits a permanent-magnet synchronous motor rated at 125 kW (170 PS) and 250 Nm of torque. Local models use a 49.1 kWh LFP battery, which MG rates at up to 415 kilometers under NEDC testing. DC fast charging at 120 kW brings the battery from 30% to 80% in roughly 24 minutes; a full charge on a 7 kW AC supply takes about 8.5 hours. The S5 EV also offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality for powering devices and equipment directly from the car.
The compact crossover measures 4,476 mm long with a 2,730 mm wheelbase, yet packs a roomy cabin. Interior highlights include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and physical shortcut buttons for frequently used functions to reduce menu diving. Cargo space is 453 liters with the seats up and expands to 1,441 liters when the rear seats are folded.
Safety is covered by the full MG Pilot ADAS suite, seven airbags and a reinforced chassis engineered to meet MG’s global safety benchmarks.
MG did not reveal local pricing for the S5 EV during the preview but confirmed the model will be officially launched by the end of August.