MG’s S5 Essence 62 small SUV has been given a power, torque and range boost but no price rise in a bid to get the Chinese brand’s sales back on track.
MG’s Australian sales numbers were down over 18 per cent in 2025, while 2026 is also proving difficult in the face of ever-increasing budget competition from Chinese rivals.
The rear-drive MGS5’s MY26 update is one way of fighting back; the range trimmed by ditching entry-level Excite 49 and Excite 62 variants, while gifting the range-topping Essence 62 key upgrades.
READ MORE: 2025 MG S5 Essence Review: Look out BYD and Tesla!
READ MORE: MG S6 EV price and specs: Tesla Model Y rival offers more than 500km of range for $50k.
READ MORE: Is this baby EV MG’s next big thing? 2027 MG2 teased as new rival for BYD Atto 1, Geely EX2 and Hyundai Inster.
This S5 flagship sticks with a $47,990 drive-away price, but now produces 150kW and 350Nm, significantly up from the previous 125kW and 250Nm.
Its 0-100km/h time is now much improved, down to 7.0 seconds from the 8.6 seconds of before.
The WLTP range also climbs: up 25km to 450km between charges.
There’s no change to the S5’s 62kWh battery; MG said the range bump comes from “advanced motor technology that delivers higher power density and improved efficiency.”
With cheaper Excite models now axed, the S5 Essence 49 is the new entry point at $42,990 drive-away.
Raising the S5’s price of entry (by $2500) may seem an unusual move in the face of cheaper electric small SUV rivals, but MG Australia said “more than 80 per cent of customers orders since launch (have been) placed for the Essence variants.”
Competition remains fierce in the small EV segment, with the MG S5 looking pricey in this playground.
A BYD Atto 2 is from $31,990 plus charges, a Chery E5 is from $37,990 drive-away; GWM Ora 5 from $33,990 drive-away and Jaecoo J5 Electric from $36,990 drive-away.
