Thrills without frills: New five-seater MG5 EV all-electric estate designed with 'keep it simple' maxim in mind, says RAY MASSEY

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As advice goes, I've always found 'Keep it simple, stupid' to have great merit. And the practical new five-seater MG5 EV all-electric estate has clearly been designed with this maxim in mind.

For while cars are becoming increasingly complicated, the new zero-emissions MG5 really is simple to drive. Its back-to-basics approach means its limited but perfectly adequate number of available functions are simple to use.

There are just two trim options. I drove the range-topping Trophy, riding on 17 in wheels, which costs £33,495 — £2,500 more than the SE trim at £30,995.

The controls are straightforward and there's a 10.25 in widescreen infotainment screen on the dashboard, along with a 7 in digital driver display behind the steering wheel.

It's a surprisingly sprightly mover, especially in 'sport' mode, which joins 'comfort' and 'eco', and is set by the flick of a switch. An easy-to-operate dial sets drive and reverse.

Back to basics: The MG5 is a refreshing take on the all-electric family estate

Both versions are powered by a 115 kW electric motor, equivalent to 156 hp, enabling brisk acceleration from rest to 30 mph in 3.2 seconds and up to 62 mph in a swift 7.7 seconds.

Both also have 'long-range' battery capacity of 61.1 kWh (of which 57.4 kWh is useable); the Trophy trim's range of 235 miles is 15 miles less than the lower-specced SE. There's plenty of flexible estate-car boot space which expands from 479 litres with all the seats up, to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Driver assistance and safety features include adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist; active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection; lane-keeping assistance and speed-limit sign detection. Charging via a plug-in port in the front grille is straightforward and takes around ten hours — or overnight — on a 7kw AC domestic wall charger.

Charging to 80 per cent will take between 35 minutes on a high power 150kW charger (of which there are precious few) or 61 minutes on a 50kW version.

It's a surprisingly sprightly mover, especially in 'sport' mode, which joins 'comfort' and 'eco', and is set by the flick of a switch

The controls are straightforward and there's a 10.25 in widescreen infotainment screen on the dashboard, along with a 7 in digital driver display behind the steering wheel

Both versions are powered by a 115 kW electric motor, equivalent to 156 hp, enabling brisk acceleration from rest to 30 mph in 3.2 seconds and up to 62 mph in a swift 7.7 seconds

The classic MG marque, founded in the 1920s and now Chinese owned, offers affordable electric cars that won't break the bank

Charging to 80 per cent will take between 35 minutes on a high power 150kW charger (of which there are precious few) or 61 minutes on a 50kW version

Drivers of the new MG5 EV also now have access to a new iSmart app

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There's plenty of flexible estate-car boot space which expands from 479 litres with all the seats up, to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded down

My Trophy version with leather-style perforated upholstery and pretty decent dashboard and door styling had a 360-degree parking camera which came in very handy when doing a tight manoeuvre, as well as heated front seats, auto air conditioning, electrically folding heated door mirrors, rear privacy glass and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

As well upgraded styling and a choice of six colours, drivers of the new MG5 EV also now have access to a new iSmart app which allows you to schedule battery charging (to take advantage of cheaper tariffs), pre-heat or cool the car before you get in, to get online via hot-spots, receive over the air updates.

All cars come with a 6-speaker audio system, Apple Car Play and Android Auto as standard, as well as a 7-year/80,000 mile fully-transferable warranty.

With Crufts dog show starting next week there's plenty of room for dogs too.

The first generation MG5 model which the new car replaces was the fifth best-selling electric vehicle in 2022.

The classic MG marque, founded in the 1920s and now Chinese owned, offers affordable electric cars that won't break the bank. And though built abroad, they're designed in Marylebone, London.

Peugeot 508 facelift

Peugeot's large 508 hatchback and SW estate have had a facelift to sharpen their looks and beef up their tech — just in time for the new '23' registration plate which came in on Wednesday.

Most obvious is the bold new grille which houses the revamped lion's head badge.

Bold: The new grille houses the revamped lion's head badge

Peugeot says it has raised the quality and modernity of the materials, including premium upholstery and a more ergonomic gearbox control. 

The 10 in infotainment screen now runs the firm's latest i-Connect advanced software which is equipped with a powerful TomTom-connected navigation system.

There are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options across fastback hatch, station wagon and sports variants

Peugeot says it has raised the quality and modernity of the materials, including premium upholstery and a more ergonomic gearbox control

Peugeot says: 'For optimum readability, the map can be displayed on a full central screen.'  

There are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options across fastback hatch, station wagon and sports variants. They go on sale in June from around £35,000.

'Comprehensive upgrade' for Volkswagen ID.3

Volkswagen has freshened up its ID.3 electric hatchback with 'a comprehensive upgrade' after some early problems and criticism. 

The redesign, just two-and-a-half years after the launch of the original, uses higher-quality materials and the latest generation of assist systems. The compact zero-emissions car also has a sharpened exterior. 

New look: The redesign uses higher-quality materials and the latest generation of assist systems

The colour palette has been extended, with new shades including Dark Olivine Green.

Sales director Imelda Labbe said: 'With the second-generation ID.3, the design has matured and the materials in the interior have been significantly upgraded. 

The compact zero-emissions car has a sharpened exterior

It is one of ten electric models that VW will launch by 2026

'It demonstrates our commitment to quality, design and operability, and we have systematically taken on board the wishes of our customers.'

It is one of ten electric models that VW will launch by 2026.

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