While the rest of the automotive world seems to be competing on screen sizes and gimmicky features, the MG S5 EV quietly took a different path—a refreshingly driver-focused approach that made our journey through Malaysia’s highways and winding roads a true pleasure. The version we had the pleasure of piloting was the original CBU (fully imported) MG S5 EV LUX Long Range. Priced at RM135,900, this rear-wheel-drive (RWD) SUV featured a 62kWh battery pack, a single motor delivering 170PS (125kW) and 250Nm of torque, and a respectable WLTP range of around 430km.
It is a car, as Careta puts it, that is an “SUV elektrik RWD, senyap tapi ‘berjiwa pemandu’” (RWD electric SUV, quiet but ‘driver focused’). The RWD layout, a rarity in its segment, provided a natural sense of balance and composure, refusing to be a dull, point-and-squirt appliance.
Driving Impressions: The Calm, Confident Contender
From the moment we left the Klang Valley, the S5 EV proved to be a relaxed and sophisticated grand tourer. On our drive across the peninsula, it excelled at soaking up miles in whisper-quiet comfort. Carlist.my perfectly captured this essence, describing the S5 as a “calm, confident EV SUV newcomer” that is designed to offer a “more composed, family-oriented EV experience” rather than chasing thrills.
Yet, despite its composed family-man demeanor, the S5 refused to be boring. The RWD chassis gave the SUV a lively, alert character. As Malaysian publication Careta noted, “Dari pegun, responnya bersih dan linear, tiada drama, tiada tork steer… Kuasa datang serta-merta tetapi dengan cara yang terkawal.” (From a standstill, the response is clean and linear, no drama, no torque steer… Power comes instantly but in a controlled way). On twisty mountain roads, the rear-drive nature shines, allowing the front to remain light and neutral—a driving dynamic sorely lacking in many electrified crossovers today.
The real-world practicality is impressive, too. Veteran motoring journalist Lee Pang Seng from Carsifu embarked on a coast-to-coast journey from Sungai Penchala to Kuantan in the S5 EV. He noted that even with a 99% battery state showing 428km of range, the “heavy traffic till Genting Sempah, with accidents, vehicle breakdowns, road diversions and road works” was handled with ease. He even discovered that by applying traditional ICE driving techniques, the return journey to Sungai Penchala was easily achievable on a single charge, having 307km of indicated range for a roughly 250km drive.
Battle of the Titans: Standing Out in a Crowded Arena
In the bustling Malaysian C-segment EV market, the MG S5 EV faces stiff competition from heavyweights like the BYD Atto 3 and the Proton e.MAS 7. As Carlist points out, “Quietly slotting itself into a segment already occupied by big names… that have seemingly sucked most of the oxygen out… the MG S5 EV doesn’t come off as the flashiest or most obvious option at first glance”.
But the S5 EV’s value proposition lies in its unique blend of RWD dynamics and sophisticated restraint. As a review from CarsofMalaysia.com noted, “The MGS5 is a decent ‘car,’ but some of us aren’t exactly looking for a ‘car’”. Its interior is refreshingly free of glaring piano black plastics, focusing on “actual good ergonomics and actual decent materials,” making it a choice for drivers who prefer substance over flash.
The Revolutionary New CKD Version: Raising the Bar
Our journey with the CBU model was a delightful revelation. However, the landscape has already shifted beneath our feet. The new 2026 CKD (Completely Knocked Down) version, now being assembled in Melaka, has officially rendered our review unit obsolete overnight. It is described as the next step in “strengthening its long-term cost structure and local market competitiveness”. While the CBU LUX Long Range we drove cost RM135,900, MG Malaysia has now slashed the price for the superior CKD model to an astounding RM116,900 on-the-road without insurance.
“The MG S5 EV CKD Just Made Our Review Obsolete” – HOMME Magazine
“More Power, Less Money: MG’s Brutal CKD Upgrade” – Dato’ Nicholas
Compared to the fully imported model, the numbers paint a clear picture of obsolescence. Our review car’s 170PS and 250Nm are gone, replaced by a monstrous bump in power to 205PS (151kW) and 350Nm of torque. This significant power upgrade drops the 0-100km/h sprint from 8.6 seconds to a rapid 7.0 seconds. Miraculously, this power gain does not come at the cost of range. Thanks to improved efficiency in the motor and inverter, the WLTP-rated range has actually increased from 430km to 446km.
The equipment list has also been thrown out and rewritten. The CKD LUX variant now features “full leatherette seats, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a hands-free power tailgate”—premium touches that elevate the driving experience significantly. All the while, the S5 retains its 150kW DC fast charging capability, which can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in a quick coffee break (approximately 26 minutes), and a 5-star safety rating from both Euro NCAP and ASEAN NCAP.
It is incredibly rare to find a manufacturer that so quickly and decisively cannibalizes its own product. MG has effectively taken the car we already admired for its driving dynamics and chiseled it into a far more muscular and premium offering, all while slashing the price. This is perhaps one of the most dramatic one-year leaps in automotive value we have ever witnessed. The S5 EV we loved? It was just the appetizer. The new CKD version is the main course.
“From 170PS to 205PS — And RM19k Cheaper. Ouch.” – HOMME Magazine
“CKD Shocker: MG S5 EV Now Faster, Cheaper, Better” – Dato’ Nicholas
