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Bargain electric car to return? 2025 MG ZS EV replacement price confirmed in China in a boost for new BYD Atto 3 and Hyundai Kona Electric rival: Report

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2025 MG ES5 (image: CarNewsChina)
2025 MG ES5 (image: CarNewsChina)
John Law
Deputy News Editor
28 Oct 2024
3 min read

The 2025 MG ZS EV is gearing up to be replaced by a new, ground-up electric model known as the MG ES5 in China.

Tipped as a global model, the new ES5 electric small SUV was revealed earlier this month, though only now has the starting price been revealed.

According to CarNewsChina's dealer sources, the ES5 will start at 100,000 yuan (A$21,500) in its home country.

That spells trouble for rivals, with the 4.47-metre long and 1.85-metre wide SUV not only possibly undercutting the Nebula platform-share MG4 but smaller models such as the BYD Atto 3.

It is unlikely the ZS EV’s replacement will come quite that cheap in Australia, but we’d wager a circa $40,000 entry price with future discounts likely. 

2025 MG ES5 (image: CarNewsChina)
2025 MG ES5 (image: CarNewsChina)

Vitals run close to the related MG4 with power and torque at 125kW and 250Nm, respectively, with a single rear-mounted electric motor for a circa 8.0 second 0-100km/h sprint.

Unlike the MG4, the China-market MG ES5 runs lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry exclusively and different capacities, reportedly 49.1kWh for 425km of driving range (CLTC) and a larger 62.2kWh configuration delivering 525km or 515km CLTC range, depending on whether it’s equipped with 17- or 18-inch wheels. 

2025 MG ES5 (image: CarNewsChina)
2025 MG ES5 (image: CarNewsChina)

It promises to be practical, with MG claiming 37 storage spaces in the cabin and a 381-litre boot size (VDA). A front mounted camera and rear-mounted radar sensor give it semi-autonomous driving assistance, such as adaptive cruise control.

MG Australia is poised to roll out the new ZS small SUV, which is based on the MG3 combustion car’s platform, later this year. 

The ZS EV’s replacement is yet to be confirmed by local executives, but with a sharp starting price in China and compact SUV form factor, the ES5 seems like a logical addition to MG’s fast-swelling local range. 

2025 MG ZS hybrid
2025 MG ZS hybrid

“The EV model will change, we haven’t finalised plans for that, but it won’t be a direct replacement, instead it will be a whole new model”, Chief Operating Officer, Giles Belcher told CarsGuide earlier this month. 

Belcher promised the ZS EV’s replacement would be a significant upgrade, “This is a ground-up EV built on the same platform as the MG4” he said.

John Law
Deputy News Editor
Born in Sydney’s Inner West, John wasn’t treated to the usual suite of Aussie-built family cars growing up, with his parents choosing quirky (often chevroned) French motors that shaped his love of cars. The call of motoring journalism was too strong to deny and in 2019 John kickstarted his career at Chasing Cars. A move to WhichCar and Wheels magazine exposed him to a different side of the industry and the glossy pages of physical magazines. John is back on the digital side of things at CarsGuide, where he’s taken up a role as Deputy News Editor spinning yarns about the latest happenings in the automotive industry. When he isn’t working, John can be found tooling around in either his 2002 Renault Clio Sport 172 or 1983 Alfasud Gold Cloverleaf.  
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