MG S6 EV vs MG MGS5 EV

What's the difference?

BYD, Chery, GWM and MG - one of these Chinese car brands is not like the others.

While the first three all enjoyed major growth in 2025, MG had a year to forget. A flood of new models, rushed into the market with little or no fanfare, resulted in a nearly 20 per cent sales decline, when the brand should have been basking in the same growth as its rivals.

So, the old management has been swept away and MG Australia is attacking 2026 with a fresh outlook and a renewed purpose, fully aware that launching an affordable car and hoping the buyers come is not a sound strategy.

Which is why the brand is making a far more concerted effort with this all-new MGS6 (all one word, likely to avoid copyright issues with Audi). It’s an important model to get right, too, as the electric mid-size SUV is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Australian buyers, as witnessed by the success of the BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y.

But with those two, plus many more mid-size EV SUVs, including the Kia EV5, GAC Aion V, Geely EX5 and Zeekr 7X (to name a few), to compete with, MG will need to put its best foot forward to give the MGS6 its best chance of success.

This one model alone won’t determine the fortunes of MG in the final reckoning of the year, but if MG wants to turn around its sales numbers and enjoy the same growth as its Chinese rivals, having the MGS6 succeed would be an important step.

MG’s latest electric vehicle has arrived in Australia. The MG S5 EV replaces the super popular MG ZS EV. But don’t think of the MG S5 EV as just a replacement because if first impressions ring true this small budget electric SUV could be the new benchmark for the class. 

The arrival could not be better timed. A multitude of new Chinese brands have been landing in Australia with small affordable electric SUVs such as the BYD Atto 3, Chery Omoda E5 and Zeekr X, while the MG ZS EV was getting older and uncompetitive even if its price was almost unbeatable. 

Now the S5 EV has landed and our first impressions show it to be outstanding. We’ve tested it and can tell you how well it stacks up against the ZS EV and after you read this review you'll also know how well it may compare to its small budget electric SUV rivals.