My first MG was a blue 1969 Midget. I bought it in Liverpool for £290 after graduating from university.
Back then I didn’t know what I now know. So, no history checks or indeed any checks at all. I had always loved The Graduate but couldn’t afford an Alfa Spider so the MG Midget it was.
Yes, it ended in tears. The engine blew up 40 miles outside of Liverpool, but I managed to get it back to some guys under the arches who put in a reconditioned engine at a reasonable price. I almost got it back to the Cotswolds to my parents before the pistons went. Guys from under the arches weren’t too concerned – “OK bring it in mate.” Ump just happened to be 200 miles away. So that ended badly in a local scrap yard. Lesson learnt.
By the time of my next MG purchase, I was a little older and a little wiser. For this newer lower mileage MGB in maroon I got my brother-in-Law to check it out as he worked at British Leyland. This was a gem and took me across Europe several times. I only sold it to pay for my next adventure in Hollywood but that’s a different story.
It has been thirty odd years since being behind the wheel of an MG, so I was excited when we were showing off a bunch of electric vehicles at AA HQ as part of our new AA Lease Salary Exchange Programme that we have designed in partnership with LeasePlan.
This benefit offers AA employees a simple and affordable way to drive a brand-new electric car for one simple monthly payment that covers everything from tax and insurance to servicing and maintenance, it even covers accident management and breakdown.
I got more excited when I spotted there was an MG. Well actually a MG5 EV electric estate. I was excited it was an MG and exited it is more affordable than most EVs at approximately £30k. Apparently, it is the only EV estate as the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo describes itself as ‘an enlarged rear luggage compartment and even more spacious interior.’
From the outside it looks like a 1990’s estate car rather than an EV or indeed an MG.
But once inside the whole image changed. The cockpit still had some of the MG DNA after all these years. The seating position and the leather steering wheel and leatherette dash felt sporty in a 1990s manner but in a good way. There is lots of space for storing stuff with big door bins and decent cup/bottle holders.
The interior and seats oozed quality and, felt much classier than the image conjured outside. Bearing in mind you spend most of your time inside the car, this is probably the right way round. The back of the car has decent headroom and a good central seat for the third child. The only downside in the back is the battery underneath means there is no space for your feet under the driver’s seat, so your knees are left a bit too high in the air.
The boot is big and flexible with easy folding rear seats. But if you have more luggage this version also has roof bars as standard.
Normally I test cars for longer than 30 minutes but there was a waiting list of AA employees who also wanted to get behind the wheel, so I had to get a move on.
The MG really drives well. On the slip road to the dual carriageway, it picked up speed effortlessly, to help safely match the traffic speed. The steering is firm and responsive. The road holding is good, and you soon forget you are in an estate. It brakes well and you always feel totally in control. It was equally good on rural roads and the motorway. It holds the road well and is good to drive. You do get some wind noise, but it is still quieter than most cars. The all-round visibility is great.
You can use this MG to charge other things like your e-bike or e-scooter or even to boil a kettle.
Verdict: If you can live with the 1990s styling and small 16-inch wheels then this is a good, economical family car that is great to drive. It has a decent range of 250 miles and although not the fastest EV it is sporty enough to still be a great drive. And it still has a little touch of that MG heritage albeit not on the outside. A great value EV.