MG S5 EV vs Hyundai Kona Hybrid: Spec battle

Two of a very powerful newcomers to Australia over the past 12 months are the most recent mid-size SUVs from MG and Hyundai.

Arriving in native showrooms over the last 12 months are the second-generation Hyundai Kona and MG S5 EV. Each are contemporary and new, with entry costs proper within the five-seater heartland at round $40,000, and so they include the sort of cabin area and gear now demanded by households.

The all-new Kona is greater than earlier than, creating more room for the smaller Inster EV beneath it because the South Korean automaker’s city-focused soft-roader, and it’s provided with a alternative of petrol, hybrid or absolutely electrical powertrains.

The MG S5 EV is a landmark mannequin for the Chinese language automaker because the model’s first devoted battery-electric SUV , and a key a part of a brand new mannequin onslaught that can increase its portfolio and reinforce its ambitions to change into a real top-five participant in Australia.

It replaces MG’s authentic electrical car, the MG ZS EVwhich landed in 2020 and received its manner into greater than 7000 properties by being one of many first inexpensive options to a Teslaand it’s primarily based on the identical underpinnings because the award-winning MG 4 hatchback.

How a lot?

The MG S5 EV is obtainable in two mannequin grades, every with the selection of both a 49kWh or 62kWh battery pack, with costs beginning at $40,490 drive-away for the entry-level Excite and topping out at $47,990 drive-away for the range-topping Essence with the bigger battery.

The Hyundai Kona is obtainable in three trim ranges throughout all three powertrain choices, with the power to improve to the sportier N-Line remedy with the mid-spec Elite and flagship Premium variants, creating a much wider mannequin vary.

The petrol-powered fashions, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, are probably the most inexpensive, beginning at $35,990 drive-away (for NSW patrons within the Sydney CBD) for the eponymous entry variant, and rising by to $49,307.95 plus on-roads for the costliest Premium N-Line model, with the hybrid powertrain costing an additional $4000 throughout the board.

Stepping as much as the absolutely electrical variants brings a substantial worth premium, with probably the most inexpensive mannequin – the Customary Vary with a 48.6kWh battery – costing from $54,000 plus on-roads, and the costliest – the Prolonged Vary Premium N-Line with a 64.8kWh battery – costing $71,000 plus on-roads.

So, from right here on in, we’re going to check the flagship MG S5 EV in Essence trim with the long-range 62kWh battery that prices $47,990 drive-away towards the Kona Hybrid Premium that prices a bit extra at $50,537.95 drive-away (for NSW patrons in Sydney CBD).

What do you get?

The essential gear in each SUVs is way as anticipated, and contains all the pieces from electrical home windows and air-conditioning to massive show screens. However, sometimes of all new Chinese language arrivals, the MG scores a spread of ‘bells and whistles’ that can impress in showrooms.

Shared gear throughout each fashions contains:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Energy operated tailgate
• Keyless entry with push-button begin
• Panoramic sunroof
• Local weather management air-conditioning with rear air vents
• Energy home windows
• Adjustable inside ambient lighting
• Energy-adjustable driver’s seat
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated outboard rear seats
• Leather-based inside trim
• Digital instrument cluster
• Infotainment touchscreen
• Embedded satellite tv for pc navigation
• Bluetooth connectivity
• DAB+ digital radio
• Smartphone mirroring
• Wi-fi telephone charger

The Hyundai provides a couple of extra luxuries together with full leather-based inside trim in comparison with the MG’s mixture of artificial leather-based and fabric, plus ventilated entrance seats, heated rear seats and dual-zone local weather management.

Each automobiles include related providers, with smartphone apps permitting for distant entry to sure features whereas additionally sending automated notifications and alerts.

Are they secure?

The MG S5 EV scores a most five-star ANCAP security score underneath the most recent protocols whereas the Hyundai solely has a four-star score.

Customary security options in each automobiles embrace:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • incl. pedestrian and bicycle owner detection
• Adaptive Cruise Management with cease and go
• Lane Holding Help
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross visitors alert
• Driver monitoring
• Door opening warning
• Velocity signal recognition
• Automated excessive beams
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree parking show
• Tyre stress monitoring

Occupants within the Kona are protected by eight airbags, however the MG goes one step additional with a centre airbag between the entrance seats that may scale back accidents for the driving force and passenger in a side-impact collision.

What are they like inside?

The brand new Kona appears to be like vastly extra fashionable inside in comparison with its predecessor, thanks principally to the large new digital display screen which is properly built-in into the sprint, not like many automobiles that seem like they’ve an iPad caught on high.

The seats are properly formed and cozy, there’s good area within the again seats for adults, and the boot is roomy in all three instructions above a space-saver spare tyre.

So, the Kona is nice, however the MG S5 is a technology forward when it comes to inside design and last ending. It’s fashionable and welcoming.

MG is aware of that is the stuff that will get individuals dedicated to its automobiles, so the form and really feel of the bodily controls for the air-con and audio rating extremely, and it’s the identical for the adjusters on the air vents.

There’s a lot of space for storing within the doorways, in addition to a big bin within the centre console, which has change into typical for EVs.

The again seat is roomy and so is the 453-litre boot, which is barely larger than the Hyundai’s 407L cargo capability. However there isn’t a spare, only a tyre inflator, which is might be a deal-breaker for drivers in pothole-riddled nation areas.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The EV package deal within the MG S5 is pretty commonplace, though it misses a ‘frunk’ within the nostril as a result of the area is used for the battery parts.

All variants use the identical 125kW/150Nm electrical motor that drives the rear wheels, and have lithium-ion polymer battery packs, with the bigger 62kWh unit delivering up 425km of driving vary on the WLTP cycle.

It has the next most cost fee too, able to utilising 150kW DC fast-chargers (in comparison with 120kW for the smaller 49kWh battery) and might replenish its battery from 30-80 per cent in simply over 19 minutes.

The Hyundai, alternatively, pairs a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electrical motor and a 1.32kWh lithium-ion polymer battery to supply most mixed outputs of 104kW and 265Nm.

It drives the entrance wheels by a six-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission and makes use of regenerative braking to recharge the battery. The Kona Hybrid has a claimed common gasoline consumption of three.9L/100km.

Price of possession

Other than charging prices, and gasoline for its rival, the MG S5 is roofed by the model’s benchmark 10-year, 250,000km guarantee (seven years and unlimited-km if the automotive is serviced exterior the MG vendor community), together with free roadside help.

Service prices common $393 yearly over 5 years, with intervals of 12 months and 25,000km, and fewer of the wear-and-tear of a combustion package deal.

The Kona is roofed by a normal five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee that’s prolonged to seven years if the car is maintained in accordance with the prescribed schedule by Hyundai’s authorised vendor community.

The Kona requires servicing each 12 months or 15,000km, with a median value of $534 for the primary seven years.

CarExpert’s Choose

Like taking part in the clowns at a enjoyable honest, everyone seems to be a winner right here whichever route you select.

The Kona is a step up from the unique and its huge vary of powertrains and mannequin grades additionally makes it simple to search out the ‘goldilocks’ automotive for any purchaser.

As a (very) inexpensive battery-electric SUV, the MG is clearly forward when it comes to worth, operating prices and aftersales backup, whereas the design work is nice, and the essential ‘liveability’ issue is excessive.

The MG S5 EV is already being judged as a landmark automotive for the model and, with the corporate’s ongoing deal with worth and buyer satisfaction, it shouldn’t be ignored.

Click on the pictures for the total gallery

MORE: Discover the Hyundai Kona showroom

MORE: Discover the MG S5 EV showroom