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MG5 EV vs Renault Zoe (ZE40)
Selected trimSE Standard Range · 2022-24Change trim199 mi · 50.3 kWh · £30,995
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, MG MG5 EV leads on value for money, while the Renault Zoe leads on family practicality, charging speed and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MG5 EV if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
Choose the Renault Zoe (ZE40) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault Zoe leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMG
MG
4.7
Renault
0
Motorway Range
MG
3.3
Renault
3.1
Too close to call
FamilyRenault
MG
5
Renault
6.9
ChargingRenault
MG
0.4
Renault
4.1
Cost Per MileRenault
MG
4.5
Renault
6.3
City DrivingRenault
MG
6.2
Renault
8.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
MG5 EV
SE Standard Range
- 25 miles more WLTP range
- 141 litres more boot space
- 44 kW faster rapid charging
- 50 kW more power
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | MG5 EVSE Standard Range | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,995 | Not available |
| Official range | 199 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Boot space | 479 L (better) | 338 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 40 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8.3 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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MG5 EV
Renault Zoe
Length
MG5 EV4,600mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm-516mm
Width
MG5 EV1,818mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-88mm
Height
MG5 EV1,543mm-19mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MG5 EVSE Standard Range | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,600 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,818 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,056 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,543 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 582 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MG5 EVSE Standard Range | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 479 L (better) | 338 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1456 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 500 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
MG5 EV
- At 4,600 mm, shorter than 90% of estate EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 10.6 m turning circle, tighter than 100% of estate EVs in our database.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  MG5 EV SE Standard Range |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.60m | 4.08m-516mm |
| Width | 1.82m | 1.73m-88mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | Not available |
| Height | 1.54m | 1.56m+19mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.66m | 2.59m-71mm |
| Ground Clearance | 136mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 479L (better) | 338L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1456L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 10.56m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,562kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 500kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 50.3kWh (better) | 41kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 199 mi (better) | 174 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 87kW (better) | 43kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,995 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Estate | Hatchback |
| Available | 2022–2024 | 2017–2019 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MG5 EVSE Standard Range | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 199 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 166 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 40 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 87 kW (better) | 43 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 43 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 46 kWh (better) | 40 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MG5 EVSE Standard Range | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.3 sec | Not available |
| Power | 115 kW (better) | 65 kW |
| Torque | 280 Nm (better) | 220 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
MG5 EV
SE Standard Range
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
MG5 EV
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | MG5 EVSE Standard Range | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £10,395 | £5,895 |
| Average used price | £11,295 | £7,400 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 8.6% over ~6 months | Up 7.3% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90
Tested 2013
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MG5 EVSE Standard Range | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 7 years | 8 years (better) |
| Battery warranty distance | 0 km | 160,934 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, seat comfort & space, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
MG5 EV
SE Standard Range
Owners love
- Practical estate body style provides significantly more usable boot space than comparable hatchbacks, with good cargo capacity for families and tradework
- Excellent value for money at under £20k with available affinity schemes and dealer discounts, offering 250+ miles of genuine real-world range
- Liquid-cooled LFP battery chemistry resists degradation better than air-cooled alternatives, with owners reporting high-mileage reliability (70k+ miles in taxi use)
Watch out for
- Significant depreciation concerns as used EV values drop rapidly; fuel savings often negated over typical 3-4 year ownership periods
- Missing active safety features and lacks NCAP crash test rating, with older models lacking automatic emergency braking
- Poor range efficiency and slower acceleration (115kW) compared to Nissan Leaf+, with only 70kW rapid charging versus Leaf+ up to 100kW
Owner tips
- Prioritize the Long Range model (61.1 kWh) for automatic emergency braking, ACC, and latest facelift improvements; verify latest software updates installed by dealer before purchase
- Use Zappi wallbox with myenergi app for scheduled charging workaround on Standard Range models, and test CCS rapid charging before buying to avoid potential negotiation failures
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
Owners love
- Smooth, comfortable driving experience with instant electric acceleration and low center of gravity providing excellent handling
- Minimal maintenance with fewer mechanical parts than ICE vehicles; owners report excellent reliability with minimal repairs over 50k+ miles
- Good real-world range of 120-170 miles depending on conditions and battery size, suitable for daily driving and planned longer journeys
Watch out for
- No CCS fast charging capability on most Zoe models; limited to 22kW AC charging, making long journeys time-consuming (8+ hours with multiple stops)
- Very small glovebox and rear seats that don't fold flat, limiting practical storage and cargo flexibility
- AC-only charging infrastructure becoming scarce; 44kW rapid chargers increasingly hard to find in the UK
Owner tips
- Apply PTFE spray to charging socket gasket before winter to prevent freezing; keep spare remote control batteries on hand as they deplete quickly
- Set tire pressure to 40psi instead of Renault's recommendation to reduce premature edge wear; use heavy-duty rated replacement tires suited to the vehicle's weight
Buying options
Get a quote
MG5 EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MG5 EV
- £11,6952022Drive GreenView
- £12,8952022Drive GreenView
- £14,6952023Drive GreenView
Renault Zoe
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the MG MG5 EV and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 166 miles for the MG MG5 EV and 145 miles for the Renault Zoe - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MG MG5 EV goes roughly 21 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MG MG5 EV or the Renault Zoe?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 88 mm narrower than the MG MG5 EV. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 582 mm of total clearance for the MG MG5 EV.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MG MG5 EV or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the MG MG5 EV and 84% for the Renault Zoe. That gives the MG MG5 EV a modest edge in retained real-world range. The MG MG5 EV's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Renault Zoe's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. The Renault Zoe has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the MG MG5 EV.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More MG MG5 EV comparisons
More Renault Zoe comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the MG MG5 EV and Renault Zoe rank among the best family EVsWhere the MG MG5 EV and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MG MG5 EV and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the MG MG5 EV and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MG MG5 EV and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MG MG5 EV and Renault Zoe rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .