They cut the noise. Or at least they cut the confusing middle-tier options that nobody actually buys. The 2026 MG S1 is gone. No Excite grades anymore. Just the Essence models remain, stripped down to the two that mattered most for about eighty percent of sales anyway. Smart move. Streamlined lineup, same rivals. BYD Atto 3. Geely EX5. Hyundai Kona Electric. The fight isn’t getting any easier but the MG is trying harder.
Less Choice, Same Price
The entry-level Essence 49 costs $42,990. Drive away. Nothing fancy about that price tag but the spec sheet hasn’t moved. It still packs the 49kWh LFP battery, hence the name, and a 125kW rear motor. Range is a claimed 335km on the WLTP cycle. It’s enough. You probably don’t need more if this is your only car, though you might if your definition of ‘commute’ includes driving to Perth and back without stopping.
Customer feedback helped shape these updates.
Dimitri Andreatidis from MG Motor Australia knows what buyers care about. Range. That’s it. It’s the anxiety killer. So they left the cheaper variant alone because people who want cheap usually compromise on distance.
The big story is the Essence 62. This is the one getting the upgrade love. And yet. It still costs $47,990. Not a cent more than before. Why would you do that unless you’re worried about the competition eating your lunch? The 62kWh battery now pushes out 150kW of power. Up from 125. Torque jumps too. A full 100Nm more means this little SUV isn’t just fast for its class it’s genuinely quick.
0 to 100km/h now takes seven seconds. Previously it took 8.6. That is a massive gap. You notice it merging onto a highway. More importantly, the range jumps 25km. To 450km claimed. That puts it firmly in the “yes, we can take that trip” category without doing the mental math three times.
Standard Gear
Both variants get the same interior toys now since the budget options vanished. Eighteen-inch alloys. LED DRLs. You get a 10.24-inch digital cluster behind the wheel and a huge 12.8-inch touchscreen. It’s all very modern. 360-degree cameras make parking the wider body easier, though you still might scratch something in tight spaces.
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are there. Heated seats. A panoramic roof. A kick-to-open tailgate. It’s a loaded spec sheet for under fifty grand. The new MG S6 starts at $49,999 which sits right on top of the upgraded S5. You can argue the S6 is the better car. Size-wise. Tech-wise. But the S5 punches above its weight class now with that power boost.
Launch and Discounts
The S5 landed in April 2024 as the ZS successor. It sold well. Second only to the MG 4 hatch in the first half of 26. Good timing for the update then. While it’s fresh. While interest is high.
If you act now though there’s a tiny carrot on the stick. $1000 off. Valid until July 31, 2626. The Essence 49 drops to $41,999. The Essence 62 slips to $46,909. It’s not a huge saving. Barely enough to buy new tires honestly. But every bit helps.
Does the power jump make up for losing the simpler trims? Probably not for everyone. Some just wanted cheap wheels that spin. But for those who care about going from zero to sixty in a rush without watching their range gauge dip into the red. The math works out better than before.
Just don’t expect perfection. Just expect more zippy. And maybe a little more range. If you can get past the slightly plasticky feel inside, it’s a contender. Maybe.
