Affordable electric cars are a hot topic at DrivingElectric, and one company that’s rightly praised for offering affordable zero-emission offerings is MG. For 2022, we’ve named the new MG ZS EV our Car of the Year and voted it the best value electric car in the UK. However, if you’re simply looking for the most electric vehicle bang for your buck, the larger MG 5 estate might be your best bet.

The MG 5 might be in a class of its own as an electric estate car – the Porsche Taycan Cross and Sport Turismo are more shooting brakes than true family haulers – but the Volkswagen ID.3 has plenty of appeal on its own as a down-to-earth EV. It also starts at around £30,000 but offers some more modern flourishes.

MG5

Advantages: Practical, lots of standard equipment, from under £30,000

Disadvantages: Plastic interior, not the best to drive, refreshed model that is slow to arrive

Volkswagen ID.3

Advantages: Good to drive, decent range and performance, stylish looks

Disadvantages: Disappointing interior quality, fiddly infotainment, weak regenerative braking

We have to acknowledge two things at this point: a facelifted MG 5 is arriving in the UK later this year, and Volkswagen has temporarily phased out all but one version of the ID.3 due to global semiconductor shortages. This particular model is a pricier option than the one reviewed here, but maybe it’s worth waiting for the entry-level VW ID.3? Let’s find out…