Verdict
These cars split the brief rather than merely the price. The Aion ES is a larger C-segment sedan, 4,810 mm long, with a 55.2-kWh battery and 442 km of range; it is the choice for fewer charging stops. The RM2,332-cheaper MG S5 is a five-door SUV with a 453-litre boot, while its 168 hp rear motor and 120 kW DC charging make it the quicker-charging alternative. Its 340 km range is the clear trade-off.
Pick the Aion ES if maximum range matters most and you want 442 km from a 55.2-kWh battery.
Pick the MG S5 if you want a five-door SUV with 168 hp, rear-wheel drive and 120 kW DC charging for less money.
Key differences
- Price and road tax: Aion ES RM106,800 and RM70/year; MG S5 RM104,468 and RM120/year.
- Motor and drive: Aion ES 136 hp, 225 Nm, front-wheel drive; MG S5 168 hp, 250 Nm, rear-wheel drive.
- Battery and range: Aion ES 55.2 kWh and 442 km; MG S5 49 kWh and 340 km.
- Charging and V2L: Aion ES 6.6 kW AC, 60 kW DC, 3.3 kW V2L; MG S5 7 kW AC, 120 kW DC, 2.5 kW V2L.
- Body and size: Aion ES is a 4,810-mm sedan on a 2,750-mm wheelbase; MG S5 is a 4,476-mm SUV on a 2,730-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Aion ES 450 litres; MG S5 453 litres.
ES
- 442 km EV range from a 55.2-kWh battery
- 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load output
- Eight-year, 160,000-km manufacturer warranty
- 60 kW DC charging versus the MG S5's 120 kW
- 136 hp and 225 Nm versus 168 hp and 250 Nm
S5
- 168 hp, 250 Nm rear motor
- 120 kW DC charging
- Five doors, 453-litre boot and locally assembled CKD status
- 340 km range versus the Aion ES's 442 km
- 49-kWh battery versus 55.2 kWh
- 2.5 kW V2L output versus 3.3 kW
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM106,800 | RM104,468✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | 168 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 55.2 kWh✓ | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | 442 km✓ | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 7 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | 120 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.0 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,476 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,849 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,730 mm |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres | 453 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55 R17 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | — | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | — | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 17" Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 17" Black Alloys |
| Steering | — | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | — | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | — | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | — | Fabric; Six-way Manual Driver Seat, Four-way Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | — | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | — | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | — | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | — | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 7 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Battery pack 8-yr/180,000 km; motor control unit 8-yr/160,000 km |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used ES & S5 for sale
ES vs S5 FAQ
Is the Aion ES or MG S5 better?
The Aion ES is better for range, delivering 442 km against 340 km. The MG S5 is better if faster 120 kW DC charging, a 168 hp rear motor and a five-door SUV body matter more.
What is the price difference?
The MG S5 costs RM2,332 less than the Aion ES: RM104,468 versus RM106,800. Its annual road tax is RM120, compared with RM70 for the Aion ES.
Which one charges faster?
The MG S5 charges faster on DC power, at up to 120 kW versus 60 kW for the Aion ES. Its AC rate is also marginally higher at 7 kW against 6.6 kW.