MG ES5 vs Skoda Elroq: Battle of the All-New Compact Electric SUVs

Saudi Arabia: The automotive landscape is witnessing a deluge of new electric cars, encompassing various segments and price points. While not a newcomer to the EV scene globally, the brand’s Saudi operation currently fields only the MG 4 Electric as its sole EV. This is expected to change with the introduction of the all-new MG ES5. Interestingly, the ES5 shares its Modular Scalable Platform architecture with the former.

Another EV that’s expected to enter the Saudi market is the all-new Skoda Elroq. The Elroq is based on the VW Group’s electric-only MEB platform. This architecture also underpins the Skoda Enyaq and even premium electric cars such as the Audi Q4 e-tron. Both the MG ES5 and Skoda Elroq are compact electric SUVs and should compete at comparable price brackets in the Middle East.

Price Comparison

1. The MG ES5 could be made available in two trim levels in Saudi Arabia. The entry-level 49kWh RWD SE variant starts at GBP 28,745 in the UK, roughly translating to SAR 146,450. While this is unlikely to be the starting price of the new ES5 in KSA, it gives us a fair understanding of the EV’s prospective market value. There’s also the 64kWh RWD Long Range variant which, in KSA, could cost over SAR 160,000.
2. In comparison to the MG, the Skoda Elroq is a pricier car in the UK, starting at GBP 31,710 (roughly SAR 161,500). Upon its possible launch in Saudi Arabia, the Elroq could cost SAR 10,000-15,000 more than the equivalent ES5. Speaking of which, the entry-level variant of the Skoda EV in the UK is the Elroq 50. While no official launch dates in KSA have been announced, both new EVs are expected in late 2025.

Dimensions Comparison

Even though the MG ES5 and Skoda Elroq are both compact crossover SUVs, there are distinct differences in their dimensions. Let’s take a closer at the numbers to better understand how these two stack up.

Dimensions	MG ES5	Skoda Elroq
Length	4,476 mm	4,488 mm
Width	1,849 mm	1,884 mm
Height	1,621 mm	1,654 mm
Wheelbase	2,730 mm	2,765 mm
Weight	1,635 kg	1,871 kg
Boot capacity	453 litres	470 litres
Wheel size	17-18 inches	19-21 inches

 The new Elroq is ever so slightly bigger but also considerably heavier than the MG ES5. Its longer and wider body allows the Skoda EV to accommodate a larger wheelbase and boot space, pushing its practicality quotient higher. Neither car lacks usable legroom nor limited headroom for backseat passengers. However, the ES5 offers slightly more of the latter than the Elroq.

The Skoda Elroq, however, can be had with larger alloy wheels than the ES5 in most markets. The design language of the Elroq is distinctly different from other Skoda cars sold in KSA at the moment. It wears a sleek black band on the nose with prominent LED DRL bars, plus there’s black body cladding all around. These, along with the bigger wheels, lend the Elroq its SUV-ness.

Unlike older Skoda models, the Elroq does away with brand emblems and now has “Skoda” spelled-out on the bonnet and tailgate. Other modern touches here include premium-looking 3D-designed LED taillights and chrome window surrounds. Moreover, its tapered side profile looks cool but doesn’t hinder the in-cabin ergonomics much. It’s reasonably sporty and suave in appearance but not distractingly so.

The upright but chiselled front fascia and relatively flatter sides of the ES5 lend it the ‘SUV’ look, especially when viewed in vacuum. Similarities with the Elroq include the positioning of the DRLs and the bumper-integrated headlamps & air intakes. Both cars are available with aero-friendly wheels in select markets, though the sculpted doors and gentler curves on the MG EV look classier. Also, there’s visually more interior space in the MG than in the Skoda.

Drivetrain and Performance Comparison

The MG ES5 and Skoda Elroq are available with two or more battery sizes in several markets. This strategy is likely to be carried over when they make it to Saudi Arabia, too. Both EVs run on 400V architectures and get lithium-ion batteries that differ in their chemical compositions – either LFP or NMC depending on the variants. What are the actual technical specifications of these cars like? Let’s find out.

Specs	MG ES5	Skoda Elroq
Battery Capacity	49 kWh (LFP)/64 kWh (NMC)	55 kWh/63 kWh
Electric Motor	One electric motor (PMSM)	One electric motor (PMSM)
Drive Type	RWD	RWD
Power	168 hp (125 kW)/228 hp (170 kW)	168 hp (125 kW)/201 hp (150 kW)
Torque	250 Nm/350 Nm	310 Nm
Range	340 km/480 km (WLTP)	377 km/430 km (WLTP)
Charging Time (DC)	10-80% in 24 mins/28 mins (up to 150kW)	10-80% in 25 mins/24 mins (up to 165kW)
Top Speed	162 kmph	160 kmph
0-100 kmph	8 seconds/6.3 seconds	9 seconds/8 seconds

 The base variants of the MG ES5 and Skoda Elroq have identical power output, 125 kW or roughly 168 hp. However, that cannot be said for the maximum torque of the two cars, where we find the Elroq to be punchier. Their permanent-magnet electric motors are largely identical too, while both employ rear-wheel drive as standard.

When comparing the higher variants, it's the Skoda EV that charges up faster to 80%. This is only true if you can find a 165kW DC charger, though. The sizes of the battery packs in the higher variants of the ES5 and Elroq mentioned here are almost the same. However, the MG ES5 manages more range out of its larger battery than the Elroq, a difference of about 50 km.

Considering that neither of the cars are performance-oriented, a top speed of around 160 kmph shouldn’t stump most buyers. If you want the quicker car, the MG ES5 will satiate your need for speed when it comes to accelerating from 0-100 kmph. The ES5 drives well for a family electric SUV, balancing good body control without feeling too firm over bad roads. Wind and suspension noise is mostly low, but the Elroq manages it even better.

The Skoda Elroq drives even better in some instances – its body control overall feels superior to the ES5. The ride quality is excellent at higher speeds, but opting for larger wheels may introduce a level of firmness that some may not appreciate. The view out of the driver’s seat of the Skoda is good with no intrusive blind spots. The MG scores well up front, though rearward visibility can be hindered by the rear-seat headrests.

Features Comparison

There’s no dearth of modern features in either of the two cars. From the basics to brand-specific inclusions, buyers will not be left disappointed no matter which EV they pick. Do note that the models and their features described here are UK-specific. However, most of these features should reach the Saudi market as and when these cars are launched.

Exterior Features	MG ES5	Skoda Elroq
Automatic LED headlights	Yes (w/ auto high-beams)	Yes (w/ auto high-beams)
Foglights	Yes (rear)	Yes (front & rear)
Powered ORVMs	Yes (power-folding & heated)	Yes (power-folding & heated)
Active air vents	Yes	Yes
Powered tailgate	Yes (motion-activated)	Yes (motion-activated)
Rain-sensing wipers	Yes	Yes
Faux roof rails	Yes	Yes
Rear spoiler	Yes	Yes

 As with many Skoda models, the interior of the all-new Elroq has plenty of clever solutions to make everyday life simpler. This includes rear sunblinds, the Skoda-favourite hidden umbrella, various storage cubbies, and even a storage space specifically for the car’s charging cable. Skoda has made generous use of recycled plastic & fibres to trim the Elroq’s cabin, along with suede-like materials and soft leather.

The interior of the Elroq is available in all-black with contrasting green stitching and a two-tone design with orange accents. The latter makes for an upmarket feel whilst the former lends a sporty touch. The quality of materials is good and the design looks smart, too. There’s plenty of space for front-seat occupants (even the tall ones), whilst rear legroom isn’t in short supply either.

The swooping dashboard and two-spoke steering wheel of the Elroq look great, but its digital instrument cluster is rather small. Meanwhile, the larger gauge cluster screen of the MG ES5 means it’s easier to read at a quick glance. The minimalistic dashboard design of the ES5 looks more contemporary while retaining some physical buttons, which many new cars skip altogether!

While it feels airier and more spacious in some regards, the interior of the MG ES5 feels arguably more conventional too. The colour theme is pretty simple but totally inoffensive, which is a big plus. The seats are nice and comfortable, well-suited for long-distance drives. There are few scratchy materials in this cabin, but there are also spacious door cubbies plus an adjustable boot floor. Let’s now look at the tech these cars are packing.

Interior Technologies	MG ES5	Skoda Elroq
Electric sunroof	Yes (panoramic)	No
Digital driver’s display	Yes (10.25-inch)	Yes (5-inch)
Touchscreen infotainment	Yes (12.8-inch)	Yes (13-inch)
Voice command	Yes	Yes
Wireless charger	Yes	Yes
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto	Yes (wireless)	Yes
Drive/terrain selector	Yes (5 modes)	Yes (4 modes)
Sound system	Yes (6-speaker audio)	Yes (8-speaker audio)
Vehicle-to-load (V2L)	Yes	No

 As seen above, there are some features that are easily available with the MG ES5 but not with the Skoda Elroq. Then again, the exact feature set that will be offered with these cars may vary once they are actually on sale in KSA. Despite the price delta between the two, the higher variants of the ES5 and Elroq should be evenly matched when it comes to the onboard conveniences.

Comfort Offerings	MG ES5	Skoda Elroq
Leather upholstery	Yes	Yes
Powered front seats	Yes	Yes
Heated/cooled front seats	Yes	Yes
Automatic climate control	Yes (single-zone)	Yes (dual-zone)
Electronic parking brake	Yes	Yes
Adjustable steering wheel	Yes (tilt & telescopic)	Yes (tilt & telescopic)
LED ambient lighting	No	Yes
USB ports	4	4

 Considering its higher price, the Skoda Elroq gets a more comprehensive set of standard comfort & convenience equipment. When it comes to their safety features, however, both cars come with multiple modern systems to keep you out of harm’s way. Let’s see what this entails in the table below.

Safety Systems	MG ES5	Skoda Elroq
Adaptive cruise control	Yes (w/ collision warning)	Yes (w/ collision warning)
Auto-emergency braking	Yes	Yes
Lane-departure warning	Yes (w/ LKA & ELK)	Yes (w/ LKA)
Blind-spot detection	Yes	Yes
Rear cross-traffic alert	Yes	Yes
Driver attention alert	Yes	No
Traffic sign recognition	Yes	Yes
Traffic jam assist	Yes	Yes
Door Open Warning	Yes	Yes
Tire-pressure monitoring	Yes	Yes
Surround-view cameras	Yes	Yes
Parking sensors	Yes (front & rear)	Yes (front & rear)
Airbags	Yes (7)	Yes (9)
ESP & TCS	Yes	Yes
Hill-start assist	Yes (w/ auto-hold)	Yes (w/ auto-hold)

Conclusion

There’s no denying that there are more MG cars on Saudi roads than Skodas. This vast popularity difference will play a key role when it comes to the all-new ES5 and its prospective success. On the other hand, the all-new Skoda Elroq boasts chic European class wrapped in Skoda sensibilities. It’s bigger and features a more interesting interior. The MG looks more SUV-ish, packs lots of equipment, and costs less.