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MG S5 EV vs Vauxhall Combo Life (2021-2024)
Selected trimSE Long RangeChange trim298 mi · 64 kWh · £31,495
Selected trim50kWh · 2021-24174 mi · 50 kWh · £34,110
At a glance
In this comparison, MG S5 EV leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Vauxhall Combo Life stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the MG S5 EV if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p 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 MG S5 EV wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueMG
MG
6.8
Vauxhall
5.3
Motorway RangeMG
MG
4.1
Vauxhall
2.4
FamilyMG
MG
6.3
Vauxhall
5.4
Charging
MG
3.9
Vauxhall
3.8
Too close to call
Cost Per MileMG
MG
4.8
Vauxhall
2.1
City DrivingMG
MG
6.6
Vauxhall
5.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
MG S5 EV
SE Long Range
- £2,615 cheaper
- 124 miles more WLTP range
- 39 kW faster rapid charging
- 70 kW more power
- 5.4s quicker 0-62 mph
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | MG S5 EVSE Long Range | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £31,495 (better) | £34,110 |
| Official range | 298 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Boot space | 453 L | 775 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.3 sec (better) | 11.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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MG S5 EV
Vauxhall Combo Life
Length
MG S5 EV4,476mm
Vauxhall Combo Life4,410mm-66mm
Width
MG S5 EV1,849mm-72mm
Vauxhall Combo Life1,921mm
Height
MG S5 EV1,621mm-191mm
Vauxhall Combo Life1,812mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MG S5 EVSE Long Range | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,476 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,849 mm (better) | 1,921 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,094 mm (better) | 2,107 mm |
| Height | 1,621 mm | 1,812 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.5 m (better) | 10.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 551 mm spare (better) | 479 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MG S5 EVSE Long Range | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 453 L | 775 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1441 L | 2130 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  MG S5 EV SE Long Range |  Vauxhall Combo Life 50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.48m | 4.41m-66mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.92m+72mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.09m | 2.11m+13mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.81m+191mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.73m | 2.79m+55mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 453L | 775L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1441L | 2130L (better) |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.53m (better) | 10.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,680kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64kWh (better) | 50kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 298 mi (better) | 174 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 139kW (better) | 100kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £31,495 (better) | £34,110 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | MPV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2021–2024 |
* MG S5 EV: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MG S5 EVSE Long Range | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 298 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 208 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 139 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 7.4 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 155 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 62.1 kWh (better) | 50 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MG S5 EVSE Long Range | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.3 sec (better) | 11.7 sec |
| Power | 170 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Torque | 350 Nm (better) | 270 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | 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.
MG S5 EV
SE Long Range
Vauxhall Combo Life
50kWh
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.
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 | MG S5 EVSE Long Range | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £20,214 | £12,867 |
| Average used price | £20,595 | £13,790 |
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 - MG S5 EV SE Long Range
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users82%
Safety Assist78%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Vauxhall Combo Life 50kWh
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant81%
Vulnerable Road Users58%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MG S5 EVSE Long Range | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
MG S5 EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Vauxhall Combo Life
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MG S5 EV
- £23,4902026Cars2View
Vauxhall Combo Life
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vauxhall Combo Life worth the extra £2,615 over the MG S5 EV?
The Vauxhall Combo Life costs £2,615 more than the MG S5 EV. For that premium it adds 322 litres more boot space. The MG S5 EV is not just cheaper - it also offers 124 miles more WLTP range, 39 kW faster peak rapid charging and 70 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MG S5 EV comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the MG S5 EV or the Vauxhall Combo Life?
The MG S5 EV is £2,615 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MG S5 EV comes out roughly £2,735 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the MG S5 EV and Vauxhall Combo Life like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 208 miles for the MG S5 EV and 145 miles for the Vauxhall Combo Life - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MG S5 EV goes roughly 63 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the MG S5 EV or the Vauxhall Combo Life?
The MG S5 EV is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 72 mm narrower than the Vauxhall Combo Life. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 551 mm of total clearance for the MG S5 EV and about 479 mm of total clearance for the Vauxhall Combo Life.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MG S5 EV or the Vauxhall Combo Life?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MG S5 EV and 84% for the Vauxhall Combo Life. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
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 S5 EV comparisons
More Vauxhall Combo Life 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 S5 EV and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among EVs under £40,000Where the MG S5 EV and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MG S5 EV and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among the best city EVsWhere the MG S5 EV and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MG S5 EV and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MG S5 EV and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used MG S5 EV (2025 on): Standard vs Long Range & What to Pay
A used MG S5 EV buyer’s guide: the 49 kWh and 64 kWh versions, SE vs Trophy, MG’s 7-year warranty and how to keep it, heavily discounted new cars vs nearly new, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Citroën ë-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Rifter or Vauxhall Combo-e Life (2021 on): Recalls, Range & What to Pay
A used buyer’s guide to the electric Citroën ë-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Rifter, Vauxhall Combo-e Life and Toyota Proace City Verso: the 50 kWh and 52 kWh generations, recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .