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Choosing an electric family SUV has become much harder lately, but for all the right reasons. Three new models we recently reviewed – evenly matched jacku 5, MG S5 And world auto 2 – Has helped refine the segment in 2025, introducing a standard of style, technology and value that was unheard of just a few years ago.
The Jaecoo 5 makes a strong first impression with its attractive design and premium interior. The MG S5 focuses on class-leading range and all-round utility. And the BYD Atto 2 enters the fray as the most comfortable and refined car to drive. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so we’ve put them head-to-head to find out which car is worth your money.
Independent Rating: 8/10
- professional: Exceptional value, high-end design, long kit list
- Shortcoming: Firm ride, lackluster steering, minor touchscreen quirks
jeku 5 specifications
- price range: £27,505 to £30,505
- Battery Size: 61kWh
- Maximum Claim Limit: 248 miles
- Maximum Charging Rate: 80 kilowatts
- Capacity: 3.8miles/kWh
Independent Rating: 8/10
- professional: Strong value, practical interior and roomy boot, good to drive
- Shortcoming: Infotainment is a bit slow, ride comfort could be simpler, best kit reserved for the most expensive variant
mg s5 specifications
- price range: £28,495 – £33,495
- Battery Size: 49 and 64 kilowatts
- Maximum Claim Limit: 298 miles
- miles per kilowatt: 4.0
- Maximum Charging Rate: 135 kilowatts
Independent Rating: 8/10
- professional: Spacious, comfortable, lots of tech and well built
- Shortcoming: More expensive than competitors
BYD Act 2 Specifications
- price range: £30,850 to £34,950
- Battery Size: 51.4kWh and 64.8kWh
- Maximum Claim Limit: 267 miles
- miles per kilowatt: 4.1
- Maximum Charging Rate: 155 kilowatts
Battery, range and charging
The MG S5 SE Long Range is the range champion of the three. At a modest £2,500 more than the entry-level model, the larger 64kWh battery delivers a stronger official range of 298 miles. Its 135kW peak charging speed is also fast, meaning less time spent on motorway services.
The BYD Atto 2 is also no slouch, with a claimed range of 267 miles with its larger battery option. The top-of-the-line Comfort trim can also reach charging speeds of 155kW, charging you from 30 to 80 percent in 21 minutes.
The Jacu 5 has the weakest on-paper specifications in its range, although its performance is by no means bad. The 248-mile range is the shortest of the three and its 80kW peak charging speed is the slowest. This is still more than enough for most drivers, but lags behind the competition.
Winner: MG S5. It offers the longest driving range and decently quick charging, making it a practical option for families who plan to occasionally travel long distances.
performance and drive
Performance is where BYD moves away from the competition. The Atto 2 is one of the best family-friendly EVs we’ve driven, with superior body control that makes it comfortable without feeling like you’re floating.
The MG S5 is easygoing rather than exciting, offering a competent and predictable blend of ride and handling. It’s not a thrilling car, but it’s safe and comfortable enough for family duties.
The Jakoo 5 is a little less engaging to drive, especially on British roads, with a slightly stiff and unsettled ride that disagrees with broken tarmac, combined with light but vague steering. While less-than-impressive handling is hardly a deal-breaker, those small dynamic shortcomings are its most glaring flaw.
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Winner: BYD Atto 2. It offers the most comfortable and well-balanced driving experience among the three.
interior and practicality
When it comes to the interior, the Jaecoo 5 stands apart from the pack with a surprisingly upscale cabin, with attractive design and quality materials, at a mouth-watering price. It comes with a large 480-litre boot and some clever family-friendly features like Pet Mode, which keeps the car cool for them when you’re not around.
The BYD Atto 2 also feels like a small luxury car, with soft-touch materials and lots of premium touches. Its blade battery design allows for a completely flat floor, creating a large amount of passenger space, although its 400-litre boot is the smallest here.
The MG S5 is the least specced of the group with a smart but simple cabin. However, it is an undeniably practical family SUV, with ample passenger space and a generous 453-litre boot. Steve said, “The MG S5 is well-equipped, but hardly groundbreaking to anyone familiar with modern electric SUV interiors.” mg s5 review“You’ve got your wireless phone charger, some cup holders, a gear selector and lidded storage with space underneath between the front seats.”
Winner: Jeku 5. It has a spacious and practical cabin with a high-quality interior that feels like it belongs in a far more expensive car.
Technology and Infotainment
The BYD Atto 2 wins here thanks to its clever and sophisticated infotainment system. Its party trick is its extremely fun 12.8-inch rotating screen, but there are also thoughtful usability improvements like a customizable dock and the ability to use your phone as a key. Features like 360-degree parking camera and eight-speaker audio system give it an upscale feel in this price range.
The Jaecoo 5 has equally impressive hardware, including a large and responsive 13.2-inch screen that handles most of the car’s functions (at the expense of some essential physical buttons that we wished were left alone). steve is full jeku 5 review Noted some frustrating quirks with the driver’s display – namely an oddly placed speedo – but found the technology to be impressive overall, saying, “For the money, this is one of the best-equipped cars in its class.”
The MG S5 has the weakest tech and infotainment of the three, with a bright 12.8-inch display and a wireless Apple CarPlay connection that regularly drops off. The standard kit is fine, but it’s disappointing that you have to step up to the Trophy model to get some luxury kit like rain-sensing wipers, wireless phone charging, heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Winner: BYD Atto 2. It offers the most feature-rich, sophisticated and user-friendly technology package of the group.
cost and price
The Jakoo 5 is the most affordable of our three family SUVs. With a starting price of just £27,505, our full jeku 5 review Calling it “the electric family SUV deal of the decade.” Adding to the value, the entry-level car comes with the full kit you’d expect on a car costing £20k more, including a panoramic roof, heated and cooled seats and a large touchscreen reinforcing the premium feel of the EV.
The MG S5 closely follows its own value proposition, starting at £28,495 for the entry-level model. If you want a little more range things get even more competitive, with the SE Long Range version offering 298 miles for £30,995. That’s a 40 per cent increase for a modest £2,500, cementing MG’s reputation for affordability.
Prices are similar between the three cars, but the BYD Atto 2 comes in as the most expensive of the group at £30,850 for the entry-level trim. Sure, it’s not a huge step up from the cheaper Zeku, but it’s on par with most affordable EVs in this range – e.g. Citroen e-C3 Aircross And Fiat Grande Panda – Offering everything you need for around £22,000, the BYD Atto 2’s mid-range price feels like its Achilles heel.
Winner: Zeku 5. It outperforms its rivals in this price range, offering impressive levels of style, quality and standard equipment.
Verdict: Jakoo 5 vs MG S5 vs BYD Auto 2
Putting value for money aside for a moment, the BYD Atto 2 is the best car here. It is the most comfortable and refined to drive and has the best technology, but the high starting price is a major deterrent in this value-focused segment. The Jakoo 5 has plenty of showroom charm for the money, but it’s a little less refined to drive than its two rivals.
This makes the MG S5 our overall winner. The perfect all-rounder, it offers the best combination of range and charging speeds, a capable drive and a spacious, practical interior at a competitive price.