The 2025 Electric SUV Revolution in Southeast Asia: MG S5 EV, Geely EX5 and XPeng X9
Hottest 2025 electric SUVs in Southeast Asia! Experience an in-depth, high-value car review of the MG S5 EV, Geely EX5, and XPeng X9. Uncover features, prices, safety, performance, and real-world usage in Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore.
Best EV Revolution in Southeast Asia
One day last Tuesday in Southeast Asia, a Kuala Lumpur taxi driver stopped, not because his meter failed, but because an EV flashed by him silently. The playing field has shifted. 2025 is a milestone moment in the region’s car story — where the exhaust of gasoline gives way to volts and wires, and where families, ride-hailers, and weekend warriors all now scan the EV market with genuine intent.
And it’s not hype. As fuel prices rise, climate pressures intensify, and cheaper EVs are made locally and regionally, car shoppers are reconsidering everything from what’s in the engine to what powers their morning drive. The Southeast Asian electric vehicle market has come of age — and now, three contenders are making their way into the spotlight.
2025 three EV SUVs that are making waves: Malaysia’s MG S5 EV, the Philippines’ Geely EX5, and Singapore’s XPeng X9. Buckle up. We’re going full throttle into the future of urban mobility.
Interior and Features: Where Comfort Meets Code
Let’s get real. Nobody wants to cruise around in something that comes across as a rice cooker on wheels. And these 2025 EVs know the mission.
MG S5 EV is like that trusty best mate — neat, uncluttered, and unexpectedly sophisticated at the price. Leatherette upholstery, a clever design, and twin screens imbue it with discreet city sophistication. The design is simple and useful, with sensibly-placed buttons and intuitive infotainment. Build quality is more rugged than luxurious — but all feels solid, creak-free, and intention-driven.
Geely EX5 raises the pace with a modern cabin with minimalist tech power design. A massive 14.6″ screen is the showstopper, and vegan leather and ambient lighting shout “modern dad-mobile” at its best. From door handles to gear selector, each touch point feels luxurious and deliberate. Flyme Auto OS does not merely connect; it holds a digital conversation with the driver.
XPeng X9, on the other hand, is effectively a Tesla with a bow tie. A 21″ OLED wraparound display commands the cockpit. Luxurious materials, massaging seats, and panoramic mood lighting set you at an interstellar boardroom table. X9’s cabin is so hushed at highway speeds, you can use it for long trips or corporate driving. It’s less driving and more curation.
Performance: Zoom Without the Vroom
Juice and jolt, let’s discuss.
The MG S5 EV won’t hold you down in your seat, but its ~7.8s 0–100 km/h dash is respectable. Its front-wheel-drive, single-motor configuration is perfect for city stop-start traffic, Sunday shopping runs, or stealthy detours through Petaling Jaya. The throttle is intuitive, and regenerative braking is geared towards comfort over aggressiveness.
Geely EX5 is the unexpected athlete. It goes 0–100 km/h in 6.9s, which is snappy off the blocks for an SUV that will probably be carting groceries and laughing children. Dual motors and an equalized chassis make the EX5 well drive with tight steering and very low body roll for a high-riding EV. Battery thermal management keeps it running smoothly even in Manila’s hot weather.
Then there’s the XPeng X9? It’s Thor in a suit. With twin-motor AWD and 430 PS on tap, it delivers sub-5.5s 0–100. A family MPV, but it will leave said hot hatch for dust at the lights. Its adaptive air suspension irons out potholes and can lift the ride height for off-road or ferry terminal ramp taming.
Safety: Brains Behind the Brawn
In 2025, safety isn’t a luxury — it’s standard. And each of the three finalists delivers.
The MG S5 EV checks the boxes: forward collision warning, auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. It’s as much about providing peace of mind as it is about sophisticated autonomy.
The Geely EX5 comes closer to luxury standards with L2+ ADAS. Advanced features such as blind spot detection, intelligent traffic sign recognition, and smart parking assist make it perfect for crazy metro traffic. It’s responsive, smart, and hardly intrusive.
XPeng X9 ? This is the AI era. With Xpilot 4.0, it provides lane-level navigation, city-focused autonomous driving, remote call, and even AI-assisted hazard anticipation. XPeng’s safety system is integrated with its 30+ sensors, radar system, and ultra-wide cameras. It’s more of a protector than it is a driver’s vehicle.
Real-World Capability: SUVs That Understand Southeast Asia
They’re not universal EVs. They are geo-fit intelligent and real-world practical.
MG S5 EV is a city crossover that sails through urban jungles such as Johor Bahru and KLCC. With its compact size and tight turning radius, it takes in stride carparks, drive-thrus, and narrow alleys. Range is limited (~350 km WLTP), but with fast charging, range anxiety is eased for intra-city living.
Geely EX5 is a glove-fit for the Filipino lifestyle. It meets space, technology, and efficient mileage (~430 km WLTP) requirements with a fast 30-minute charging time (10–80%). Ideal for dropping the kids off at school in Quezon City, weekend getaways to Tagaytay, or extracting maximum revenue for ride-sharing operators.
XPeng X9 is Singapore’s high-end solution to going green. A three-row EV MPV with ~575 km range, quick DC charging, and nearly autonomous city driving. It’s designed for execs, entrepreneurs, or anyone who views their vehicle as more than a means to an end — but as an experience.
Pricing and Availability: How Much to Plug into the Future
MG S5 EV: RM111,000–130,000 (Malaysia). Available now, assembled locally. Best value-per-ringgit EV in its segment.
Geely EX5: ₱1.79 million (\~US\$31k) in the Philippines. Deliveries began Q2 2025. After-sales network is expanding rapidly.
XPeng X9: Starts at S\$220,000 in Singapore (inclusive of COE). Premium pricing, premium presence. Orders open now with 4–6 week delivery.
Pros and Cons
MG S5 EV:
pros
Affordable
Easy to own and operate
Clean design
cons
Lower range
Limited technology when compared to competitors
Geely EX5:
pros
Excellent performance and ADAS
Intelligent, trendy interior
Rapid charging
cons
No AWD variant
Less premium-to-touch than X9
XPeng X9:
pros
Tech-replete
Longest range
Luxury-like comfort
cons
Expensive
Larger dimensions might make compact city streets a challenge
If you’re looking for a bargain but still wish for a smart EV with current gizmos, the MG S5 EV is your ideal entry into the electric age. If you’re looking for a family-friendly monster without the hefty price tag, the Geely EX5 gets top marks for value and practicality. And if you desire the outright bleeding edge of EV technology with space for six and some attitude, the XPeng X9 is your passport to the future.
The actual story here? Southeast Asia has arrived. EVs aren’t “coming soon” anymore. They’re already on the roads, in our homes, and on the radar of the next-gen car buyers.
Whatever you decide, know this: the EV revolution isn’t coming to Southeast Asia — it’s already here, fully charged and ready to roll.
FAQs
Q: Is the MG S5 EV now available in Malaysia in 2025?
A: Yes, it’s locally made and available as of Q2 2025.
Q: How much Geely EX5 is cost in the Philippines?
A: It begins at about PHP 1.79 million.
Q: What EV has the highest range in Southeast Asia in 2025?
A: The XPeng X9 takes the lead with up to 575 km (WLTP).
Q: What’s the cheapest 2025 electric SUV?
A: The MG S5 EV has the region’s lowest entry price.
Q: Are these EVs suitable for families?
A: Yes. Each of the three has roomy interiors, safety features, and functional design for everyday family usage.
Q: Are charging networks robust in Southeast Asia for these EVs?
A: Yes. Governments and private providers are investing in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore to grow their EV charging infrastructure.
Q: Are these EVs able to cope with tropical weather and floods?
A: All of these EVs are engineered with local testing. Battery and insulation systems are modified for high humidity, rain, and hot temperatures.
