The perfect model for Home and Away: MGI Zip X5 Electric Golf Cart Review

MGI may be a new name to the Western golf market but they’ve been a big player in native Australia for years – now they’re ready to convince you to switch too

Green is not my favorite color. I don’t hate it but it’s still not my first choice if I’m picking out a polo or considering a new bag. The MGI Zip X5, however, has grabbed my attention with the near-neon emerald accenting that is emanating from the wheels. The best electric carts are more than just their looks but, compared to the ocean of matte and gloss black that makes up the current market, it’s nice to be met with a brand that isn’t afraid to stand out a touch more.

The sister trolleys in the ZIP series, the one-step-down X3 and the even simpler X1, also have unique colors themselves coming in red and yellow accents, respectively, so it’s easy to differentiate between the models in the line-up.

I’ve been waiting to use this cart with a true cart bag for a fairer test, and that option came with the arrival of the Vessel LUX bag into our offices. I had briefly tried putting my stand bag on the X5, but it’s just not designed to fit on a push or electric cart – entirely the fault of the bag so it won’t be held against MGI’s offering. So, swapping my clubs over into the LUX, I packed the new MGI into the back of the car and headed out for a first round.

Wheelie Good

Taking the Zip X5 in and out of the boot (or trunk for our cousins across the pond) is a breeze for the most part. The folding mechanism, a two-button setup, is easy to use with a central lever releasing the upper part of the column (you can also use this to adjust handle height) and then a clip above the battery that allows the frame to fold inwards on itself. When you begin folding the cart down, the front wheel will also tuck further underneath to shrink the size even more, making this a viable option for storage in smaller vehicles too.

The wheel at the front has been my biggest point of intrigue, with MGI boasting a full 360º range of motion. I’m not a trolley guy normally, for a few reasons, but one of them is that I spend my round building up frustration as I’m forced to lean carts onto their two rear wheels every time I want to make a small turn or adjustment. When you stand at 6’3″, lowering a handle that already sits at the height of your full arm length isn’t an enticing prospect.

The 360º wheel is immediately noticeable for me, as I walk from the car park, past the putting green, to the first tee. The path between the clubhouse and the short game area at my course is a fairly tight walk – you can’t stand two golfers side-by-side in the gap – so the X5’s maneuverability comes into its own before I even start my round. It weaves through the space with a deft ease that catches me off-guard and I’m slightly pressed to keep up with it.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to make a great getaway vehicle but nor does it have the Titanic-esque turning circle that I normally expect to encounter. A brief note on the handle for my taller brethren, it’s been a perfect height for my hands to rest at, and combined with the full rotation leading wheel you can change directions with minimal fuss; dropping the handle height can quickly adapt this setup to any golfer though.

Whisper it…

I’ve played with plenty of other brands of trolleys but MGI might be the first one that I feel delivers on every promise it’s made. Having come in with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, I’m happy to say that this is a piece of kit that isn’t ever leaving my side.

The user interface is straightforward to use, with buttons either side of the main control dial to navigate menus. You can easily access odometers, total distances, and send the cart off to the next hole with a few quick presses. I like the rigidity of the dial in particular. You aren’t going to accidentally catch this while pulling a club or touching the handle, only to watch the trolley sprint off into the distance as you chase after it. If you do want even more control of the trolley, MGI do produce a remote control model, the Navigator.

There’s also more options for speed control than other models, meaning you can match your walking speed more precisely than with the alternatives I’ve used, which have often led to me either striding to keep up or slowing down the pace I want to walk at. With the Zip X5, I’ve set the dial to 13 and it’s been perfectly in time with me, the automatic Downhill Control keeping the speed from increasing and the trolley accelerating away.

The motor is truly ‘whisper quiet’ too. I had my head dangerously close to spinning rear wheels just to try and pick out the noise, with no luck in hearing anything produced from the 250Wh lithium model.

The battery itself clips onto the rear of the base, just below the folding clip and above the hidden 4th wheel (a great option for playing hilly courses to keep the trolley stable when climbing slopes), so you fold the cart and detach the battery almost in one complete motion.

Charging the battery is easy, completely plug-and-play functionality with a first charge time of 5 hours. While I have been playing a flatter courses recently, the power bar only emptied on the LED-display after three rounds of use. This is impressive for anyone, but I particularly love this because I am forgetful at the best of times. I rarely remember to charge my phone let alone a trolley battery so knowing that I don’t need to take it out the car the night before and it’ll still be useable is compelling. Even if I do run out of charge, the wheels can popped out into a free-movement slot so that you can push the cart indepedently of the motor.

Thems the brakes

Writing a conclusion to my time with the Zip X5 has been hard. I’d like to highlight a problem I’ve had or fault that I can find to counter the overwhelming positivity I feel I’m heaping onto the electric cart but it’s honestly a struggle.

Perhaps the only minor irritation I’ve had has been with the trolley when folded down, as there doesn’t seem to be a way to lock the frame to the base meaning you do need to lift the unit from the bottom, but this is only because of my laziness in wanting to just grab the column by itself.

If you’re not looking to benefit from anything beyond the basic use of a cart then the MGI Zip X1 is a better alternative but, for those looking for increased functionality without a ludicrous spend, I cannot recommend the Zip X5 enough.

From ease-of-use, to battery life, to styling and functionality (the Electronic Parking Brake is a particular favorite) this model has everything and I don’t know who is going to be disappointed with this purchase.

About the author

Lewis Daff

Lewis joined the Today’s Golfer digital team in 2024, having spent more than a decade in both big box golf retail and independent stores, working as a club fitter and builder.

Experienced with every level of golfer, from beginner to professional, he has achieved Master Fitter and Builder status with most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, Taylormade, and Callaway, helping him to cement both a wide and deep knowledge base, ideal for helping guide golfers towards the correct equipment for them.Lewis specializes in Clubs, Shafts, Training Aids, Launch Monitors and Grips.

In Lewis’ bag is Titleist GT3 Driver (9º) with Fujikura Ventus Black, Titleist GT2 Fairway Wood (15º), Wilson Staff D9 Forged 3-iron, Srixon ZX7 MKii Irons (4-PW), Titleist SM9 Wedges (52º, 60º), Toulon San Diego Putter, and Callaway Chrome Tour Ball.

Talk to Lewis about why steel shafts are now dead and graphite is the only way forward, or any other equipment you’d like to debate, via his email, Twitter, or Instagram.

RRP: £849.00 | $1099.00

Weight (no battery): 11.75 kg
Weight (with battery): 13.87kg

Battery Options: Click-and-Go 36 Hole 250Wh Lithium

Open dimensions: 80.01 x 58.93 x 103.89 cm
Folded dimensions (inverted rear wheels):69.98 l x 46.99 w x 41.91 h cm

Warranty: 3-year Trolley | 2-year Charger | 3-year Lithium Battery