The MG 5 is Australia’s most cost-effective sedan – that’s a technique of taking a look at it. The opposite manner is that it’s essentially the most value-packed small sedan in the marketplace.
NOTE: That is an up to date model of a evaluate that first went dwell in September 2023. Avoid wasting minor worth adjustments and the inclusion of a 10-year, 250,000km guarantee, there haven’t been any specification adjustments since publication.
There may be an imminent security improve that may convey seatbelt pre-tensioners, seatbelt dynamic load tensioners, a “calf safety panel”, lane-keep help, lane departure warning, clever pace restrict help, occupant monitoring, in addition to a extra refined autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system.
We’ve up to date key particulars, resembling pricing, with essentially the most up-to-date info obtainable. You may learn the unique model of this evaluate right here.
Apparently low-cost can have damaging connotations, particularly when it’s translated into Chinese language. However as MG has proved with various fashions up to now, ‘relative’ cheapness is a crucial promoting level for consumers, and worth is an much more enticing consideration.
So, this automotive gives a great deal of worth for the small sum of money being requested – supplied clients don’t count on absolutely the newest in energetic security expertise, which this automotive doesn’t have. It has some, however not all, of the doubtless life-saving options that the majority trendy rivals provide.
Does that matter? And is the automotive ok so that you can probably overlook these security gadgets, which – as we all know – could be extra annoying than aiding if not calibrated appropriately?
This automotive shocked me in so some ways – learn on, and also you’ll discover out why.
How does the MG5 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the MG5 towards equally sized automobiles.
MG
MG5
How a lot does the MG 5 price?
Yep, the MG 5 is formally the nation’s least costly sedan. There are two totally different trim ranges, with our top-spec Essence coming in at $28,990 drive-away, because of a promotion that’s ending on March 31.
| Mannequin | Drive-away pricing (till March 31) |
|---|---|
| MG 5 Vibe | $24,888 |
| MG 5 Essence | $28,990 |
To see how the MG 5 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What’s the MG 5 like on the within?
Anybody upgrading from one thing that’s just a few years previous will really feel like they’re stepping up, whereas these buying and selling in a 10- or 15-year-old automotive will really feel as if they’ve gone into a unique world.
That’s saying one thing for a automotive that’s very reasonably priced, and what’s fairly democratising about it’s that the entry-level and top-spec variations don’t look all that totally different to at least one one other on the within.
The giveaway is the steering wheel, which within the Vibe is a plastic wheel, whereas the top-spec Essence will get a leather-like lined merchandise with paddles.
In any other case, it’s widespread fare between the 2 from an look perspective, with sporty trying red-stitched faux leather-based trim, good design parts to the plastic finishes on the sprint, gentle padded sections the place they need to be (elbow pads on the door playing cards entrance and rear, and on the centre console bin), all with a basic feeling it’s effectively put collectively.
Each grades even have a normal 10.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there’s a digital instrument cluster as effectively.
The controls for the driving force data display screen are easy, toggled by the steering wheel controls, whereas the central multimedia unit is a bit more of a studying recreation. However with time you’ll get the grasp of it, together with the actual fact there are buttons under the display screen for particular controls, however you could use the touchscreen to regulate the temperature and the fan pace.
This can be a pattern in quite a lot of new automobiles, and it peeves me, however I do know there are folks on the market who will say “you get used to it” or “strive the voice management system” or no matter – high quality. Simply realise it’s not as easy to the touch a display screen with small controls as it’s to seize a dial or press a bodily button to regulate issues.
The black automotive I drove; together with the faux leather-based trim and air-conditioning that felt just a little duller than it ought to have, meant I felt it was hotter than it must be for a late winter day. I struggled to chill the automotive (and myself) down after hours of driving, and the vents aren’t the best to get movement to your face.
Storage within the entrance is fairly good, with a pair of usable (not Euro-spec) cupholders between the entrance seats, a storage tray in entrance of the shifter (sadly not a wi-fi charger), and a decent-sized centre console bin, glovebox and bottle holder/pockets within the doorways.
Within the again, there’s one other quirk for the air flow system – there’s simply the one directional air vent. That’s nice you probably have one child, however not splendid you probably have two. The identical goes for the truth that there’s just one USB port within the again.
When you have children, there are ISOFIX factors on the window seats and top-tether factors as effectively; however in the event you’re hauling grown-ups, they’ll recognize the actual fact the seat is definitely snug. It’s simply roomy sufficient for bigger adults.
I’m 182cm or 6’0” tall, and I sat behind my driving place with inches of house in entrance of my knees, and there was good room within the footwell. Headroom is only a bit tight, courtesy of the sloping roofline. Anybody taller than I’m will probably discover it a bit squeezy.
There’s a small intrusion from the transmission tunnel (as a result of that is constructed on a flooring pan shared with fashions which have all-wheel drive), however there’s going to be sufficient room for 3 smaller occupants who don’t thoughts one another’s firm.
Facilities are okay, with pockets on the seat backs and bottle holders within the doorways, however no flip-down armrest and due to this fact no cupholders for these within the again. Now, that seat again folds down in a single piece if it’s essential load longer gadgets by means of, and whereas that is likely to be high quality for some, a cut up fold setup can be higher, particularly you probably have a toddler’s seat fitted.
The boot itself is respectable by way of the form and measurement of it, although larger bulkier prams would possibly wrestle to load by means of the aperture. MG says there’s 401 litres of cargo capability on provide.
Patrons who worth the practicality of a spare wheel will recognize that there’s a space-saver on provide underneath the boot flooring of the MG 5, and even higher, there’s tyre strain monitoring for each grades too. That’ll enchantment to rural and nation clients.
| Dimensions | MG 5 Essence |
|---|---|
| Size | 4675mm |
| Width | 1842mm |
| Top | 1473mm |
| Wheelbase | 2670mm |
| Cargo capability | 401L (5 seats) |
To see how the MG 5 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
You’ve obtained the selection of two totally different powertrains throughout the 2 variations of the MG 5. Our tester has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.
| Specs | MG 5 Essence |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Energy | 119kW |
| Torque | 250Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed DCT |
| Drive kind | FWD |
| Weight (kerb) | 1318kg |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 6.4L/100km |
| Gasoline financial system (as examined) | 7.0L/100km (100km+ drive loop) |
| Gasoline tank capability | 50L |
| Gasoline requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 149g/km |
| Emissions customary | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capability | 0kg |
To see how the MG 5 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
How does the MG 5 drive?
I actually was shocked by some parts of the MG 5 drive expertise.
I used to be impressed by its glorious trip high quality. This take a look at drive was executed within the central west of NSW, the place the roads have worse pockmarks than a 13-year-old Matt Campbell had, and the MG 5 handled nasty lumpy and bumpy sections effectively.
The Essence grade has the marginally bigger – however not giant by present requirements – 17-inch wheels, and whereas there was a barely firmer edge in some conditions, the overall trip management and luxury was exceptionally good. It felt – dare I say it – virtually Volkswagen-like in its composure and sure-footedness.
Admittedly it has a torsion-beam rear suspension setup (and MacPherson up entrance), so it could possibly skip round only a tad in the event you hit a bump mid-corner, nevertheless it was hardly an issue and it managed to keep up its composure in many of the conditions thrown at it over greater than 100 kilometres of blended driving.
The steering is nice, too, with a pleasant direct motion to it, and an honest quantity of really feel to the driving force’s fingers. There are just a few totally different drive modes you’ll be able to regulate for the steering weight, however I left it in regular mode more often than not, and it was completely appropriate for that kind of driving.
What will not be completely high quality for most individuals is the way in which the automotive behaves at decrease speeds. In the event you spend quite a lot of time in stop-start site visitors, it’s price test-driving this automotive to see in the event you can dwell with it.
That’s as a result of the Essence’s turbo engine, together with the dual-clutch automated transmission, is kind of laggy once you take off from a standing begin. After simply a few hours of driving, I discovered myself second-guessing whether or not I may make a spot in site visitors safely; such was the hesitation at occasions.
However in case you are a long-distance commuter or dwell in a rural space the place site visitors jams aren’t a priority, it is likely to be simply high quality for you. There’s additionally a sport mode for the transmission and paddle-shifters if you wish to take issues into your individual fingers, however neither iron out the problems with the low-speed acceleration.
It’s that typical ‘laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag-LURCH‘ sensation that has been a standard situation with one of these drivetrain up to now. However there’s a good engine right here, with simply sufficient poke for most individuals’s wants, and like I mentioned, it is likely to be high quality in the event you aren’t usually sitting in a tailback.
The one different huge consideration is likely to be highway noise, as there’s a little bit of that to take care of on coarse-chip highway surfaces. However make no mistake – this isn’t miles behind the competitors in terms of the drive expertise.
Actually, I appreciated it greater than a type of entry-level Korean rivals as a result of there’s only a bit extra zest from the engine, even contemplating the lag. Actually, it felt a bit extra snug than the final Cerato or i30 Sedan I drove on comparable roads, as effectively.
Advised you it was a shock.
To see how the MG 5 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
What do you get?
There are two trim ranges within the MG 5 vary.
MG 5 Vibe highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Auto LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights
- Keyless entry
- Push-button begin
- 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 4-speaker sound system
- Digital info display screen for driver
- Electrical parking brake
- Leatherette upholstery
- Cruise management
- Air-conditioning with rear air vents
- Folding rear seat again (single-piece backrest)
- Rear directional air vent
- USB ports – 2x USB-A entrance, 1x USB-A rear
- 3 steering modes
- Reversing digital camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Area-saver spare wheel
- Tyre strain monitoring
MG 5 Essence provides:
- Single-pane electrical sunroof
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
- Steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters
- 6-way energy driver’s seat
- 6-speaker sound system
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- Gray front-end accents
- Encompass-view digital camera with 3D view mode
To see how the MG 5 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
Is the MG 5 protected?
The MG 5 acquired a zero-star ANCAP security score based mostly on testing carried out in 2023.
| Class | MG 5 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 37 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 58 per cent |
| Susceptible highway person safety | 42 per cent |
| Security help | 13 per cent |
Normal security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Digital stability management
- 6 airbags
- Twin entrance
- Twin front-side
- Full-length curtains
- Cruise management
- Tyre strain monitoring
- Reversing digital camera
- Rear parking sensors
The MG 5 Essence provides a surround-view digital camera.
To see how the MG 5 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
How a lot does the MG 5 price to run?
The MG 5, like the remainder of the MG lineup, now comes with a 10-year, 250,000km guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | MG 5 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 10 years, 250,000km |
| Roadside help | 7 years (service activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months, 10,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Whole capped-price service price | $3135 |
| Common capped-price service price | $448 |
To see how the MG 5 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 5
The MG 5 was manner higher to drive than I anticipated in some methods, and about precisely what I anticipated in others.
The turbo-petrol engine and dual-clutch transmission want some work by way of usability at decrease speeds, however I used to be greater than okay with the remainder of the drive expertise, together with the actual fact it didn’t have tech nannies interrupting the drive.
I feel it seems nice, feels good inside, drives effectively and has the promise of an honest possession expertise. In the event you can overlook the dearth of security tech and the at-times irritating low-speed driving behaviour, then you can be very pleased with this automotive.
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