Honda HR-V vs MG S5
Verdict
The Honda HR-V is the familiar petrol SUV here: 1.5 litres, 119 hp, front-wheel drive and a 40-litre tank. The MG S5 is the EV alternative, using a 168 hp rear motor, 49.0 kWh battery and 340 km range. It is also bigger in every exterior dimension and has 453 litres of boot space against the Honda’s 335 litres. The HR-V asks less of your daily routine; the MG gives you more car on paper and costs RM7,352 less.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want a petrol B-SUV with a CVT, front-wheel drive and no charging routine to plan around.
Pick the MG S5 if you can live with an EV and want more power, more boot space, more airbags and the longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Honda HR-V RM115,900; MG S5 RM108,548
- Powertrain: Honda HR-V 1,498 cc petrol; MG S5 single-motor electric
- Power: Honda HR-V 119 hp; MG S5 168 hp
- Boot space: Honda HR-V 335 litres; MG S5 453 litres
- Airbags: Honda HR-V 4; MG S5 7
- Warranty: Honda HR-V 5 years; MG S5 7 years
HR-V
- Petrol powertrain suits drivers who do not want to charge
- 186 km/h top speed is stated
- CKD assembly
- 119 hp is lower than the MG’s 168 hp
- 335-litre boot is much smaller
- Only 4 airbags
S5
- 168 hp rear-drive EV motor
- 340 km EV range from a 49.0 kWh battery
- 453-litre boot and 7 airbags
- CBU, not CKD
- No 0-100 km/h time stated
- Charging has to fit your routine
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 115,900 | RM 108,548✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,498 cc | Single motor |
| Power | 119 hp | 168 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | — |
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 12.1 s | — |
| Top speed | 186 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 49.0 kWh |
| EV range | — | 340 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,476 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,849 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,730 mm |
| Boot space | 335 L | 453 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 40 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 7✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 120 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
HR-V vs S5 FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or MG S5 better?
On the numbers, the MG S5 is stronger: 168 hp, 453 litres of boot space, 7 airbags and a 7-year warranty. The Honda HR-V is the safer choice if you specifically want petrol refuelling instead of EV charging.
What is the price difference?
The MG S5 is RM7,352 cheaper, at RM108,548 versus RM115,900 for the Honda HR-V.
Which one has more space?
The MG S5 is larger: 4,476 mm long, 1,849 mm wide and 1,621 mm tall, with a 2,730 mm wheelbase. The Honda HR-V measures 4,347 mm, 1,790 mm, 1,591 mm and 2,610 mm respectively.