Verdict
The MG 5 is the more conventional long-distance proposition, with a 45-litre petrol tank, a 4,675-mm sedan body and a 2,680-mm wheelbase. But its 401-litre boot is well behind the Seres 3’s 525 litres. The Seres counters with a 53.6-kWh battery, 340-km EV range, 11-kW AC and 60-kW DC charging, plus a far stronger 161-hp/300-Nm motor. The MG fights back with autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning and a 360-degree camera. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly, the Seres is the more practical EV; the MG suits those who prioritise its safety kit and petrol refuelling.
Pick the MG 5 if autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera and a 45-litre petrol tank matter more than EV driving and boot space.
Pick the Seres 3 if you can charge an EV and want 161 hp, 300 Nm, a 340-km range and a 525-litre boot.
Key differences
- Powertrain: the MG 5 has a 1,498-cc 112-hp/150-Nm petrol engine; the Seres 3 has one 161-hp/300-Nm electric motor.
- Energy storage and charging: the MG 5 has a 45-litre fuel tank; the Seres 3 has a 53.6-kWh battery, 11-kW AC and 60-kW DC charging.
- Length and wheelbase: the MG 5 measures 4,675 mm and 2,680 mm; the Seres 3 measures 4,385 mm and 2,655 mm.
- Boot and body: the MG 5 is a four-door sedan with 401 litres; the Seres 3 is a five-door SUV with 525 litres.
- Rear-seat flexibility: the MG 5 has a one-piece folding rear seat; the Seres 3 has a 60:40 split-fold rear seat.
- Driver assistance: the MG 5 has autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and collision warning; the Seres 3 has none of these listed.
5
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring
- 360-degree camera and built-in navigation
- Sunroof and 45-litre petrol tank
- 401-litre boot versus the Seres 3’s 525 litres
- 112 hp and 150 Nm versus 161 hp and 300 Nm
- One-piece rear seat instead of a 60:40 split-fold arrangement
3
- 161-hp, 300-Nm electric motor
- 53.6-kWh battery with 340-km range, 11-kW AC and 60-kW DC charging
- 525-litre boot and 60:40 split-fold rear seats
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or collision warning listed
- No sunroof, navigation or 360-degree camera
- Shorter 2,655-mm wheelbase than the MG 5’s 2,680 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM93,800✓ | RM95,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 112 hp | — |
| Torque | 150 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 75 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 53.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | iCVT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,675 mm | 4,385 mm |
| Width | 1,842 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 401 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Primetra S | Chao Yang SU318a H/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vent | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain | — |
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.
Used 5 & 3 for sale
5 vs 3 FAQ
Is the MG 5 or Seres 3 better?
The Seres 3 is better for buyers who can charge regularly, thanks to its 340-km EV range, 161 hp and 525-litre boot. Choose the MG 5 for its autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning and 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The MG 5 costs RM93,800 and the Seres 3 costs RM95,000, so the Seres is RM1,200 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Seres 3 has the larger boot at 525 litres, beating the MG 5’s 401 litres by 124 litres. Its 60:40 split-fold rear seat also gives it more flexibility than the MG’s one-piece folding bench.