MG5

• MG5 now rated three stars by ANCAP – seat belt pre-tensioners, seat belt reminders, AEB, lane keep fitted

  In Cars, International News, MG, Safety, Videos / By Jonathan James Tan / 4 June 2025 9:36 am / 10 comments

  

  The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) first crash-tested the MG5 in 2023 and gave it zero stars, chiefly due to the absence of seat belt pre-tensioners and load-limiters, lane support and blind spot monitoring systems, as well as limited autonomous emergency braking (AEB) performance.

  The safety score of the CBU-China car sold in Australia was brought into the limelight just as the MG5 launched in Malaysia a full year later, even though our CBU-Thai car has seat belt pre-tensioners, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and rear collision warning (no AEB, though).

  Although ASEAN NCAP has yet to test the MG5, the sedan has been updated for the Aussie market, which ANCAP has retested and given three stars. This is valid for MG5s manufactured from November 2024; all those built from March 2023-September 2024 retain their zero-star rating.

  

  

  Full report in gallery below

  Seat belt pre-tensioners are now standard for the front and rear outboard seats, all seats now have seat belt reminders and there’s an upgraded collision avoidance suite that includes AEB and lane support. Besides the usual frontal offset and full width crash tests, the retest included additional whiplash and pedestrian impact tests as well as the full range of on-track collision avoidance performance tests.

  The new results are 62% for adults (previously 37%), 68% for children (previously 58%), 65% for vulnerable road users (previously 42%) – that’s pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, by the way – and 59% for safety assist (previously 13%).

  Improvements were seen for driver head, chest, and lower leg protection, and front seat passenger chest protection. Driver neck and chest protection went from ‘Marginal’ to ‘Good’ (full points) while rear passenger chest protection improved from ‘Poor’ to ‘Marginal’, reflecting the roles seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters play in managing the forces of a crash, said ANCAP.

  The MG5’s AEB has also “been enhanced with functionality seen in a broader range of car-to-car, car-to-pedestrian, car-to-cyclist and car-to-motorcycle scenarios”, and a lane support system, including lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping (ELK), is now fitted as standard. ANCAP does however note that ELK performance was ‘Marginal’, and there’s still no centre airbag.

  “We commend MG for taking the opportunity to elevate the safety performance of the MG5. This upgrade demonstrates important progress,” ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said.

  “While this rating is a step up, it’s important that consumers and fleet operators recognise there are still safety limitations with this model, and that there are other vehicles on the market that offer more robust safety performance,” she added.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Bangkok 2025: MG5 Pro on display – same 114 PS 1.5L NA with CVT, styling tweaks; from RM77k in Thailand

  In Cars, International News, MG / By Gerard Lye / 28 March 2025 11:44 am / 4 comments

  

  The updated MG5 is currently on display at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS). This is still the second-generation model we got in October 2024 but with a new face that was introduced in Thailand in March of the same year – it resembles the MG5 Scorpio that debuted in 2022.

  In terms of visual changes, the MG5 gets a redesigned front fascia featuring a new grille (and accompanying insert) and sleeker headlamps. The front bumper has been changed too, now with a lower portion that mimics that of the MG4 EV and prominent fog lamp enclosures.

  At the rear, you’ll find a revised signature for the reshaped taillights and a diffuser-like element accompanied by quad exhaust outlets. The interior remains largely the same, with small changes being the trim on the dashboard that has a “3D diamond” design.

  

  We should point out that the MG5 sold in Thailand differs from the latest version in China. The latter, which made its debut in August 2024, got a proper facelift that includes a front end inspired by the latest MG3, different exterior lighting design and an overhauled interior.

  In Thailand, the MG5 is available in two variants, namely the Pro D that is priced at 589,900 baht (about RM77k) and Pro X at 669,900 baht (RM88k). The pre-facelift model is also available as the MG5 10th Special Edition, priced at 589,900 baht (RM77k).

  Retained is the 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine making 114 PS (113 hp or 84 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a CVT with eight virtual speeds.

  

  In terms of kit for the MG5 Pro, the Pro D and Pro X share 17-inch alloy wheels (215/50 profile tyres), automatic LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, red-painted brake calipers, synthetic leather upholstery, a powered driver’s seat, keyless entry and start, automatic AC (with rear vents and PM2.5 air filter) and a 7-inch multi-info instrument cluster display. There’s also a 10-inch touchscreen head unit with support for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as a six-speaker audio system.

  On safety and driver assistance, the MG5 in Thailand comes standard with an electronic parking brake (with auto hold), ABS, brake assist, EBD, traction control, XDS (electronic differential system), hill start assist, passive cruise control, four airbags and a 360-degree camera.

  Paying the premium for the Pro X adds on things like a sunroof, rear spoiler, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, curtain airbags (for a total of six), The connected system also gains telematics functions, built-in music streaming and digital key support. Six colours are offered for both Pro variants, including Mineral Green, Scarlet Red, Nuclear Yellow, Metal Ash Grey, Arctic White and Black Knight.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Malaysian-market MG5 not the same as ANCAP zero-star car; CBU Thai with seatbelt pre-tensioner – SAIC

  In Cars, Local News, MG / By Danny Tan / 22 October 2024 3:38 pm / 65 comments

  

  The MG5, which was launched earlier this month, has been attacked by a rival carmaker in unprecedented fashion, at least in Malaysia. The rival, which sells a sedan in the same price bracket as the MG5 (RM86,900 with intro offer), has released material that explicitly names the new entrant, and the chosen area of attack is safety.

  In its official social media posts, the OEM points out its own safety credentials while urging consumers to not accept anything less. This puts the spotlight on the MG5’s unflattering zero-star rating in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

  Here’s the context. Crash tested last year by ANCAP, the MG5 scored 37% in Adult Occupant Protection and 13% in Safety Assist, making it ineligible for any more than zero stars. The budget sedan (starts from the equivalent of RM72,199 in Australia) scored high enough for only two stars in Vulnerable Road User Protection (42%) and Child Occupant Protection (58%).

  

  SAIC Motor Malaysia has not reacted to the ‘heat’ on social media, but we now have a response. According to head of marketing Phang Rick Kee, the MG5 sold in Malaysia is not of the same spec as the car tested by ANCAP.

  He explained that the Australian-market MG5 is a base model that’s CBU imported from China, and the car tested by ANCAP was not equipped with pre-tensioner seatbelts. Malaysia gets the MG5 from Thailand, and the cars are specified with pre-tensioner seatbelts. Also on our car are six airbags and the MG Pilot suite that includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and rear collision warning. No AEB, though.

  The purpose of the pre-tensioner is to ensure that the seatbelts fit tightly against the occupant’s body in a crash. With no ‘slack’, one gets the maximum protection benefit of the front airbags and it also helps prevent the body from ‘submarining’, which is sliding away, under the seatbelt. As you can imagine, this is a vital feature.

  

  Indeed, in December 2023, MG Motor Australia announced a series of safety changes designed to improve the MG5’s crash-test performance. The list includes seatbelt pre-tensioners on all five seats plus dynamic load tensioners (seatbelt pre-tensioners were only on the front seats, and only for the top variant), lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition and a more advanced AEB system.

  It remains to be seen if the MG5 will be crash tested again by ANCAP, or if its local handlers will send the sedan to ASEAN NCAP. What’s more certain is that moving forward, SAIC Motor would be chasing for a high rating to put to bed any doubts on the crashworthiness of its cars.

  Sized like a Civic, the boldly-styled MG5 has a default B-segment powertrain (114 PS/150 Nm 1.5L NA with CVT) and pricing that undercuts the highest variants of the Honda City and Toyota Vios. The CBU Thai import has a RRP of RM93,900 on-the-road before insurance, but an intro offer pulls the price down to RM86,900. Kit that are unique to the B-segment include a powered sunroof and six-way powered driver’s seat. Our full launch report here.

  GALLERY: MG5 Malaysia launch

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• MG5 launched in Malaysia – C-seg sedan at City/Vios price, 1.5L NA CVT, 1 variant, Thai CBU, from RM87k

  In Cars, Local Car Launches, Local News, MG / By Danny Tan / 3 October 2024 6:18 pm / 72 comments

  

  Previewed in August, the MG5 is now officially launched in Malaysia. SAIC Motor Malaysia has given the striking-looking C-segment sedan a pretty interesting positioning – at RM93,900 on-the-road before insurance for the sole CBU Thailand variant (RM86,900 with the intro offer, more below), this is a Civic-sized car for the price of a City. You can’t have it all though, so the powertrain also follows the City/Vios class norm.

  We’ll first look at the MG5’s size. At 4,675 mm long and 1,842 mm wide, the MG5 is comparable in size to the Honda Civic FE (MG is 3 mm shorter, 40 mm wider), and its 2,680 mm wheelbase is well within the class ballpark (Toyota Corolla 2,700 mm, Civic 2,735 mm). The boot size is 401 litres.

  So, unlike the Proton S70 – which is officially branded by its maker as a C-segment sedan although the dimensions are closer to a B – the MG5 has a ‘fastback coupe-style’ C-segment body. Actually, the ‘Civic size, City price’ line and all C references are ours – SAIC is marketing the MG5 as a B-segment rival to the City/Vios, one that’s largest in its class.

  

  That’s a correct move IMO, as under the MG5’s hood is a powertrain that’s in line with B-segment norms – a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit paired to a CVT. The ‘DVVT’ engine makes 114 PS and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. For context, the City has 121 PS/145 Nm and the Vios gets 106 PS/138 Nm. The MG’s CVT has eight virtual speeds with a manual mode. Disc brakes all round (ventilated in front) and a rear torsion beam, by the way.

  As for standard equipment, the MG5 comes with LED automatic headlamps and daytime running lights, LED taillights, 17-inch two-tone ‘Tomahawk’ alloys (215/50 tyres), black leather upholstery with red accents (red is also found on the doors, steering, shift boot), single-zone automatic air con with PM2.5 air filter and rear vents, six speakers, cruise control and an electronic parking brake with auto hold. There are also kit that are unique to the B-segment, such as a powered sunroof and a six-way powered driver’s seat.

  As for screens, there’s a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and feed from a 360-degree camera. Below the screen – which is angled towards the driver – is a row of hard buttons for the AC and volume, which is a good thing.

  

  On the safety front, there are six airbags and an MG Pilot suite that includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and rear collision warning. No AEB though, which is a glaring omission and possibly the only blot on the MG5’s otherwise very nice equipment copybook.

  The MG5 will be available in five colours, which are Dynamic Red, Arctic White, Black Pearl, Camden Grey and the hero Nuclear Yellow you see here (other colours in the launch gallery below). SAIC Motor Malaysia is offering a five-year, unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty for its first ICE model here. The powertrain gets a separate seven-year, unlimited-mileage coverage.

  Once again, the RRP for the MG5 is RM93,900 on-the-road excluding insurance, but there’s an introductory RM7,000 rebate, which brings the price down to RM86,900 for early birds. By the way, after factoring in the intro rebate, your downpayment can be as low as RM3,000, Quite an eye-catching price don’t you think?

  For your reference, the Honda City is priced from RM84,900 to RM99,900 for the petrol variants (hybrid is RM111,900) while the Toyota Vios price range is from RM89,600 to RM95,500. The Proton S70 – the only 1.5L turbo DCT sedan here – retails from RM73,800 to RM94,800. What do you think of the MG5’s looks and package?

  GALLERY: MG5 Malaysia launch

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  GALLERY: MG5 in Malaysia, Nuclear Yellow

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2024 MG5 sedan previewed in Malaysia – Civic size, City price; 1.5L NA, CVT; estimated from under RM100k

  In Cars, Local News, MG / By Gerard Lye / 22 August 2024 4:39 pm / 15 comments

  

  After launching two MG electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia earlier this year, SAIC Motor Malaysia is now expanding its line-up to include internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. One of them is this, the MG5, a C-segment-sized sedan that has already been introduced in neighbouring Indonesia (it is known as the MG5 GT there) and Thailand (they get the facelifted model), and is now being previewed here ahead of an official launch. Order taking has begun here, with deliveries expected to commence from October this year.

  At 4,675 mm long, 1,842 mm wide, 1,480 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,680 mm, the MG5 is very much comparable in size to C-segment sedans such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3. However, the company is marketing the MG5 as a B-segment sedan, one that is the “longest and widest” in its class.

  The pricing also reflects this targeted approach, as the MG5 is estimated to carry a price tag under RM100,000. Only one variant will be offered (CBU from Thailand), but the estimate provided is a vague RMxx,xxx, so sound off your guesses in the comments below.

  Bringing up B-segment sedans for comparison, the Honda City ranges from RM84,900 to RM99,900 for petrol-only variants, the Toyota Vios from RM89,600 to RM95,500 and the Nissan Almera from RM83,888 to RM95,888, while the Mazda 2 Sedan is over the mark at RM108,000.

  

  To us, it sounds like the MG5 is being angled as “C-segment size at B-segment pricing,” which sounds quite familiar, don’t you think? We are of course referring to the “up for debate” S70, which is priced from RM73,800 to RM94,800, but is smaller in size although it does pack a turbo punch.

  For whatever amount you’ll eventually be paying, the MG5 is powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine making 114 PS (113 hp or 84 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The powertrain, which also includes a CVT (eight virtual speeds) driving the front wheels, is the same as the one offered in Indonesia and Thailand.

  In terms of standard equipment, the MG5 comes with LED daytime running lights and automatic headlamps, a powered sunroof, LED taillights, 17-inch ‘Tomahawk’ alloy wheels, black leather upholstery with red accents, a six-way powered driver’s seat, single-zone automatic air-conditioning with PM2.5 air filter and rear vents, six speakers as well as a seven-inch digital instrument cluster.

  Infotainment is presented on a 10.25-inch central touchscreen, with functions like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a 360-degree camera all included. On the safety front, there are six airbags, passive cruise control and the usual array of passive systems, but the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are limited.

  

  The MG Pilot suite as it is known includes a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and rear collision warning, but a glaring omission is autonomous emergency braking. This active safety feature is fitted on Australia-spec models and its absence here is an issue, especially when you consider the other B-segment sedans come with AEB on higher variants.

  The MG5 will be available in five colours, namely Nuclear Yellow, Dynamic Red, Arctic White, Black Pearl and Camden Grey. A five-year, unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty is included with each purchase, while the powertrain (engine and transmission) has a seven-year, unlimited-mileage coverage.

  There you have it, the MG5 will be the brand’s first sedan to be offered here and looks to take on established B-segment models price-wise while offering space typical of C-segment cars. Interested?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• MG5 GT to be launched in Malaysia soon, according to local dealer – C-segment sedan with 1.5L NA, CVT

  In Cars, Local News, MG / By Gerard Lye / 15 August 2024 6:32 pm / 18 comments

  

  MG5 GT at the 2024 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show

  MG Malaysia looks set to introduce more models here, with a local dealer revealing the MG5 GT will soon join the local line-up. At present, MG models available for purchase here are the fully electric MG4 and ZS.

  The MG5 GT is a C-segment sedan that measures 4,675 mm long, 1,842 mm wide, 1,473 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,680 mm. When it goes on sale here, it will compete against models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3.

  Detailed specifications were not mentioned in the dealer’s Facebook post, but the model in Indonesia is powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine making 114 PS (113 hp or 84 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm.

  

  

  MG5 GT at the 2024 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show

  The mill sends drive to the front wheels via a CVT with eight virtual speeds, and this combination is also used in Thailand, where the model is simply known as the MG5. Based on the photos posted, equipment available for the sedan include 17-inch wheels, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, keyless engine start, LED headlamps and a digital instrument cluster.

  In Thailand and Indonesia, the MG5/MG5 GT comes standard with passive cruise control, a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and rear collision warning, but is lacking autonomous emergency braking. This active safety function is fitted on Australia-spec models, and if the MG sedan wants to be competitive here, it would need to be included. Australia also gets the sedan with the option of a 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine making 162 PS (160 hp or 119 kW) and 250 Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

  Keep in mind that the unit shown to local dealers could be a pre-production model that is not necessarily indicative of the final version we are getting. In any case, are you looking forward to another option if you are in the market for a C-segment sedan?

  GALLERY: MG5 GT at the 2024 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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