MG made its Malaysian debut with the MG4 and MG HS BEVs, but the brand isn’t stopping there.

Enter the 2024 MG 5 sedan—MG's first ICE model in the Malaysia—poised to challenge stalwarts like the Honda City, Toyota Vios, and the newer Proton S70 in the highly competitive B-segment sedan market.

Many challengers have entered this segment, only to fade away. Can the MG 5 carve out a place for itself? To find out, we took it on a journey from Kuala Lumpur to Desaru and back. Let’s dive in.

Overview

SAIC Motor Malaysia, the local distributor of MG vehicles, launched the 2024 MG 5 in October. Fully imported (CBU) from Thailand, only one variant is available, priced from RM 93,900.

However, in celebration of MG's 100th anniversary, SAIC Motor Malaysia is offering an introductory price of RM 86,900—a whopping RM 7,000 off the regular retail price.

Here’s a brief rundown of its specifications:

Rivals

Priced at RM 93,900, the MG 5 sits close to upper-tier competitors like the Honda City V (RM 94,900), Toyota Vios G (RM 95,500), and Proton S70 Flagship X (RM 94,800).

Notably, all its rivals offer ADAS features with Adaptive Cruise Control, the MG 5 is limited to passive cruise control. That said, the MG 5 has its strengths—eye-catching design, the only model in its segment with a sunroof, and a generous warranty package of up to 7 years for the engine and transmission, adding considerable value.

Exterior – Sizing it up in style

In the flesh, the MG 5 is a good-looking car. Though marketed and priced as a B-segment car, the MG 5 is dimensionally closer to a C-segment saloon. Notably, it boasts the longest wheelbase in its segment at 2,680 mm—some 80 mm longer than the Honda City. 

From its striking front fascia, well-proportioned silhouette, and superb-looking 17-inch wheels, the MG 5 undoubtedly will appeal to buyers who appreciate a unique and stylish ride.

Keen observers may even notice familiar cues borrowed from other models, such as the Civic FC-like C-pillar or the Peugeot 508-like rear fascia. Nonetheless, it’s a cohesive design overall.

A small drawback is its long and sloping front end, which makes it a bit challenging to gauge the front of the vehicle during tight manoeuvres.

Interior - Refined and practical

Inside, MG has nailed the basics. The dashboard features a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay (AC) and Android Auto (AA) support, alongside a 7-inch fully digital driver display.

These are relatively intuitive to use, and bonus points go to the physical buttons, especially the one that calls up the climate control settings. During our trip, both AA and AC worked smoothly, and the two charging ports located just below the infotainment screen made keeping devices charged a breeze.

Storage space for small items is limited however. Aside from a small compartment ahead of the gear lever, there’s not much room for essentials like a SmartTAG or sunglasses. 

The cabin is outfitted with black leather seats finished with red stitching, lending a sporty touch. The steering wheel is also nicely designed, though some of the switchgear feels reminiscent of older VW parts bin items—perhaps unsurprising, given SAIC’s partnership with Volkswagen in China. 

During the approximately four-hour drive to Desaru, the MG 5’s interior offered comfort and refinement on par with competitors like the Toyota Vios and Honda City. The driver’s seating position is well-designed, though the foot pedals are slightly offset to the left.

Despite the MG 5’s larger wheelbase, rear-seat space doesn’t feel noticeably more generous than the Honda City, which continues to set the benchmark for interior packaging. Boot space is practical and functional, but at 401 litres, it also lags behind the City’s 519 litres.

Another point of contention is the MG 5’s air-conditioning vents. With the small central vents positioned rather low, the A/C blower has to be set on high nearly at all times to circulate a good amount of air throughout the cabin.

Driving Experience - Good but not without its flaws

Perhaps the question on everyone’s mind, is: Does it have enough power?

The answer is yes. After covering over 650 km in the MG 5 on highways and backroads, the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine proved itself capable.

With 114 PS and 150 Nm of torque, it’s responsive enough for city driving and maintains a steady cruise on highways. During overtakes, the engine feels eager and provides sufficient torque to get the job done.

Under hard acceleration, the engine can get a bit loud, but it remains quiet and vibration-free at cruising speeds. Therefore, for most buyers, this level of refinement should be more than adequate.

Ride quality is rather good too, the MG 5's long wheelbase contributes to added composure over larger bumps, making highway journeys comfortable. However, it does exhibit a slight jitteriness over smaller, high-frequency undulations like expansion joints on highways, but its no deal breaker. 

The steering also fares well, offering decent quickness for manoeuvring in tight streets or making U-turns. However, it lacks significant feedback from the front tyres. The brakes are pretty much the same, down on feedback and modulation but forceful enough when you need to stop quickly. 

The transmission, however, leaves plenty of room for improvement. The CVT doesn’t feel as well-matched to the engine as it could be, which affects the overall driving experience.

Unlike the responsive CVT transmissions in the Honda City or Toyota Vios, the MG 5’s CVT feels sluggish and hesitant, especially when starting off. This could be designed to extend its service life, but it ends up making the driver push the accelerator harder than expected.

As a result, some might feel that the MG 5 is underpowered. Put simply, it’s almost as if the transmission starts in 4th gear and shifts down as the car gains speed. However, once you get past 35 km/h, the transmission settles into a smoother rhythm and works well enough for most other driving situations.

At highway speeds, the MG 5 cruises comfortably, with the engine ticking over at just 2,200 rpm at 110 km/h—ideal for longer drives. The MG 5 can reach a top speed of around 180 km/h with adequate encouragement, but it feels solid and composed until about 140 km/h.

Fuel efficiency is commendable too, averaging 7.7 litres/100 km (according to the onboard display) during mixed driving over our 650 km test route. This is on par with competitors in the segment. 

After the stint from Kuala Lumpur to Desaru, the MG 5 still had over a quarter tank left, with approximately 200 km of range remaining—a respectable result. With more sensible driving on the way back, it used a less than half its tank, which was rather impressive.  

Conclusion

So, is the MG 5 worth your money? In short, it gets many of the basics right—something easier said than done. The MG 5 looks good, offers a comfortable and refined cabin, delivers an array of creature comforts, and is priced competitively.

However, perhaps the bigger question is: Who is the MG 5 for?

It’s unlikely to trouble the mainstream buyers who prioritize the proven reliability, ease of maintenance, and solid resale value offered by stalwarts like the Honda City and Toyota Vios. Even the Proton S70, while relatively untested, is the most affordable and powerful option in the segment and is padded with features too.

In essence, the MG 5 sedan’s biggest challenge is the Proton S70 in my opinion—but the MG 5 could still appeal to buyers that don't mind trying an unconventional choice, if there's value and the price is right. 

Ultimately, the MG 5 does deserve consideration, especially if you’re seeking something that stands apart from the usual suspects in the B-segment sedan market.

And if not for anything else, its very presence in Malaysia signals MG’s intent to make a statement—not just to ride on tax incentives and dabble with BEVs for the near term, but to establish itself here for the years to come. 

Perhaps this could even be the start of a new romance with the MG brand in Malaysia. 

Also read: Priced from RM 87k, MG 5 launched in Malaysia - 1.5L NA, 119 PS/150 Nm, CVT automatic