The MG5 is the new shark in the C-segment waters; Sleeker than the Civic and Mazda 3?

When it comes to the C-segment sedan market, cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis dominates the charts leaving little room for any new competitor unless it bears the Proton tiger badge. But we believe that shoppers in this segment will be more than happy make space for this sleek new MG5.

If ever MG Berjaya, which is currently still gearing up to launch the MG HS C-segment SUV and MG ZS EV in Malaysia, decides to launch this MG5 on our shores, the Mazda 3 will have a huge rival in terms of looks.

With its sleek low-lying grille, swooping lines, sharp lighting design, the MG5 has a strong resemblance to a shark.

Though it was first previewed back in 2019, the MG5 is one of the first in MG’s line of new cars to bear the company’s new design language that designers specifically created to attract buyers born in the 90s and early 2000s.

The MG5 measures 4,675 x 1,842 x 1,480 mm in length, width and height, while its wheelbase measures 2,680 mm. This makes the MG5 one of the longer sedans amongst the common C-segment rivals while oddly having one of the shortest wheelbases in the segment.

In context, the 2020 Honda Civic in Malaysia measures 4,648 x 1,799 x 1,416 mm in length, width and height, while the wheelbase measures 2,700 mm. The MG5 actually measures the same length as the upcoming 2021 Hyundai Elantra.

Power comes from 2 engine options, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that crunches 123 PS (no torque numbers were released for this engine) and a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that produces 175 PS and 275 Nm.

The naturally aspirated engine is mated to a choice of a CVT or a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the turbocharged unit only comes mated to a 7-speed DCT.

Though it was first launched in 2019, the sedan has been making its rounds in China’s various auto shows. The pictures you see here are from the 2020 Guangzhou Auto Show. Stay tuned for more!