MG 5 Review

In Malaysia's C-segment sedan market, a budget of around RM100,000 has always been the core option for family users and young professionals—requiring sufficient space and practical configurations without feeling cheap in terms of quality. The arrival of the 2024 MG 5 directly targets the pain points of this market segment: offering nearly top-tier safety configurations and smart features at a budget-friendly price, attempting to carve out a niche in the competitive market of similar models. This time, we got our hands on the actual car, with the primary aim of verifying whether its static experience is “class-defying” enough and if its dynamic performance can meet the dual needs of daily commuting and family outings.

The first impression of the 2024 MG 5 is its “youthful vibe” in terms of design—it lacks the dullness of traditional family cars. The front features a large blacked-out grille paired with sharp LED headlamps, and the lens structure inside the lights enhances its recognition when illuminated. The side profile showcases standard sedan proportions, with a waistline running from the fender to the taillights. The 17-inch wheels aren't overly flashy, but paired with 215/50 R17 tires, the car's stance feels very stable. The highlight at the rear is the full-width LED taillight, with the MG logo in the center that lights up in sync, adding a strong sense of ceremony when parking at night. The rear bumper features a diffuser-like design, which, although decorative, enhances the sporty ambiance. Overall, the design doesn’t have any obvious drawbacks and fits into the category of “not stunning at first sight but grows on you over time.”

Getting inside, the materials and layout of the interior are more refined than expected. The top of the dashboard is covered in soft plastic, with no cheap hard plastic where your hands typically touch. The 10.25-inch central touchscreen serves as the visual focal point, featuring a clear interface and smooth operation. It supports Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity, making navigation and music streaming convenient. There are quite a few surprises in terms of configurations: the driver’s seat is 6-way power-adjustable with manual lumbar support, and even the passenger seat comes with power adjustment—something many competitors still offer as manual. The 7-inch fully digital instrument cluster provides comprehensive information, with interfaces that change according to the driving mode selected. The front row comes with single-zone automatic air conditioning, while the rear includes standard independent air vents, ensuring rear passengers don’t feel stuffy in the summer when the car is full. Space is in line with a C-segment sedan's positioning, with a wheelbase of 2680mm. A passenger with a height of 175cm sitting in the rear has about two fists of legroom and won't feel their head touching the roof. The rear seats support split-folding, and combined with the 45L fuel tank (reducing the frequency of refueling for daily use), occasionally carrying long items is no problem at all. In addition, features like keyless entry, electrically folding side mirrors, and a single sunroof come standard, showing attention to detail.

As for the driving experience, the first impression is that the power delivery is “smooth.” Its 1.5L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 114PS and a peak torque of 150N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. The acceleration response during start isn't aggressive, but the power output becomes very linear as you step on the accelerator, ensuring smoothness when following or overtaking cars in urban areas. On the highway, reaching 100km/h is not an issue, and it maintains a stable cruise at 120km/h, making it suitable for daily commuting and weekend family trips. The steering wheel has a moderate weight with no dead zones, and it offers good directional control when cornering. The suspension setup combines a front MacPherson strut and a rear torsion beam system, favoring comfort—bumps and road irregularities are mostly filtered out without feeling overly harsh. On mountain roads, body roll is kept within reasonable limits, so passengers don’t feel overly swayed. Regarding fuel consumption, we tested it over 50km of urban congestion and highway driving, averaging about 6.8L/100km. For a 1.5L family car, this performance is rather standard and shouldn’t burden owners with high fuel costs.

In terms of comfort details, the performance of the MG 5 is also commendable. The cabin's sound insulation is well-controlled, and at 120km/h on the highway, wind and tire noise are within an acceptable range and do not affect passengers' conversations. The seat padding is relatively soft, with adequate lumbar support, so you won't feel fatigued during long drives. The 360-degree panoramic camera is very practical when reversing or parallel parking, making it easy even for beginners. The sound quality of the six speakers, while not Hi-Fi level, is clear enough for listening to pop music in daily use.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2024 MG 5 are clear: standard six airbags, 360-degree panoramic camera, and electric seats for both the front and rear rows—these are "class-defying" configurations. The interior texture and space performance are not inferior to competitors in the same class, yet its price remains in an affordable range. Compared to competitors like the Toyota Vios or Honda City in the same segment, the MG 5 offers notable configuration advantages—for instance, features like electric adjustment for the front passenger seat and a fully digital instrument panel, which are only available in high-end trims of competing models. It is well-suited for a clear group of users: those with a budget of around 100,000 MYR, focusing on configuration and space, and looking for a "balanced, without weaknesses" family car. Whether for daily commuting or family outings, the MG 5 can meet your needs.

Overall, the 2024 MG 5 is not a "specialized" car but appeals to users with its "all-rounded" performance—while it may not have particularly impressive highlights, it doesn't have any obvious shortcomings either. It is a "can’t-go-wrong" choice for a family sedan.