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
MG ZS
from RM103,900 
MG S5
from RM104,468 
MG Cyberster
from RM299,900 
MG HS
from RM129,900 
MG 5
from RM93,800 
MG 4
from RM100,888 
Habislah Toyota Vios
Yeah, toyota also fail durability test too
Yeah, admitted that my vios is less powerful than mg5, yup someone said back in 2022, is right. I was wrong
rear headlamp = Mustang + Persona
Oh wow cars has 4 wheel!!!
“rear headlamp” whats that… Hahahha.
Even space for vios is also not as comfortable as MG5
you mean perodua vios
Beauty
Cool
More choices for B segment sedan market
How come they can provide the other safety stuff but not AEB, which is arguably the most important one? Glaring omission indeed.
But at least this car have more safety overall anyways
What’s the Ncap rating?
But all that for zero star ANCAP rating. Are you going to buy one since you sound like a staunch supporter in the comments.
Try vios and see, definitely more regret than buying mg5. Not only just have to go workshop quite often, even also worried that Vios where vios also not proven safety rating
How bad a Vios can be compared to a zero star Ancap?
@newme have you check from many website that vios uses daihatsu parts, did you know how unsafe was like what happened to p2 owners complaining that p2 also part of daihatsu? Did you think worst safety than MG?
@newme
That is Australia specification for MG5 and what we are selling in Malaysia is CBU THAI and it meets the safety requirement by MY GOVT which includes 6 airbags, full set of electronic driving assistance plus our advance driving assistance system MG Pilot to ensure our customer safety for day to day driving.
However be rest assured that our international colleague in Australia do makes MG5 meet the safety requirement sets by Australia Govt
Anyways, MG5 imported from Thailand that sells in Malaysia will be more safer to drive and buy here than MG5 Australia version. No worries
Then show us the ASEAN NCAP rating?
Did you see Toyota jv Daihatsu have poor quality materials including DNGA platform, as you know about safety and durability test, did you think Vios is better than MG5, when Vios have lots of safety concern than MG5?
Those complaining about safety for MG5, actually, That is Australia specification for MG5 and what we are selling in Malaysia is CBU THAI and it meets the safety requirement by MY GOVT which includes 6 airbags, full set of electronic driving assistance plus our advance driving assistance system MG Pilot to ensure our customer safety for day to day driving.
However be rest assured that our international colleague in Australia do makes MG5 meet the safety requirement sets by Australia Govt
Anyways, MG5 imported from Thailand that sells in Malaysia will be more safer to drive and buy here than MG5 Australia version. No worries
So you’re saying, Australia has the poorer version of this MG? A more mature and safety-sensitive market? And we should accept it. The Jumbuck at least has 1 star but a 2023 car having 0 in that market? Crazy.
MG Malaysia has never denied or stated officially what the ANCAP is for the model sold in Malaysia.
@Chong Or Pei
You read Thai spec and Aus spec for MG5 and see which is more safer, since you cant believe the people truth, but you just comment anyways
You think it’s important, until you use it and you get rear ended because AEB kicked in when a motorbike cuts into your path. I have seen many such accidents in my group chat and frankly, all of us have disabled it. Yes, it’s nice to see such remarks from people who don’t have it, wish they do, but have no idea that it easily causes accidents.
Fact, 2 accidents in the last 2 weeks in my group, caused by AEB activation.
all i want to know is the result after police investigation. do they have dash cam to prove the motorcyclist’s wrongdoing? are they successful in claiming the insurance of the motorcyclist?
Mini Merc A Class lookalike but looks nice overall
habisla Merce
not A, but C class. but i think more look like a Peugeot.
I’m curious to hear about how it drives. I think the only brand that dared to chuck a 1.5L NA engine into a C-segment car was Mazda with the base-spec Mazda3 (but I think that trim’s been discontinued).
I’m also wondering if this would’ve been a better-packaged product if they sacrificed some stuff like the powered sunroof in exchange for the turbocharged 1.5L used in other markets instead, but it would probably be impossible to keep costs down that way.
The trend now is emphasizing more on fancy stuff that are visually appealing than engines.. Especially younger buyers and female buyers..
That’s how 218i and A200 sell their cars at 200k with mediocre engines.
Like this car. Even this car is NA engine but more power than Vios
due to size and weight, surely slower than vios.
Check the horsepower and transmission gearbox and see whether vios can achieve better than MG5
might have missed it but i feel like you guys should include the fact that this car scored a ZERO star ANCAP rating which is honestly the biggest of the red flags possible.
1 star ncap
Handsome
suitable for small family sedan
aiya, should have 1 more AEB and L2 Adaptive Cruise Control Spec
it only comes with the Passive Cruise Control Proton Wira Era?
should be wrong to pinpoint a car’s segment based on CC. IN SG and JP, most of the c-segments are available in 1.5 or 1.6. the mazda3 is available in 1.5, while the civic in 1.6. and not to forget the 1.6 elantra.
What is gov doing, should make AEB mandatory already. 2025 soon, come on.
It’s big, what’s the weight? Anything more than 1200kg with 1.5NA would feel sluggish.
This car has a rating of zero-star on ANCAP, think about it.
But more safer than Vios as you don’t really know whether vios is reliable or not since using DNGA platform as more buyers have safety concern after Vios as one of DNGA cars have caught safety test and durability test
Very attractive pricing…many Japanese car will be finish soon
Worth looking
Regretted buying dnga vios, should have wait to get this car
This is a nice car. Hope to see lots on the road.
Even with nice exterior and interior, this car was rated 0 star in AnCAP ,i mean really Zero star?? Not even 1-2star. Better buy other brand like city and vios even they got 2 star
Try vios and see, definitely more regret than buying mg5. Not only just have to go workshop quite often, even also worried that Vios where vios also not proven safety rating
Lmao look at these fools, down voting legit comments about safety and they can only can compare this car to Vios to defend this shitbox. Hope you’re getting paid enough dumbos.
Lmao look at these fools, down voting legit comments about safety and they can only can compare this car to Vios to defend this crapbox. Hope you’re getting paid enough dumbos.
the power output is a bit of a let down. being the newest car among its rivals, it should have the best performance.
Better than vios. Vios is most slowest in its class
Let’s not forget the ZERO star ANCAP rating this thing got shall we. S
But more safer than Vios as you don’t really know whether vios is reliable or not since using DNGA platform as more buyers have safety concern after Vios as one of DNGA cars have caught safety test and durability test….Remember
Isn’t this the car that made history with Zero stars ANCAP safety rating?
Better, safer and faster than vios
So where are the detractors who routinely bash national brands for any shortcomings but have not said a single thing about the MG5 scoring ZERO stars in ANCAP testing? All the connectivity in the world will not help if you get in an accident that results in your legs getting crushed and you wear the steering wheel as a bandana.
That is Australia specification for MG5 and what we are selling in Malaysia is CBU THAI and it meets the safety requirement by MY GOVT which includes 6 airbags, full set of electronic driving assistance plus our advance driving assistance system MG Pilot to ensure our customer safety for day to day driving.
However be rest assured that our international colleague in Australia do makes MG5 meet the safety requirement sets by Australia Govt
Anyways, MG5 imported from Thailand that sells in Malaysia will be more safer to drive and buy here than MG5 Australia version. No worries
compare to s70 u got less power no turbo, but got extra 1 cylinder and timing chain. Save the hassle to change engine mounting earlier or timing belt after 80k km.
Vios no lah, same myvi drivetrain sell rm90k+.
City E or V spec still buyable with discounts.
I choose city, fuel saving and easy maintenance priorities.
Yup! Vios is also one of the most unreliable car in its b segment class after already got caught safety test and durability test
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&q=ncap+for+MG5#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:d48ae2de,vid:wOwCqFDd0xM,st:0
That is Australia specification for MG5 and what we are selling in Malaysia is CBU THAI and it meets the safety requirement by MY GOVT which includes 6 airbags, full set of electronic driving assistance plus our advance driving assistance system MG Pilot to ensure our customer safety for day to day driving.
However be rest assured that our international colleague in Australia do makes MG5 meet the safety requirement sets by Australia Govt
This MG5 won’t be selling by many units in Malaysia, unless the engine is upgraded to a more “reasonable” turbo charged one. Also, the lack of adas is not helping at all. Good luck to MG.
Those complaining about this car, have you really know that Toyota was caught by cheating scandal for several times based on safety test and durability test? Did you think worst than MG5, ask yourself and remember this.
Ai-ya! Should launch earlier ma… already bought two S70. This is the perfect choice for us. Beauty, elegance, prestigious, love it. No star, no problem. Before Ncap exist all cars had no star. Make sure you drive carefully, not reliaing on air bag, sports tyre or super star.
Nice car!!
refer my name
BOOOOOOOOOOOO to MG5 and YAAAAAAYYYYY to City V as well as Proton S70 Flagship and/or Flagship X instead
Zero star safety rating…bye bye
i bet yall swap he badge with a mercedes people would legit think it’s an A class sedan or CLA ♥️♥️♥️ hope the RV tanks but quality remains after 1 or 2 years and buy them used.