The 2025 MG5 made its Malaysian debut in October 2024 and currently stands as MG Malaysia’s only sedan offering. Imported (CBU) from Thailand, it’s also the only non-Japanese/Malaysian B-segment sedan in the market — proudly wearing a British badge on its grille.
Read on for our full review of the 2025 MG5 below.
Overview
Priced from RM 94,470, the MG5 is the most affordable model in MG Malaysia’s lineup. With frequent promotions, prices can dip as low as RM 86,900. Only one variant is available locally — the MG5 Lux.
Under the hood, the MG5 features a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 114 PS at 6,000 rpm and 150 Nm at 4,500 rpm, paired to a CVT automatic transmission (with 8 virtual ratios) that sends power to the front wheels.
On our 1,200 km road trip, we averaged 7.8 L/100 km, which is commendable considering the heavy Penang traffic and stop-and-go congestion on the North–South Expressway.
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Exterior
The MG5 is one eye-catching fastback sedan, more so with its Nuclear Yellow colour scheme you see here. Compared to the rest of its segment rivals, such as the Honda City or Toyota Vios, the front-end of the MG5 looks like a feline that’s ready to pounce.
Couple that with the large gaping grille flanked by a pair of sharp LED headlights and dark grey inserts, there’s absolutely no mistaking the MG5 for anything else on the road. The rear of the MG5 gets a pair of LED tail lights with “claw-like” vertical slats, with a sporty rear diffuser completing the rear-end of this B-segment sedan.
The sole variant that’s offered in Malaysia also gets 17-inch Tomahawk dual-tone alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), and a sunroof.
Interior
Taking a leaf out of its electric brethren, the 2025 MG5 features two digital display – a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a larger 10.25-inch unit that serves as the infotainment system. Speaking of infotainment, it supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audio is routed through a 6-speaker sound system.
Watch: SAIC MG 5 Standard from RM93,900 (CBU)
Build quality is decent, as we didn’t notice any odd rattling or squeaks during our time inside the cabin. Given its price point, hard plastics are used generously, which should be good for the longevity.
Hard plastics aside, where the 2025 MG5 truly shines is interior space. Thanks to its 2,680 mm long wheelbase, rear legroom is generous, to say the least. For context, that’s 80 mm longer than the Honda City, and only 21 mm shorter than the sixth-generation Honda CR-V (codenamed RS).
The 2025 MG5 also offers features like a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, leather upholstery with red highlights, 360-degree camera, electric parking brake (EPB), It ain’t exactly a bed of roses – we do wished that the MG5 came with telescopic steering adjustment, or even a rear arm rest.
Driving experience
Sitting on the top left corner of the tailgate is a small emblem that read “Brit Dynamic” – this isn’t just for show, as the MG5’s ride and handling is tuned to suit European taste. Think of it like driving a Volkswagen Vento rather than an equivalent Japanese model.
The roads in Penang Island as well as the long straights of the North South Expressway gave us the chance to feel just that – the 2025 MG5 has minimal body roll, and remains composed even when road conditions are sub-par. And its long wheelbase meant that highway stability and comfort levels are a notch above its core rivals.
Its 215-width tyres are amongst the widest in the segment, which bodes well for handling. Under normal driving circumstances, we doubt anyone sane would be able to safely exceed the grip limits of the 2025 MG5 – it’s that grippy. Granted, part of the reason is likely because MG also offers a higher performance version of the MG5, one fitted with a turbo mill that churns out up to 181 PS and 285 Nm (figures vary from market-to-market).
This B-segment sedan also offers the ability to adjust the feel of the steering wheel – Urban, Normal, Dynamic, which can be accessed via the infotainment display. Also unlike its segment rivals, the 2025 MG5 offers a Dynamic Driving Management display, capable of displaying power output, acceleration, and braking. There’s even a built-in 0-100 km/h timer in the instrument cluster. These aren’t features normally found in mainstream B-segment cars, let alone one that costs less than RM 100k.
Speaking of which, one would need to access the infotainment display to adjust the climate control (temperature, fan speed) – there’s no voice-activated controls here.
The MG5’s powertrain combination is par for the course. It won’t be winning any traffic light sprints any time soon, but as a simple point A to point B car, the 2025 MG5 does its job just fine.
Conclusion – Value with an European touch
For under RM 95k, the 2025 MG5 offers standout styling, excellent cabin space, and handling that outshines many Japanese rivals. While not perfect, its blend of comfort, features, and road manners makes it a strong alternative in the B-segment sedan market.