MG 5

• The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine offers a reasonable power figure of 108 hp and 140 Nm of torque. The sedan is good for a daily commute with good stability on the highway as well. It is good at delivering power for a relaxed and predictable drive

• The 8-speed CVT transmission is absolutely fun to use, and MG has done a great job offering such easy acceleration at this price point; you hardly feel any jerks while shifting. What's more, it is highly adaptable to your driving style and also quite responsive whenever you want.

• Fuel consumption sits at an impressive 16.8 km/litre in combined driving across our cities. In city traffic, expect around 14-15 km/litre, while highway figures go up significantly. These figures make the sedan highly economical.

• The driving experience is satisfactory, aided by the light and responsive steering. It is easy to park and move through congested, crowded roads, despite the sedan's width. The electronic power steering adjusts to your driving speed, becoming heavier at highway speeds for better stability.

• Ground clearance is modest at around 170 mm, not great, but it is a compact sedan. Yet it can take on all our roads easily without an issue. The suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam in the rear. It is well-tuned and helps deliver a comfortable ride.

Things to Consider

• The 1.5L naturally aspirated engine won’t give you turbocharged punch, and acceleration from standstill is adequate but not quick.

• Since this is an entry-level sedan, don’t expect any performance figures

• The CVT transmission may sound different from traditional automatics.

• No all-wheel-drive option, only front-wheel-drive.

• The suspension is firm enough that very rough roads send vibrations into the cabin more than luxury sedans would allow.

• The steering response is immediate and feels connected to the road.

• Body control in corners is adequate. The car doesn't roll dramatically. Push it reasonably hard, and it responds predictably. Electronic stability control does its job silently.

• Hill-Start Assist is a feature that helps prevent rolling back on inclines.

• In the city, the MG 5 is genuinely easy to drive. The light steering makes parking straightforward.

• Cruise control is standard; once you get used to using it on highways, it reduces fatigue considerably.

Things to Watchout 

• The firm suspension isn’t the best, but for an entry-level car, that is expected. Yet, it handles most of the bumps and uneven roads.

• The low ground clearance means navigating deep wadis or seriously rough tracks requires caution.

• Engine noise under hard acceleration is noticeable. The 1.5L engine is not silent when pushed hard. Most driving keeps it quiet, but aggressive acceleration reminds you it is not a premium engine.

• Fuel economy drops noticeably in stop-and-go traffic.

• The 10.25-inch touchscreen attracts your attention once you get inside the cabin. It is positioned at eye level and responds quickly to inputs, and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wired connections, keeping your smartphone seamlessly integrated. The experience with navigation couldn’t have been better.

• A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is shiny and easy to read. The display speed, fuel level, and navigation directions are clear, and you can customise the display to your taste.

• The seat material is of fabric or PU leather and offers great support. You can adjust the front seats manually, but it has an electric option for the higher variant.

• Climate control is manual and electric-based, depending on variants, and works well and is quite effective. Not multi-zone, but adequate for most conditions. Rear vents ensure back-seat passengers are not forgotten.

• The steering wheel is wrapped in PU leather on the base and microfibre leather on the higher variant, which is certainly noteworthy. The multifunction controls allow you to control volume and take calls without removing your hands.

• The cabin has decent space for storage across several areas, starting with the glovebox, which is just fine, then the door bin and seat pocket to carry stuff around. The centre console has practical compartments, and the sun visors have vanity mirrors.

• Given this is a sedan, and so you get a separate boot, which is 406 litres, certainly enough for families and individuals.  You can also create more luggage space after the rear seats fold down completely. The boot opening is wide enough for real-world items.

• An electric sunroof is available on certain variants, and it feels like a good addition to open up the cabin and provide natural light.

• You get to choose from seven exterior colours, such as Black Pearl, Flare Red, Blade Silver, York White, and others. Interior trim comes in Dark Grey or Light Beige.

In summary, the MG 5's cabin is a great example of focus on everyday usability, packed with features and the latest tech. All of which buyers of this segment really care about. There is a lot packed in, considering such a low price for this sedan.

What we know

• The safety structure uses high-tensile steel, which means great structural robustness. This plays a vital role in the case of collisions as the safety cell safeguards occupants.

• Standard six airbags to protect everyone, at the front driver, front passenger, front side, and dual curtain bags.

• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution allows the braking force to be optimally distributed between wheels. An anti-lock braking system, Electronic Stability Control, are some highly critical safety features that work when most needed to prevent accidents.

• Hill-Start Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring are great features to have for everyday use

• The 360-degree camera system provides a complete view around the vehicle, helping to identify any blind spots during parking.

• ISOFIX anchor points allow secure installation of child seats.

What is less clear

C-NCAP Rating: The five-star rating is legitimate and independently verified. It is not just a safety checklist; it is actual crash testing that confirmed the result.

At this price point, the MG 5 does not offer some driver assistance, like the adaptive cruise control or forward collision warning.

Service network: MG is a growing brand, and service centres in KSA are growing, but still not as extensive and widespread as one might expect. This plays a role during warranty claims and parts availability compared to established brands with decades of presence.