2023 MG GT Sport First Impressions Review | Philkotse Philippines

We’re almost at the end of 2022 but MG Philippines isn’t just done yet with this year. Capping off the “back to normal” year is the arrival of the MG GT, with an exclusive ride and drive invitation sent out to the members of the motoring media.

The MG GT is a compact car by size and engine output if you consider the turbocharged Sport version. However, the naturally aspirated Alpha variant and the model’s overall pricing classify this vehicle well within the subcompact category, taking on the venerable Toyota Vios and another newcomer, the Geely Emgrand.

It’s a promising model, and here are the rest of our thoughts after a quick encounter with the newest member of the MG family.

Design-wise, the MG GT’s aggressive styling bode well with its sporty appeal. It’s definitely a looker even beyond the yellow paint and despite its nose that appears to be pointed down, I like the whole fastback silhouette (though the trunk door still makes it a sedan).

2023 MG GT in gray exterior paint

While the Nuclear Yellow paint job looks sporty and youthful, another color option caught my eye. The gray one you see here is reserved for the Alpha variant but in my opinion, it’s the best color you can get – still sporty but with a tad touch of class.

It has crisp character lines

On the sides, the two-tone alloys are standard on both variants, albeit smaller in the lower Alpha trim. All wheels are equipped with disc brakes. The rear end, the sexy and sporty demeanor continues, almost looking feminine. 

The taillights look familiar

I love the whole ensemble of styling from front to back, especially the bevy of LEDs that are standard across the range. This will surely work for the company that needs people looking at their cars. Although, one can’t deny the resemblance of the GT’s rear end with another European brand, particularly a German with a three-pointed star as its emblem.

Inside, the MG GT is fairly equipped for its price point. The top-spec Sport variant comes with a powered driver’s seat with height adjustment, plus a couple of other premium appointments such as comfy leather seats, a speed-sensitive steering wheel, a sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 7-inch LCD display, and 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT Sport also comes with automatic climate control and power-folding side mirrors.

2023 MG GT's interior

As expected from its shape, those seated at the back will need to get used to the lower-than-usual headroom. Those who stand at my height (5’6”) will do just fine without any sense of being claustrophobic. Rear passengers are also given their own A/C vents for added comfort.

Going for the top-spec GT Sport will get you advanced safety features like Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent High Beam Control, and a 360-view camera system.

The MG GT has two engine options. The GT Sport is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine that makes 159hp and 250Nm of torque coupled to a 7-speed DCT – the best in the subcompact class and competitive in the compact segment. The lower Alpha variant is propelled by the same naturally aspirated mill found in the MG 5, which makes a decent 112hp and 150Nm of torque, mated to a CVT with 7 simulated gears in manual mode. 

On the road, the MG GT Sport that I drove around was spritely. It provides ample power that will make you forget that it’s a bit on the porky side, though the turbo lag will take some time to get used to. You’ll also feel the tightness of the speed-sensitive steering wheel, which adds to the sporty feeling when driving the car. The auto brake hold was proven to be a convenient feature to have amid the holiday Carmageddon.

Admittedly, the driving experience was a tad short for me to fully experience the car and give you a more in-depth analysis but what I can say is that it’s promising, especially for those looking for a sporty ride.

At this point, you might be wondering if the MG GT will be replacing the MG 5 in the lineup as its subcompact offering. The answer to that is no as the new model will be sold side-by-side with the current MG 5 but at a higher, more premium positioning.

2023 MG GT

Speaking of, the MG GT has an introductory price of P1,015,888 for the Alpha CVT variant, while the GT Sport has a sticker price of P1,193,888. Again, these are introductory prices and we think these are very attractive, especially for those looking to buy within this segment. The question now is how much will it be sold after the introductory offer. MG Philippines said that it will be around P50,000, more or less. The introductory offer is good until December 31, 2022, though there’s a possibility that it will be extended after the New Year.

The MG GT is now available for reservations at all MG dealerships nationwide, with deliveries happening in January 2023.