In an era of 7-seaters, the MG 5 proves affordable sedans make sense

Updated Nov 23, 2020 | Same topic: Branded

Size is a good thing, but it isn’t everything.

Filipino car buyers are not alone in wanting to get their money’s worth, and they typically place special emphasis on rides that are potentially versatile as both household transport and business workhorses. This is why carmakers tend to focus on SUVs and MPVs in their local offerings. 

Think about it. An SUV or an MPV often touts several distinct advantages, top of which is the large interior space that makes ferrying up to seven occupants or a mix of people and cargo a breeze.

Another is the increased ride height, which has become a standard requirement even in city driving, on account of the potholes and poorly-maintained streets one can easily come across. A generous ground clearance inspires confidence when faced with flash floods, while a ladder-frame chassis in the case of SUVs makes off-road excursions possible.    

2020 MG 5 front profile shot

The MG 5 comes with a composed stance

With the benefits of bigger vehicles readily obvious, are the days of the sedan coming to an end? The MG 5 begs to disagree. It doesn’t compete on size or capability, but there are several aspects where it definitely shines. 

For one thing, there’s the trunk. It will be foolish to expect floor-to-ceiling cargo capacity on a sedan, but the MG 5’s spacious rear compartment is no slouch when it comes to space, all 512 liters of it. And that’s not to mention the collapsing rear seats, substantially expanding cargo space for longer items. 

2020 MG 5 trunk

Look at all that cargo space

The privacy of a trunk also means that valuables are largely safe from prying eyes, while the wagon body style of SUVs and MPVs typically requires a tonneau cover just to keep your belongings concealed.

In the event of a rear-end collision, that trunk acts as an extended crumple zone providing extra time and real estate to keep the cabin safe. 

>>> Related: 2021 MG 5 interior looks as premium as the exterior

2020 MG 5 interior shot

The MG 5 comes with a black interior theme

The MG 5’s seating is limited to five occupants. It sounds like a drawback at first, until you realize that it allows the sedan to maximize comfort for everyone on board, as the cabin is nestled between the front and rear axles.

Third-row seats on many larger vehicles feel like an afterthought, and their location over the rear wheels can be a lopsided compromise in terms of ride quality and comfort.  

2020 MG 5 side shot

The MG 5 is both classy and aggressive looking

>>> Related: MG Philippines is the quickest overseas distributor to get 5-star award

Sitting close to the ground, the MG 5 offers better handling characteristics than a typical people carrier, especially with and the lower center of gravity. The lighter mass also results in a better power-to-weight ratio, especially with the MG 5’s 1.5L engine delivering 112 hp and 150 Nm of torque.

2020 MG 5 rear shot

 The MG 5 is characterized by sharp lines

Cost is another aspect where the MG 5 wins. Whether it’s the base Core M/T or the top-spec Alpha CVT, every trim is competitively priced against almost any seven-seater vehicle in the market.

You won’t need to spend as much in terms of maintenance servicing as well, not to mention those periodic trips to the car wash.   

2020 MG 5 front profile shot

The MG 5 looks stunning

Despite the multitude of seven-seat offerings that other brands are scrambling over each other to sell, the MG 5 is secure in its own place as a reasonably-priced sedan that offers exceptional value while refusing to go out of style.

Big or small, if it runs on four wheels, you’ll read about it at Philkotse.com.

Know more about MG 5 2024

MG 5

The MG 5 2024 is a five-seater, front-wheel-drive sedan. Locally, this model from MG Philippines has four different variants. These include the MG 5 Core 1.5 MT, MG 5 Core 1.5 CVT, the MG 5 Style 1.5 CVT, and the MG 5 Alpha 1.5 CVT. The prices for these range from Php 698,888 to Php 878,888. 

All trims of the MG 5 use a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine, which is rated to make up to 112 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it either uses a five-speed manual gearbox, or a continuously variable transmission. Power is then sent to its front wheels. 

Size-wise, the MG 5 comes with a length of 4,601mm, a width of 1,818mm, and a height of 1,489mm. It also has a ground clearance of 118mm, and a wheelbase length of 2,680mm. 

Locally, the subcompact MG 5 sedan competes against the likes of the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Changan Alsvin, Nissan Almera, Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Reina, Kia Soluto, Volkswagen Santana, Hyundai Accent, Honda City, Suzuki Ciaz, among others. 

MG 5 Core MT Review: Are sedans going out of style?

>>> New and used MG 5 2024 for sale in the Philippines

MG 5 Launch

The Covenant Car Company, the official distributor of MG automobiles in the Philippines, launched the all-new MG 5 in September 2019. Worldwide, this acclaimed vehicle has been serving the roads since 2012 catering to Chinese and European enthusiasts.

MG 5 Exterior

The MG 5 measures 1,818mm wide, 4,601mm long, and a wheelbase of 2,680mm. It is considered to be one of the largest subcompact sedans in the local market today.

MG 5 exterior

At the front, the MG 5 shares the same slatted chrome grille as the MG RX5. Air intake slots and vents are also placed which adds an attractive appeal to its face. Top variants are fitted with LED projector lamps, while standard ones come with halogen projectors.

Character lines highlight its sleek, athletic body. At the back, the trunk is shortened but it has the capability to accommodate a load of 512 liters. Adding to the MG 5’s modern appeal are the pleasing LED taillights that are made of bars. It's efficient and very good-looking.

MG 5 Interior

Buyers get to decide its interior as it is offered in black and beige or monotone black. Top variants of the MG 5 are fitted with two-color interiors with leather-covered seats. Standard variants come with upholstered fabric seats.

The vibe inside the MG 5’s roomy cabin borders between modern and European-style design elements. High-quality plastic dominates its ergonomic dashboard and well-designed panels.

MG 5 interior

MG 5 trunk

Technology & Safety Features

Depending on the variant, the MG 5 comes with an eight- or ten-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Four speakers are placed inside the cabin to provide entertainment.  Higher variants are affixed with a 360-degree camera, keyless entry, and a push start button.

Safety is assured as it is built with up to six airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, ISOFIX attachment for child seats, and speed-sensing door locks.

MG 5 parking sensors

MG 5 airbags

Platform & Chassis

The MG 5 is built with Macpherson Strut suspension on its front and a torsion beam on the rear. Five disc brakes are efficiently distributed all around. Supporting its body are a set of 16-inch alloy wheels offered in mono or dual-tone.

Engine & Drivetrain

The MG 5 runs using a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated motor engine with Dual Variable Valve Timing. It produces 118 hp and a torque of 150 Nm.

>>> Read more: MG 5: How fuel efficient is this sedan?

There are six available color options for the Philippine-spec MG 5. These include Laser Blue, Moon White, Meteorite Black, Morning Gold, Extreme Speed Red, and Carbon Gray. 

The MG 5 sedan has one of the most affordable entry-level variants in the Philippine subcompact sedan market segment. Despite that, it still has a lot going for it in terms of safety features and amenities. It also beats a good number of other subcompact sedans in the market when it comes to horsepower and torque output. 

MG 5 2024 Price List

Let's check out the MG 5 2024 price in September in the Philippines.

 Variants Price
MG 5 1.5 Core MT ₱698,888
MG 5 1.5 Core CVT ₱738,888
MG 5 1.5 Style CVT ₱878,888

MG 5 2024 Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Great power output for its size and price 
  • Decent set of features 

Cons

  • Many might find its styling “too quiet” ​​​​​​​

MG 5 2024 FAQs

1. Is MG 5 fuel efficient?

Yes, it is. The MG 5 2024 has a fuel consumption of 21.81 km/l on the highway.

2. How many seats does an MG 5 have?

The MG 5 has five seats.

3. How much is the MG 5 Philippines?

The price of the MG 5 in the Philippines ranges from 698,888 Php for the entry-level model to 878,888 Php for the top-of-the-line model.

4. What are the dimensions of the MG 5 2024?

The new MG 5 dimensions are 4,601mm long, 1,818mm wide, and 1,489mm in height.

5. Does the new MG 5  have Apple CarPlay?

Yes, with wireless Apple CarPaly, you can connect and control every drive.

 

₱ 698,888 - ₱ 938,888

Explore
Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kapatilya

View more