Introduction
When we received a call from MG inviting us to test drive their all-new MG 5 as part of the Middle East Car of the Year awards, we were only aware of a schedule for a free test drive. We headed out without any prior knowledge to navigate through busy streets, crossing Al Quoz and Al Khail Road towards Dubai Creek. Naturally, we were eager to find ourselves in heavy traffic to assess the comfort of the car.
Market Competition
MG presents this vehicle in response to:
The MG 5 is a compact sedan designed explicitly to win over customers, offering numerous features at a very competitive price, providing a valuable option that its rivals cannot match.
Exterior Design
Like all MG models, the MG 5 boasts a stunning design that gives it an impression of luxury and high-end appeal. Its distinctive LED headlights, complemented by stylish daytime running lights, are seamlessly integrated with a chrome front grille. All these elements create an exceptionally striking first impression. The beautiful design continues with sharp curves along the body and an elegant set of alloy wheels that fill their spaces gracefully.
Interior Design
The interior design is just as beautiful as the exterior, continuing to impress us with its quality and aesthetic, based on a modern minimalist theme. For instance, you won’t find many buttons on the dashboard or center console; instead, there is a large 10.1-inch touchscreen that controls everything from the radio to the air conditioning and other features like general vehicle settings and Bluetooth connectivity.
The MG 5 compensates for the lack of features such as rear air conditioning vents and a steering wheel adjustment column with notable amenities like electric leather seats, cruise control, electric parking brakes with automatic hold, a sunroof, and connectivity with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus a surround-view camera that makes parking easier. Can you get more than this for a price starting at AED 48,000? We don’t think so.
Driving Experience
The vehicle is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that produces 118 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT automatic transmission. Although the numbers may seem modest, they are adequate for city driving and congested roads. Once you hit the open roads, you’ll have the chance to experience the three steering modes and the two driving modes offered by the car.
Speaking of modes, the car features "Urban, Normal, and Dynamic" steering modes, which add more weight to the steering for a more engaging drive. For driving modes, there are "Normal and Eco," which adjust the throttle sensitivity.
Verdict
With a starting price of AED 38,850 and reaching AED 48,000 for the fully equipped model, the MG 5 offers buyers a specification-rich option at a price point that competitors can't match. But is it the perfect car? Definitely not. However, its shortcomings can easily be overlooked when considering the thousands of dirhams you save by choosing the MG 5 over its Japanese or Korean competitors.
