MG’s new 2024 MG 5 Sedan has a bit of the Peugeot vibe going on.  It looks really cool and is loaded with features, all while riding comfortably and performing well in all the everyday tasks about town and out in the country that we Aussie folk tend to do.  I think I’m right in saying that it is Australia’s least expensive sedan: for the MG5 Vibe, you only need to hand over twenty-five-odd K; the MG 5 Essence asks for around $29 K (at the time of writing). 

Six vibrant colours can adorn the sleek new 2024 MG5 Sedan’s bodywork.  All you need to do is choose between the Dover White, Royal Yellow, Misty Grey Metallic (add $700), Brixton Blue Metallic (add $700), Black Pearl Metallic (add $700), and Diamond Red Metallic ($700).  The MG5 Sedan looks superbly nice in the metal, with its outline running effortlessly through the air.  Around the front of the car, the nose is particularly well-balanced in its design, and the MG5’s facial expression is all about forward motion and purpose. 

For the brand new MG 5 Sedan, MG’s flagship model is the Essence. With this model, you have some sweet distinct features that distance it from the base model Vibe.  For starters, the 1.5-litre ULP motor is turbocharged and also comes with a 7-speed DCT gearbox, which also boasts a set of paddle shifters on the steering wheel, should you want to flick through the gears at your own pace.  The specially upgraded front grille trim gives the Essence a little more definition in the nose, which is in keeping with the MG 5’s overall gorgeous lines of motion.  The Essence also sits boldly on a set of attractive 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels with a more angular pattern, and the wing mirrors in this model are electrically folding and can be heated for those colder mornings.  I like the addition of the sunroof, which is found in the Essence model, as I think this lifts any vehicle’s status right from the word go.  The six-speaker audio rocks and comes with a 3D sound effect.  In old-school language, ‘3D sound effect’ might be referred to as surround sound.  The other two main features of the Essence are the addition of a 360 degree view that’s available around the car thanks to camera technology, and a driver’s seat that comes with electronic adjustment. 

Everything else that the 2024 MG 5 Vibe Sedan has is generally also found on the Essence.  These other features include items like the reversing camera with parking sensors, cruise control, three steering modes (urban, normal and dynamic), a 10-inch multi-function colour touch screen that is also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio streaming, six airbags, comfortable synthetic leather seats and leather steering wheel, automatic LED headlamps, a tyre monitoring system, push button start, and keyless entry.  The MG5 Vibe Sedan comes standard with 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels, a CVT gearbox, and a four-speaker audio system.  Both 2024 MG5 Sedans also boast autonomous emergency braking and electronic stability control.

Obtaining power (84 kW/150 Nm) from a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 91-ULP engine in the Vibe is done efficiently through its CVT gearbox and front wheel drive layout.  The MG5 Vibe Sedan feels brisk and capable.  However, if you spend a little more dosh and go for the Essence model, its 1.5-litre motor has a turbo added into the mix, so the MG 5 really brightens up somewhat with this engine (119 kW/250Nm) at the heart of your drive, with little noticeable difference in overall fuel consumption between the two.  The ride quality of either model is nice, the Essence being slightly firmer in its ride in order to cope with the added power of the turbo motor and the brisker driving dynamics when under full load.  The brakes feel solid and strong.  Of course, when you need to make an emergency braking manoeuvre should the road surface become slippery, ABS is at the ready. 

On average, you should easily see well below 7 litres/100 km on a regular basis, particularly when you have a mix of town and country motoring, with even lower fuel consumption being on order should you use the 2024 MG 5 Sedan predominantly out on the open road. 

Storage in the front of the MG 5’s cabin is pretty good, with a pair of cupholders between the front seats and a decent storage tray in front of the gear shifter.  There is also a large centre console bin, a decent glovebox, and bottle holders/pockets in each of the doors.  The boot is reasonable in terms of the shape and size, with there being 401 litres of luggage capacity behind the split-folding rear seats.  Buyers who value the practicality of a spare wheel will appreciate that there is a space-saver under the new MG5’s boot floor.  One drawback to buyers might be that the car isn’t rated for towing. 

All said and done, the brand new 2024 MG5 Sedan impresses.  It looks great, is roomy, and offers plenty of great features.  The 1.5-litre turbo Essence has plenty of pep, while the Vibe’s naturally aspirated motor gets around adequately anyway – albeit without that extra smack of turbo grunt.   

What a great hidden gem among the current flock of family-friendly sedans!  Buy new, and its fantastic 7-year/unlimited km warranty sets you in good stead for plenty of trouble-free years of motoring.

The 2024 MG5 Sedan models include the:

• 2024 MG 5 Vibe Sedan
• 2024 MG 5 Essence Sedan 1.5T

For any more information on the new MG 5 Sedan or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of MG dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!