2023 MG 5 small sedan one step closer to Australia
Chinese brand MG’s rival for the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 sedans is due in Australia by the middle of this year.
China’s rival for the top-selling Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 small cars is on track for Australian showrooms by the middle of this year.
The 2023 MG 5 – the growing Chinese car maker’s first entrant in the small-car category in six years – has received approval for sale in Australia by motor-vehicle regulators, ahead of first MG showroom arrivals due by July 2023.
Prices are yet to be confirmed for Australia. However if prices in its domestic market of China are a guide, entry-level models may cost less than $25,000 drive-away, with top-of-the-range versions closer to $30,000 drive-away.
The MG 5 sedan – which is available in China and Thailand with petrol power – is not to be confused with the MG 5 wagon, which is an unrelated electric car sold in Europe, and is not planned for Australia.
As reported last year, the MG 5 is scheduled to be built in China for Australia – rather than Thailand, as first announced when plans to sell the model in Australia were made public two years ago.
Australian details of the MG 5 won’t be confirmed until closer to launch, and it is unclear which of the petrol engines available in China – an 88kW/150Nm 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder, or a 127kW/275Nm 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder – will be introduced locally.
MG Australia has confirmed the MG 5 Scorpio edition – a sportier model with more turbo power (135kW/285Nm), and sports suspension, exhaust and styling – will not be available locally.
The Scorpio edition also offers a more advanced interior, with BMW and Mercedes-Benz-style dual 12.3-inch screens, rather than the 10.25-inch centre touchscreen and semi-digital instruments of the regular model.
It is unclear if these technology upgrades will be available in Australian cars – or if local models will use the smaller displays, which are also seen in MG 5 cars sold in the right-hand-drive Thai market.
Available features in the standard MG 5 overseas include LED headlights, automatic climate-control air conditioning, leather-look synthetic upholstery, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, six-speaker Yamaha sound system, and a sunroof.
Further features available on the MG 5 Scorpio in China include a wireless smartphone charger and a rear USB port, in addition to two up front.
A suite of advanced safety features is available on Chinese models, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera.
The new MG’s dimensions – 4675mm long, 1842mm wide, 1473mm high, and a 2680mm wheelbase – make it 45mm longer and 82mm wider than a Toyota Corolla sedan.
The 2023 MG 5 is due in Australian showrooms in the first half of this year, MG Australia says. More details are due closer to launch.
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