MG IM5 review

Our opinion on the MG IM5

Our first experience of the new MG IM5 has left us rather impressed. It has range and charging figures to challenge the likes of Tesla and Hyundai, and it’s sensibly priced, too. It’s a slight pity the IM5 can’t quite replicate the magic of the MG4’s driving dynamics, although the performance is extremely punchy in the larger-battery versions. Refinement is also a positive.

About the MG IM5

MG has become a significant player in the electric-car market, but to help the firm expand, it’s looked to its home market of China and in particular fellow SAIC-owned brand, IM Motors.

IM stands for ‘Intelligence in Motion’ and IM Motors was only founded in 2020. Since then has launched the LS7 and LS6 in China. We saw both cars at the Geneva Motor Show in 2024 and they have morphed into the IM6 SUV and this, the IM5 saloon for the UK market.

Sitting above MG’s regular model line-up – the MGS5 EV and MG4 – the more premium IM5 is compact executive car pitched as a rival to the Hyundai Ioniq 6, BMW i4, BYD Seal, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3. The IM5's styling drew plenty of comparisons to the Model 3 when it was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2025. 

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The IM5’s model range is fairly self-explanatory. The Standard Range car comes with a 75kWh battery and a 291bhp rear-mounted electric motor for a maximum range of 304 miles. The Long Range gets the larger 100kWh battery and a more powerful 402bhp motor on the rear axle with an impressive range of 441 miles. The Performance variant gets the same 100kWh battery and a dual-motor system that bumps power to a frankly insane 741bhp, while losing some range in the process, providing a 357-mile maximum.

MG IM5 prices and latest deals

The IM5 Standard Range model costs £39,450, the Long Range comes in at £44,995 and the Performance range-topper is priced at £48,495.

If that seems too pricey, the Auto Express Buy A Car service has a few IM5s to choose from on the used-car marketplace right now if you’re looking for a deal. 

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While we were mesmerised by the MG4’s surprisingly good driving dynamics when it was launched, the IM5’s rivals include the Tesla Model 3 and entry-level BMW i4 eDrive35, so a certain level of engagement is expected. The IM5 drives better than the IM6 for starters, thanks to weighing less and having a lower centre of gravity, although it’s not the electric sports car you might hope it might be – even with up to 741bhp on tap. 

Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed 

The IM5 is a quick car in any trim and most buyers will be perfectly happy with the performance in the single-motor version. The 75kWh-battery model’s sub-seven-second 0-62mph time is not to be sniffed at, although the Long Range’s 402bhp motor offers quick progress, with enough power to sometimes break traction at the rear even with the electronic stability control turned on. There’s a little bit of squatting as the single-motor version puts its power down, however, it feels pretty natural in the IM5, with a steady build-up of torque rather than an immediate lump. 

If you’re heavy with your right foot, the dual-motor Performance model can be much more frantic, as you might expect, but overall, traction is far better than in the rear-wheel-drive model. The Performance seems to hold on to its oomph at higher speed, too, which isn’t that surprising given it tops out at more than 160mph. 

Town driving, visibility and parking 

Unlike the IM6 SUV, which gets adaptive air suspension in its range-topping Launch Edition trim, the IM5 saloon is fitted with passive springs and dampers whatever specification you choose – although we were told the suspension is tweaked in line with the changes in weight and power between the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive models and the dual-motor variant.

We tried both the single-motor and dual-motor IM5, back to back with the IM6 SUV. Starting with the single-motor IM5 Long Range, it felt no worse than the IM6 (even without the air suspension) possibly a side effect of the IM5 weighing around 200kg less than the SUV and sitting on smaller 20-inch wheels (although the IM5 dual-motor gets 21-inch rims). 

The IM5 can sometimes thump into big potholes, although at high speeds the damping felt nicely set up, erring just on the right side of comfortable without being too floaty or fidgety. Low-speed comfort is decent, too, with speed bumps smothered successfully. Even when we jumped into the dual-motor car with its larger wheels, we couldn’t sense much of a change in the ride quality. 

Of course, you sit lower in the IM5 than in the IM6, but the driving position is very good. Visibility to the front is excellent, too, but the view to the rear is a joke, thanks to a tiny window and miniature rear-view mirror. 

Country road driving and handling 

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The IM5 and IM6 were subjected to further chassis development at Longbridge in the West Midlands to make them more suited to the driving styles of UK customers than the Chinese market.

For everyday use, the steering is perfectly acceptable, and the shape and size of the steering wheel are spot on. But what immediately makes you realise this is no sports car is the steering feel – it certainly makes us wonder how vague and light it must be in the Chinese cars. Push hard and you’ll struggle to enjoy guiding the car through bends, which is a shame because there’s little body roll, and the double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear combine to make the car extremely keen to change direction. 

The selection of driving modes includes Comfort, Eco and Sport settings with an additional Custom mode to tweak things such as the steering weight and throttle response – but we’d recommend keeping the steering in Sport, because it’s far too delicate in other modes. You can also adjust the brake regeneration, but the IM5 doesn’t offer a one-pedal mode, although MG says it may consider adding it later on. 

The brakes themselves are from Continental, which MG made a big deal about. They’re pretty good, with enough stopping power even for the Performance version – but overall feel isn’t the best, because they can be tricky to modulate at low speeds.

Motorway driving and long-distance comfort 

MG has also taken measures to give the IM5 the refinement you’d expect of an executive saloon. Open the front doors and you’ll spot sound-deadening material wedged into the front wing, for example. There’s also double-layer soundproof glass and a double-glazed panoramic sunroof to cut wind and road noise at speed, which the IM5 does effectively. Like the polished suspension set-up, the seats are geared more towards comfort than sporty driving, with not much side bolstering.

“It’s difficult to make a case for the Performance version, because it doesn’t bring any greater joy behind the wheel for its lack of efficiency. It’s a shame the steering lets the IM5 down, because the rest of the car’s dynamics are mostly there.” - Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter

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Sitting on a new platform that’s never been used in the UK, the IM5 is unknown. Headline range and charging numbers should tempt Tesla buyers, though. 

Electric range, battery life and charge time 

Having a huge 100kWh battery helps massively towards the IM5’s overall range, but the car’s drag coefficient is only 0.226Cd and it sits on an EV-dedicated platform. We weren’t quite able to mirror the claimed 4.5 miles per kWh on the more sedate part of our driving route, but we did manage 4.1 miles per kWh – which translates to a still fantastic 410-mile range. 

The platform that underpins the IM5 is the same as the MG IM6’s, and the IM5 Standard Range with its 75kWh lithium iron-phosphate battery has a 400V architecture; a maximum recharge rate of 152kW will see a 10 to 80 per cent top-up take 26 minutes. 

Despite the battery’s bigger capacity, models with the 100kWh NMC (nickel, magnesium cobalt) pack get an 800V base, which allows the same recharge to take just 17 minutes with a maximum 396kW charging speed. Right now there are very few places in the UK where you’ll be able to hit that maximum speed, although it’s good to know the IM5 will be amongst the quickest to charge as charging stations get uprated. 

Insurance groups

Compared with the Model 3, which starts in group 36 and finishes in 48 for the Performance range-topper, the MG is an expensive car to insure. We imagine part of the reason for that is the large battery and the relatively new platform and technology underpinning the IM5. 

Tax 

​Electric cars typically offer lower running costs than their internal-combustion counterparts, and that’s not just in terms of fuel. For company-car users, EVs are in the three per cent Benefit-in-Kind rate, which is a lot lower than cars with internal-combustion engines. 

The cheapest IM5 (Standard Range) costs less than £40,000, which means it doesn’t succumb to the luxury car tax threshold. If you go for the Long Range or Performance, you’ll be subject to an additional surcharge above the standard rate of VED from the second time the vehicle is taxed up until it is six years old. 

Depreciation 

No matter which IM5 you get, our residual-value experts say it should hold on to around half of its original cost after three years and 36,000 miles. That’s pretty good going and better than the 46 per cent average that Tesla Model 3 buyers end up with. 

To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our free car valuation tool...

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Due to arriving in China first under a different brand, the IM5 and IM6 look completely different to the rest of the MG line-up. You can certainly see elements of Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model 3 in the IM5’s design, while its dimensions are actually closer to a BMW i5’s than its rivals’, so the MG has presence on the road, too. 

Something else that helps the IM5 stand out from the rest of the brand’s range is the absence of MG badging – there isn’t a single one on the car. Instead, you get ‘IM’ badges. Given MG’s reputation for value-focused offerings, this branding switch-up does make sense for the more premium-orientated models. 

There are four colours to choose from: white, grey, black and blue. We don’t think any of them are particularly eye-catching, although it’s good to know that alongside the no-cost white option, the rest cost £545 – meaning any paint on the Standard Range model still keeps the cost below £40,000. 

Interior and dashboard design 

If you thought the exterior of the IM5 was a copy and paste job from the IM6, that’s nothing compared with the interior. 

As in the SUV, the IM5 has a choice of interior colours. The grey and black option is fine, but the white really stands out by switching the silver trim (on items such as the window switches, air-vents, IM badges and speakers) to gold. It’s a no-cost option to choose between them as well, although both get artificial-leather upholstery. We were also quite shocked to open the IM5’s door for the first time and be greeted with bespoke crushed-velvet floor mats, but we’re told they’re here to stay. 

Materials and build quality

Given its positioning as a rival to BMW and Tesla, you’d expect interior quality to be noticeably higher than other MGs. The IM5’s cabin is full of soft-touch materials and the design is all swoopy and rather inoffensive. You could argue that IM5 doesn’t feel particularly exciting, but it does feel distinct to MG’s cheaper models. 

During our test we didn’t notice any trim rattles or creaks, which is good considering the tight fit and finish of seemingly every panel inside.  

Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo 

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With the same dashboard as the IM6, the IM5 also comes with a 10.5-inch touchscreen on the centre console. We found it sits a little too flat, which isn’t an issue in the IM6 where you’re sitting higher up, but it’s a little awkward in the sleeker IM5. 

The infotainment system’s screen (as with the 26.3-inch dashtop-mounted screen) is impressive, with quick response and loading times. The design of the menus is also simple to understand and the customisable features for lighting and displays are decent, too. But we’re less impressed by the integration of climate controls into the screen, because they’re not readily available. We also found the integrated sat-nav led us astray a few times, which shouldn’t be an issue for those that like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (which are integrated as standard). 

MG’s approach to a minimalist cabin means it’s easier to count the number of functions that are operated physically in the IM5 than not. 

 “Sticklers for typos won’t enjoy delving into the IM5’s menus. I found ‘enegry’ and ‘ramdom’ along with an odd warning of ‘keep stable when driving on snowfield’.”  - Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter  

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There’s no competition for the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer here because the MG IM5 is strictly saloon only. Still, practicality is a positive – although if you want a more family-friendly EV, the IM6 SUV will be the better option. 

Dimensions and size 

In order to fit that 100kWh battery, the IM5’s wheelbase is very long. As is its body – which helps free up a useful amount of passenger space. 

 Seats & passenger space

 Despite the sleek roofline, the interior space doesn’t feel too dissimilar to the IM6, with plenty of headroom all round. Knee room for rear-seat passengers is good, too, although there’s less space under the front seats for feet than in the IM6. Rear passengers do get heated seats, but don’t get too much in the way of features. There’s a USB-C port on the back of the centre console, a flip-down central armrest with cup-holders, and a pouch on the back of the front seats, but that’s about it. 

As standard you get a 12-way electronic adjustable driver’s seat and a six-way adjustable passenger seat. Up front you also get a smartphone charger that’s also ventilated (just as well, because it charges up to 50W). 

There’s also a large section beneath the centre console to store things, but it’s awkward to reach. The door bins up front are comically small as well.  The IM5 has two Isofix points on the outer rear seats – the same as you’d find in the IM6. 

Boot space

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MG has given the IM5 a ‘frunk’, but its capacity is only 18 litres, so it’s good for charging cables and little else. The 457-litre boot has a fairly narrow opening but is pretty deep and comes with a flat floor. Folding the rear seats down can only be done in a 60:40 configuration. 

You might notice there are little plastic ‘IM’ circles dotted around the cabin and one in the boot. They’re for magnetic holders (similar to Dacia’s ‘YouClip’ accessories), although we were told these extras won’t come to the UK market.  

“Tall adults will be comfortable in the back of the IM5 with its reclined, padded seats. The huge panoramic sunroof, which went all the way behind my head, really helps with making the interior feel spacious.” - Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter

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Euro NCAP scored the IM5 very highly across all categories, which should help ease concerns over this relatively unknown car from China. In fact, the percentage scores for the IM5 were almost identical to the IM6, although the SUV fared a little better for adult occupants. 

As with most cars fitted with a suite of driver-assistance technology these days, everything resets after each use. This can be a little annoying if you find things such as the lane-keep assist and driver-attention warning overbearing, like we did. 

Other standard safety equipment on the IM5 includes emergency brake assist, forward collision warning, speed detection warning and blind-spot monitoring. 

Neither the IM6 or the IM5 has appeared in Auto Express’s Driver Power survey, although MG has. Owners ranked the British brand last out of the 31 manufacturers in the 2025 poll. 

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• Best buy: MG IM5 Standard Range

It’s a toss up between the Standard Range and the Long Range with the Performance version lacking any real-world benefit. The Standard Range might have only just over 300 miles of range but it’ll be quick to recharge, costs less than £40,000 and should be a little more comfortable. The Long Range has good straight-line speed and an incredible range, which for just over £5,000 more is very tempting. 

MG IM5 alternatives

The main rival to the MG is, of course, the Tesla Model 3. The American EV received an update soon after the IM5 was launched, bumping range up to 466 miles while keeping entry prices below £40,000. In fact, throughout the line up the Tesla and MG are very similar. 

Cars such as the Polestar 2 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 are good alternatives, although they start from the mid-£40,000s, as does the BYD Seal.