Every great magic trick consists of three acts. The first act is called, “The Pledge.” The magician shows you something ordinary, but of course, it probably isn’t. The second act is called, “The Turn.” The magician makes this ordinary thing do something extraordinary. Now, you’re looking for the secret, but you won’t find it. That’s why there’s a third act called, “The Prestige.” This is the part with the twists and the turns. Where lives hang in the balance and you see something shocking that you’ve never seen before.
Just typing this famous opening line from the Christopher Nolan movie, “The Prestige” is giving me goosebumps. It’s cinematic gold, and it’s something I really wished the guys at MG Philippines considered watching first before naming their subcompact sedan, the MG5 Prestige. See, their latest offering for the local market is missing the third act altogether. It nails down The Pledge and The Turn, but ends up fumbling The Prestige.
A bit of a history lesson first, and things may get confusing. This is the new 2026 MG5. And no, it’s not related to the MG GT even if they do share the same basic platform. See, when MG started offering the MG5 to markets outside of China, for some reason, they opted to base it on the Chinese market Roewe i5 (not to be mistaken for the Ei5 which is the pure electric version). They would then continue to sell the MG GT as the MG5 in China. As a result, countries like the Philippines both get the Roewe-i5-based MG5 and the Chinese MG5 which was rebadged as the MG GT. You following? Good.
Seven years after the introduction of the Roewe i5-based MG5 in the Philippines, you’d think that MG would use this chance to clean up their lineup, right? Apparently, not. As it ends up, the MG5 is getting a new lease in life as it rolls in with substantial updates that go beyond the usual new bumpers and wheels. Basically, almost everything has been changed inside and out and oddly enough, they’re not all for the better.
The Pledge in this case is the fact that the MG5 is sized above the competition. Although it competes in the B-segment, dimensionally, it’s even longer than the country’s best-selling C-segment sedan, the Toyota Corolla Altis. It also has one of the largest trunks in the B- and C-segments, something I can attest to with how it swallowed my monthly S&R grocery run.
Size notwithstanding, the MG5 also packs decent specs. Powering it is a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 110 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque. It also uses a CVT which promises to maximize fuel economy, an important consideration in today’s P 100-plus gas prices. It also has class-above safety with its 4 SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, tire pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, and reverse camera.
The Turn here is courtesy of the MG5’s styling and high-value spec. Compared to the sedan it replaces, the new one gets a massive dose of styling. As a refresh, the hardpoints remain more or less the same as before, but the slimmer LED headlights, sinewy grille, and resculpted bumpers do a lot to give it a more elegant vibe. It’s the same at the back where the arrow-shaped taillights and new bumpers tie everything nicely. Inside, the transformation is even more dramatic. The previous generation MG cabin has been completely ripped out (save for a few pieces) and replaced by a visually slim, angular design that’s similar (but not the same) as the current MG GT’s.
And of course, they’ve upped the amount of luxury and tech too with 16-inch wheels, sunroof, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment, leather seats, and electronic control for the AC (not climate control) with rear vents.
So far, so good then. At this point, you’re asking: how did the MG5 Prestige fumble The Prestige? Well, it’s all in the ergonomic details. The moment you stop looking at it and drive it, small issues gnaw at you up to the point that the entire experience is spoiled.
Starting with the most obnoxious one: the trunk. Sure, it’s voluminous and you can even flip the rear bench down for extra space. But just like the previous MG5 (and the MG GT), the trunk lid is a hazard to your health. The angle of opening is small, and it’s guaranteed that you’ll knock your head there from time to time.
Climbing aboard, the MG5’s cabin may look fairly alright, but the ergonomics, dear god, the ergonomics weren’t designed for humans. The basic controls—the gauges, the steering wheel, and pedals—stuff that were carried over from the old sedan are fine. But everything else just doesn’t fit in. It’s fashion over form as it’s almost impossible to use the cup holders, the armrest console, or the storage area beneath the shifter without being a contortionist.
Further aggravating things is the new touchscreen infotainment system. The presence of physical buttons for most-used functions is much obliged, but as for the screen itself, it requires gorilla arms just to tap. And the responsiveness is slower than a sloth’s. A surprise given that the UI is quite similar to the new ZS and HS—could MG be using a slower processor in the MG5? Oh, and I must mention: the anti-glare coating in this brand-new unit was already peeling. A shame as the rest of the interior does feel plasticky, but well-built.
On the move, the MG5 is as bland as an NPC (non-playable character). It’s a commuter car—it goes, it stops, and it turns. End of story. It won’t make you crack a smile or raise your pulse, even for a short bit. It goes about its business in a measured manner, but you can trust it to reach 100 km/h at some point. The engine itself can be quite vocal, but it’s refined. The CVT, however, needs work as it causes the car to shudder from time to time as it tries to select the ratio appropriate to the given situation. Fuel economy is also horrid at 6.71 km/L.
The rest of the MG5’s dynamics package feels just as perfunctory. The ride is soft and the body exhibits plenty of lean. The steering too doesn’t feel particularly agile. The bigger issue, however, is the inherent imbalance between the two ends. At times, I felt like I was a development driver tuning an undeveloped car in that I could not get the front and/or the rear to do what I wanted it to. The resulting hot mess means you never have full confidence behind the wheel whether you are maneuvering a tight parking spot, or cruising on the highway.
Ultimately, it’s the pricing where the MG5 Prestige shines. With a list price of P 888,888—damn those lucky numbers—it manages to stay afloat in a sea of lookalike and drivealike Chinese SUVs and sedans. Value aside, you have to set your bar low on everything else as it feels unfinished and unpolished in plenty of areas.
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2026 MG5 Prestige CVT |
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| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Looks elegant enough, spacious, good value for money. |
| Cons | Non-human ergonomics, uneven and lackluster dynamics, horrid fuel economy. |
| TL;DR | MG in its name probably means, "Mediocre Garages." |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2026 |
| Warranty | 5 years / 100,000 kilometers |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Sub-compact Sedan |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.5 |
| Aspiration | Normally Aspirated |
| Fuel Delivery | EFI |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I4 |
| Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) | 110 @ 6,000 |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 142 @ 4,500 |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / ~92 |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Cruise Control | Yes |
| Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) | 6.71 km/L @ 13 km/h |
| Fuel Tank Size (L) | 45 |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,607 |
| Width (mm) | 1,818 |
| Height (mm) | 1,489 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,680 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,225 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam Axle |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electronic, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires |
Maxxis Waltz MS1 205/55 R 16 V (f & r) |
| Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) | 32 all |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 4 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Rear |
| Parking Camera | Yes, Rear |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System | None |
| Other Safety Features | Tire Pressure Monitoring |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED |
| Fog Lamps | Rear, LED |
| Light Operation | Automatic |
| Wiper Operation | Variable Intermittent |
| Tailgate | Manual |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Manual, 6-way |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Manual, 4-way |
| Seating Surface | Synthetic Leather |
| 2nd Row | Folding |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | Yes |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 3.5-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes |
| Rear View Mirror | Day/Night |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Electronic Control, w/ Rear Vents |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type A USB Type C Bluetooth |
| Wireless Charger | None |
| Infotainment Display / Size | 10.25-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay Android Auto |
| # of Speakers | 6 |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
Uly, the current (or previous?) MG5, which our family has been using for 3.5 years now, has higher hp and torque figures at 112 and 150 respectively. If the power figures are down as compared to before, then it's really disappointing :(
ReplyDeleteIt's likely to a shift from Euro IV/V to a Euro VI engine.
DeleteMG even doing worse than Nissan in bringing in updated models in the country. Isn't this the 2021 Roewe i5 facelift? And there is the 2023 facelift which is even better-looking than this one.
ReplyDeleteAt least Nissan is consistent in bringing in current generation models in the middle or near the end of their current production schedule, but MG is bringing in models a few facelifts behind the current model.
That would definitely be a game-changer for the MG 5. Swapping in the Hybrid+ system from the new MG3 would transform the car from a stylish daily commuter into a legitimate "Prestige" contender in terms of performance and tech with around 900-950k pricepoint.
ReplyDeleteThat is all new model na ba ito or facelift lang?
ReplyDeleteHeavy refresh of the current MG5.
DeleteThis would probably be the last lend out review of an MG for carguide ph.
ReplyDeleteLOL. If that's the case then that's alright. At least we're just being honest.
DeleteDon’t worry MG mga readers dito dinaman Bumibili ng MG😁medyo mataas ang mga taste
DeleteAgain, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
ReplyDeleteBuyer beware!