2024 MG 5 price and specs: Order books open for Australia’s cheapest small sedan

The 2024 MG 5 small sedan’s Australian pricing has been locked in, with the Chinese car-maker’s Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 rival due in local showrooms next month.

Revealed more than two years ago in late 2020, the MG 5 is the company’s first model to take on Australia’s small-car segment since the MG 6 was dropped in 2017 – going up against popular competitors from Japan and South Korea.

Available across two grades, the MG 5 is priced from $24,990 drive-away in its entry-level ‘Vibe’ variant, while the top-of-the-range ‘Essence’ starts at $28,990 drive-away nationwide – becoming Australia’s cheapest sedan by undercutting the Mazda 2 (from $27,697 drive-away).

MG has shared few details regarding the MG 5’s standard equipment, though known features on the ‘Vibe’ variant include a 10-inch centre touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a semi-digital instrument cluster, four-speaker sound system, synthetic leather seats and 17-inch wheels.

Stepping up to the MG 5 Essence adds a six-speaker sound system, 360-degree camera, a synthetic leather-upholstered steering wheel and a sunroof.

A choice of six colours are available across the two variants – Dover White, Royal Yellow, Diamond Red, Misty Grey, Black Pearl, and Brixton Blue.

Both grades claim 401 litres of boot space with the back seats up – smaller than its closest sedan competitors such as the Mazda 2 (440L), Hyundai i30 (474L), Kia Cerato (502L) and Toyota Corolla (470L).

The biggest difference between the MG 5’s two variants are the engines on offer.

The MG 5 Vibe is powered by a non-turbocharged, 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing up to 84kW and 150Nm – driving the front wheels through a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The MG 5 Essence retains the same base engine but with the addition of a turbocharger, increasing its outputs to 119kW and 250Nm, which is delivered to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

MG claims the Vibe returns a combined fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km, while the Essence drinks slightly more, with a quoted 5.9L/100km figure.

As with the rest of MG’s petrol-powered model range in Australia, the MG 5 is covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Order books for the 2024 MG 5 are now open, with the first showroom arrivals due before the end of July 2024.

Note: All prices above are drive-away.