MG IM5

Model Overview

The MG IM5 is a premium all-electric D-segment four-door fastback coupe introduced by SAIC Motor under the MG marque, badged and retailed globally as the MG IM5. Known natively in China as the IM L6, it serves as the spearhead export model rebadged for overseas markets by SAIC's luxury IM Motors division under the newly established IM (Intelligence in Motion) high-end EV sub-brand portfolio. The IM5 made its global premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK in July 2025, with order books opening across several European markets that same month. Customer deliveries officially commenced in September 2025 before rolling out into Australia, Thailand, and other key regions. As of May 2026, the IM5 is offered in the UK across three variants—Standard Range (75 kWh) starting from RM228,810 (£39,450), Long Range (100 kWh) priced at RM260,971 (£44,995), and Performance (100 kWh) at RM281,271 (£48,495); in Australia, the Premium variant retails between RM182,970 and RM198,471 (AUD 60,990–66,157), while the Performance variant is tagged from RM242,970 to RM252,021 (AUD 80,990–84,007). Dimensions measure 4,931 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,474 mm tall, with a generous 2,950 mm wheelbase. Configured as a five-door, five-seater fastback, it features a 457-litre boot (expandable to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded down) and an 18-litre front trunk (frunk). As a cornerstone of SAIC Motor's global expansion, the MG IM5 flanks its platform-mate, the IM6 SUV, to anchor the IM lineup, targeting the premium electric sedan segment across Europe, Australasia, and Southeast Asia, going head-to-head against established mid-size electric contenders like the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, Polestar 2, BMW i4, Hyundai IONIQ 6, and Kia EV4.

Design Language

Visually, the MG IM5 retains the sleek design language of the IM L6, co-developed by IM Motors and MG to deliver an unmistakable four-door coupe silhouette. Up front, it features an ultra-low nose where distinctive L-shaped LED daytime running lights blend into a trapezoidal lower intake, flanked by sculpted aerodynamic side air ducts designed to smooth out airflow. In profile, the swept-back roofline integrates seamlessly with flush pop-out door handles, yielding an exceptional drag coefficient of just 0.226 Cd for enhanced energy efficiency. The rear is dominated by a full-width LED light bar complemented by an integrated upswept ducktail spoiler and an aggressive rear diffuser that accentuates its athletic stance. The sole exterior differentiation from the domestic Chinese IM L6 is the tailgate badging, where the right-hand 'IM5' and left-hand 'MG' emblems replace the original IM lettering. Its low-slung, elongated footprint makes the IM5 roughly 21 cm longer than segment benchmarks like the Tesla Model 3, nudging its proportions closer to the executive class above.

Inside, the IM5 embraces a "tech luxury" cabin concept, lined generously with soft-touch materials that offer a plush tactile feel. The dark grey interior scheme is offset by textured ribbed inserts, creating a clean yet sophisticated ambience. Taking centre stage is a massive 26.3-inch ultra-wide floating dual-screen display spanning across the dashboard—serving as the digital driver's binnacle on the right and housing the primary infotainment and navigation interface on the left. Below this sits a dedicated 10.5-inch lower touchscreen on the centre stack for HVAC controls and vehicle settings, virtually replacing all conventional physical switchgear. Acoustic double-glazed glass across all four side windows and a full panoramic glass roof come standard, significantly reducing NVH levels while creating an airy cabin atmosphere. Compared to the Chinese domestic IM L6, the overseas-spec IM5 streamlines the front passenger entertainment screen in favour of a cleaner, minimalist digital setup. The seats offer substantial lateral bolstering, and thanks to the 2,950 mm wheelbase, rear passengers enjoy ample legroom alongside commendable headroom despite the sloping roofline.

Powertrain and Performance

Underpinned by an 800V high-voltage electrical architecture (with the base Standard Range variant utilising a 400V system), the MG IM5 offers three distinct powertrain options and two battery capacities to suit varied requirements from daily urban commutes to high-performance motoring:

• Standard Range (75 kWh RWD) : Driven by a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor rated at 217 kW (approx. 291–295 hp) and 332–450 Nm of torque. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, delivering a WLTP combined range of 304 miles (approx. 490 km). This variant is fitted with a 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack on a 400V electrical architecture.

• Long Range (100 kWh RWD) : Powered by a rear single motor (rated between 300 kW and 401 hp depending on regional market specifications), dispatching the 0–100 km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds with a maximum WLTP range of up to 441 miles (approx. 710 km). It pairs an 800V high-voltage architecture with a 100 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) ternary lithium battery pack and SAIC's next-generation "Hurricane" high-output electric motor.

• Performance (100 kWh AWD) : Employs a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup delivering a blistering combined output of 553 kW (approx. 742–767 hp) and 591–801 Nm of torque. The century sprint is dispatched in just 3.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 166 mph (approx. 267 km/h), with a WLTP range of 357 miles (approx. 575 km). Backed by the 100 kWh ternary lithium battery on the 800V platform, the dual-motor configuration ensures devastating straight-line punch matched with all-weather traction.

On the charging front, the IM5's 800V architecture accommodates DC fast charging rates of up to 396 kW (maxing out at 400 kW on the Performance variant), enabling a 10% to 80% state of charge (SoC) replenishment in just 17 minutes, with the WLTP Long Range variant offering an impressive 710 km on a full charge. Average energy consumption ranges between 14 and 18 kWh per 100 km depending on spec. In Thailand, the MG IM5 Long Range boasts an NEDC-rated range of up to 860 km, cementing its credentials as an endurance-focused grand tourer.

Ride and Handling

A standout technical highlight fitted as standard across the IM5 range is its rear-wheel steering system (all-wheel steering), which trims the turning circle to less than 10 metres. This grants the nearly 5-metre-long fastback nimble manoeuvrability in tight multi-storey car parks and narrow urban streets. The flagship Performance variant adds adaptive air suspension, which continuously modulates damping rates and ride height based on road topography and drive modes—dropping the chassis at high cruising speeds for lower aerodynamic drag and lifting it on uneven tarmac for plush compliance. Under the skin, the chassis features a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension arrangement. The multi-link rear setup enhances bump absorption and cornering stability, working in tandem with the low-slung floor-mounted battery pack to deliver composed high-speed road manners.

Out on the open road, the IM5 delivers exceptional refinement and cabin isolation at highway speeds, with active noise cancellation and double-glazed windows effectively filtering out wind noise and tyre roar. However, several road tests note that while its straight-line acceleration is explosive, the electric power steering is tuned on the lighter side with somewhat muted road feedback, leaving enthusiastic drivers yearning for sharper chassis communication along demanding B-roads. The air suspension tuning over pronounced undulations can also feel slightly floaty rather than tied down, reflecting a chassis setup deliberately biased towards long-distance cruising comfort and high-speed stability.

Interior and Features

The IM5's digital cockpit is anchored by the 26.3-inch panoramic display alongside the 10.5-inch central console screen, with the infotainment suite offering standard Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, 4G LTE telematics, over-the-air (OTA) software updates, and an intelligent parking camera suite. UK-market units come fully kitted with a 360-degree surround-view monitor, transparent underfloor view, and adaptive cruise control, while higher-spec trims gain Road Noise Cancellation (RNC) active road noise suppression and a 50W ventilated wireless charging pad. Audiophiles are treated to a 20-speaker premium audio system, configured in select markets with a 7.1.4 Spatial Audio setup for an enveloping acoustic experience. Cabin comfort is well catered for, boasting powered front seats with memory, heating, and ventilation (on higher variants), alongside heated rear seats and a heated multi-function steering wheel. Practical storage solutions include twin wireless charging bays, central cup holders, and a deep glovebox. A full panoramic glass roof is standard across the board, with an optional sunblind, complemented by a 457-litre boot that expands to 1,290 litres with the split-folding rear seats down, topped off by an 18-litre front frunk.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The IM5 has earned top marks in rigorous international crash safety evaluations, securing the coveted China C-NCAP 5-star rating and the prestigious Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating. During Euro NCAP assessments, it posted stellar scores across adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road users (VRU), and safety assist categories. The Thai-spec MG IM5 Long Range also carries dual 5-star ratings from both bodies. The chassis employs a high-tensile steel-aluminium hybrid safety cell reinforced with hot-stamped boron steel at key load-bearing sections, equipped standard with dual front airbags, front side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. The high-voltage battery module is sealed to IP67 dust and water resistance standards and features an automatic pyrotechnic high-voltage disconnect in the event of a collision.

Active safety is comprehensively covered by a full Level 2+ Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite. Key safety gear includes: Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) featuring pedestrian, vehicle, and cyclist detection, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking (RCTA-B), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), and Driver Monitoring System (DMS). For urban ease, the IM5 features intelligent automated parking via "One Touch iAD" alongside "One Touch Reverse" track-back assist, effortlessly negotiating tight parallel bays or tricky cul-de-sacs. Lifestyle features like Rainy Night Mode and Pet Mode also come standard. Unlike the domestic Chinese IM L6, global IM5 variants forgo roof-mounted LiDAR sensors and Urban Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) functionality to better suit regional market regulatory frameworks and road infrastructures.

Market Performance and Reception

Since its introduction, the MG IM5 has steadily gained traction across primary global export markets. Making its initial bow at Goodwood in July 2025 before hitting UK showrooms in September, the fastback represents one of the most premium and technologically advanced offerings ever fielded under the MG badge, targeting established players like the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai IONIQ 6, and BYD Seal. Strategically, the base Standard Range variant's RM228,810 (£39,450) sticker price cleanly undercuts the UK's £40,000 threshold for the expensive car supplement tax, while the Long Range and Performance variants are priced aggressively right in the crosshairs of the Tesla Model 3. In Australia, where it arrived from June 2025 onwards, the Performance variant is pegged at RM248,970 to RM254,970 (AUD 82,990–84,990), placing it directly against the Tesla Model 3 Performance. In Southeast Asia, the MG IM5 Long Range debuted at the 2026 Bangkok International Motor Show tagged at RM185,000 (THB 1,449,900 / approx. RM306,000 based on initial conversion rates), bundled with show-exclusive packages and a lifetime EV drive component (battery, motor, inverter) warranty, strengthening MG's foothold in the regional luxury EV market. Pending final local ANCAP crash safety results, the IM5 continues to build solid market credibility through its Euro NCAP 5-star accolade and generous interior space.

From a motoring media perspective, while the MG IM5 may not deliver the sheer dynamic sharpness of bespoke European sports sedans, it earns high praise for its touring refinement, whisper-quiet NVH, cabin commodiousness, generous kit count, compelling value, and blisteringly fast charging capability. Renowned UK publication Autocar praised the IM5 for delivering segment-above dimensions and a genuine 700 km range around the £40,000 mark. Australia's Drive lauded the IM5 Performance as an "immensely satisfying electric rocket," highlighting its neck-snapping acceleration and high-spec standard equipment. On the flip side, Auto Express and CarGurus observed that the suspension could feel slightly unsettled over patchy tarmac, the dual-screen infotainment menus have a slight learning curve, and the active driver assist chimes can be overly intrusive. Nevertheless, as the strategic flagship representing SAIC's premium IM brand under the MG banner, the MG IM5—armed with an 800V high-voltage platform, ultra-fast charging, all-wheel steering, and air suspension—stands out as one of the most formidable Chinese electric fastbacks on the global stage.