Head-to-head
MG IM5 vs MG MGS5 EV
At $40,490 the MG MGS5 EV undercuts the MG IM5 by $20,500 (34%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Sedan
MG IM5
MG's premium IM sub-brand launches in Australia with the IM5 sedan — a Tesla Model 3 rival with 75 kWh and 100 kWh battery options, 655 km WLTP range, and sub-5-second 0-100 in dual-motor trim.
- From
- $60,990
- Range
- 655 km
- Battery
- 75 kWh
Option B · SUV
MG MGS5 EV
MG's replacement for the older ZS EV — a small SUV with 64 kWh battery, 420 km WLTP range and 110 kW DC charging. The MGS5 lifts MG's small SUV game considerably.
- From
- $40,490
- Range
- 420 km
- Battery
- 64 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the MG IM5 and MG MGS5 EV, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage MG IM5
The MG IM5 goes 235 km further on a charge (655 vs 420 km WLTP).
- 2
Power · advantage MG IM5
The MG IM5 puts down 120 kW more (250 vs 130 kW).
- 3
Price · advantage MG MGS5 EV
The MG MGS5 EV undercuts the MG IM5 by $20,500 (34%) on starting price.
- 4
Battery · advantage MG IM5
The MG IM5 carries a 11.0 kWh larger battery (75 vs 64 kWh).
- 5
DC charging · advantage MG IM5
The MG IM5 accepts 43 kW more DC peak charging (153 vs 110 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the MG IM5 wins
- ▸ 235 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (4.9s vs 7.5s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (153 kW vs 110 kW)
Where the MG MGS5 EV wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $20,500
- ▸ Longer warranty (7 years)
MG IM5
What we like
- ✓ Class-leading 655 km WLTP range
- ✓ 10-year battery warranty
- ✓ Genuinely quick (sub-5s 0-100)
What we don't
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP tested
- ✕ MG dealer network thin on premium product
- ✕ Software UX inherited from China market
MG MGS5 EV
What we like
- ✓ 7-year vehicle warranty (extendable)
- ✓ Strong DC charging peak for the segment
- ✓ Genuine improvement over old ZS EV
What we don't
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP tested
- ✕ AC charging at 7 kW only (single-phase)
- ✕ Cabin materials clearly cost-engineered
Frequently asked: MG IM5 vs MG MGS5 EV
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the MG IM5 or the MG MGS5 EV?
- The MG MGS5 EV is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $40,490 versus $60,990 for the MG IM5, a $20,500 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The MG IM5 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 655 km, 235 km further than the MG MGS5 EV's 420 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The MG IM5 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 153 kW versus 110 kW for the MG MGS5 EV. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The MG IM5 does 0–100 km/h in 4.9 seconds — 2.6 s quicker than the MG MGS5 EV's 7.5 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the MG MGS5 EV better value than the MG IM5?
- On paper the MG MGS5 EV is $20,500 cheaper, but trails the MG IM5 on the core measurable specs. The saving might still be worth it if you don't need the extra range, power or charging speed — but the MG IM5 is the spec-sheet winner.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
MG IM5
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (235 km further per charge)
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ you match the profile: tesla model 3 cross-shoppers
Choose the
MG MGS5 EV
if…
- ✓ you want to save $20,500 on the sticker
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (2 more years of cover)
- ✓ you match the profile: suburban families
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.