The MG 5 has been treated to a facelift in China, bringing revised looks inside and out and improved tech for the small sedan.
MG released images of the updated MG 5 this week ahead of its official unveiling at the Chengdu Auto Show later this month, with Chinese deliveries of the model kicking off next month.
“It is important that we communicate transparently that there is no facelift for MG5 surfacing this year,” an MG Motor Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.
MG 5 facelift 
Current MG 5
Compared to the current MG 5 – which debuted in late 2020 but only went on sale in Australia last year – the facelifted model’s front bumper features a revised up-turned grille, a relocated badge (now sitting above the grille) and redesigned side air intakes.
The bonnet too has been redesigned, now incorporating two creases which converge at the MG badge on the bumper, while the headlights appear to adopt a new light signature.
At the rear, the tail lights now extend beyond the quarter panel and onto the boot, sitting above a restyled bumper which retains its incorporated exhaust outlets.
MG 5 facelift 
Current MG 5
Inside, the MG 5’s cabin has also been treated to an overhaul, with its existing 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch display, paired with an identically sized digital instrument cluster.
The entire dashboard has been redesigned, adopting a more traditional design compared to the angular shapes of the current model, and featuring reshaped air vents and control buttons.
There have been no change to the MG 5’s two engine options, which consist of a pair of 1.5-litre four-cylinder drivetrains: a 84kW/150Nm non-turbo mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a turbocharged unit which produces 119kW/250Nm and is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The company confirmed last December it was working on a $4 million upgrade for the MG 5, comprising both hardware and software fixes, after it received a zero-star rating from ANCAP.
“We are still on track to deliver the MG5 Safety Pack upgrade during or before Q1 (January to March), 2025. We anticipate the additional safety will bring the current rating to a higher level,” a company spokesperson said today.
These upgrades include seatbelt pre-tensioners, to help firmly secure occupants in the event of a collision, and dynamic load tensioners MG says will help manage the force exerted on seat belts during a collision.
MG will also add a “calf protection panel” to sit under the front bumper to minimise the level of injury to pedestrians in a crash.
Software upgrades will include lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and intelligent speed assist.
While the MG 5 already has autonomous emergency braking, this will be upgraded to a more sophisticated system that includes pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection with junction assist.
The MG 5 will also get an occupant monitoring feature.
It’s understood blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert will not be included, as these features aren’t available on Chinese-built MG 5 sedans, apart from the related MG 5 Scorpio.
“MG works closely with the Australian Government to ensure that our entire range meets and, in some cases, exceeds the relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for vehicle design when they are first supplied to the Australian market,” the spokesperson said.
“The MG5 was certified and approved for sale in Australia and has met the (ADR) rules to be sold. The current MG5 is offered to the Australian market as an affordable car in the sedan segment.
“Theses planned enhancements for the MG5 will reiterate our commitment to customers and ensure further passenger safety with a much more advanced ADAS systems including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Speed Assist systems, Lane Assist systems and Pedestrian Protection safety systems as seen in some of our other models.”
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