Ok, let’s be real, the last MG5 didn’t wow anybody, but that was never the premise of the MG5 from the get-go. As a matter of fact, the MG 5 is actually the oldest vehicle in the MG Philippines lineup, and is still selling based on value alone. It probably slots below the ZS in terms of MG vehicle sales.
That said, age is catching up, and finally, MG has introduced the facelifted MG5 to help keep up with the times. We got our hands on the facelifted 2026 MG5 in its top-of-the-line Prestige guise to see if it still presents value or has been left behind.
Exterior:
This being just a facelift, there aren’t any drastic changes to the exterior of the MG5, apart from its front-end design.
The front fascia receives an all-new bumper with a different set of headlights that genuinely look more grown-up and businesslike. Admittedly, the black paint does deserve some kudos, but this time it does look to cater to younger executives who want a presentable vehicle with value.
The side profile remains the same, but the new two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels give the MG5 a classier demeanor than the pre-facelift model. The rear, while still using the same taillight housing, now has a different LED design that looks better at night. Good job, MG, in that the same parts can still be improved with better details.
Overall, MG does a great job of cleaning up the design of the MG5, with new, grown-up details that help boost its appearance compared to last time.
Interior and Technology:
Plain and simple is the name of the game with the MG5. It’s everything you need, nothing you don’t. It’s a far cry from the majority of Chinese vehicles that try to shove tech down your throat. In here, it’s simple and straightforward. A traditional twin-analog face graces your gauge cluster, with a tiny 3.5-inch TFT display for information. It’s easy to use, easy to understand, and is a better design choice than cheap calculator displays of some cheaper Chinese cars for the sake of having more “tech.” A TPMS sensor is also a welcome addition, as it is not available in other subcompact sedans or even some compact sedans in the market.
The 10.25-inch infotainment system may feel a little laggy to use, but adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via wired connection is easy and straightforward. Unfortunately, no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is available here. You have two USB-C ports. One for charging and one for data transfer, so both the driver and passenger can charge their devices simultaneously. The problem arises in the cubbyhole where you would naturally place your phone. Bigger devices can be difficult to fit and may slide around while driving. More so, if two devices are present. The central glovebox is also too shallow, reducing its utility.
While everything else in the car is basic and straightforward to use, the HVAC controls are cumbersome, with climate control settings controlled via the screen. It becomes an even bigger problem when Apple CarPlay is enabled, since the climate control button to bring up the menus is deactivated for some unknown reason, which forces you to swipe across the display just to get to the MG home page, then toggle the climate control button for adjustment. It’s fussy and unreasonable that you have to swipe across the display multiple times just to adjust your climate control to the setting you want. It’s extra steps that shouldn’t be a problem in the first place.
The real selling point of the MG5, however, is its rear passenger space. MG Philippines touts this as a compact sedan, priced like a subcompact sedan.
That holds very true the moment you sit at the rear, with great legroom, footroom, and kneeroom. It’s easy to get comfortable on long trips as a rear passenger, and it was genuinely a pleasant surprise. We just wish it had a central armrest to really complete the spacious experience. Trunk space is also a plus, beating rivals in its segment and battling compact sedans on its own, with 512L of boot capacity.
All that said, despite some updates on the inside, the platform itself is already showing its age as a past-generation MG SAIC product. Even the steering wheel is from MG vehicles of yesteryear.
Driving and Performance:
It’s not a sports sedan, that’s for sure, but the MG5 does not feel underpowered at all. The 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated DVVT engine delivers more than enough grunt, with near-class-leading 110 hp and 142 Nm of torque. Its major downside is throttle response, which can feel sluggish at times and contribute to a sort of dead-pedal feeling. We feel it’s partly down to the CVT, which also gives that textbook rubber-band feel usually present with CVTs. We can imagine a manual version of this would deliver some great fun, though, as the engine does feel quite peppy.
Cornering capabilities aren’t exactly impressive, obviously, but the wallow feeling also makes the ride a tad harsh at times, though acceptable for this category of car. Brakes, does feel sure-footed, so that’s a great improvement over the former MG5.
Highway and long-distance driving is also good. The MG5 can get up to speed decently, and remains stable at higher speeds, delivering confidence for those wanting to do road trips
Highway fuel efficiency is also a strong suit, with us averaging 16-18 km/l across a range of driving conditions. It is definitely possible to get better efficiency with a lighter foot, which obviously isn’t present with us. Those who see more heavy traffic and city driving might find themselves disappointed, though, as it could hover between 6-7 km/L, which definitely lags big time as compared to its rivals.
Verdict:
The MG5 is back and is definitely better than before. Its styling updates and the addition of features and space not found on this segment make it worth a look for those wanting a different flavor from the usual choices.
That said, compared to other MG products today, the MG5 still shows its age as a past-generation model despite the updates, so that “Prestige” variant name is definitely not prestigious.
Looking at the price, though? (P888,888) It might be a prestigious buy, given the space alone.
The post Review: 2026 MG5 Prestige – Spacious, sure, but better? appeared first on YugaAuto: Automotive News & Reviews in the Philippines.