MG IM5 information & reviews

[Vidal]

Model 3 LR won the vote, bit strange that they used the IM5 performance, the LR would have been fairer in terms of the efficiency/range part of the test. Albeit the Tesla scored highly in every metric.
The performance only managed 2.5 miles per kwh

It just shows the poor standard of car journalism - 'The IM5 isn't as economic as the Model 3'

Hardly surprising considering it's on 20" wheels, it's got performance tyres and is dual motor.

 

[LenEV2016]

I did mention that when I posted the link but it's disappointing to hear about the charging speeds also, as they said they tried at varying states of charge and averaged quite low numbers

 

[pvrima]

I did mention that when I posted the link but it's disappointing to hear about the charging speeds also, as they said the tried at varying states of charge and averaged quite low numbers

Indeed! I have to say while I’m not too impressed with the efficiency of my IM5-LR and the charging history/info software needs an update to enable a decent understand of it’s performance, the charging speeds have impressed me. I regularly see >250kW and on sloe 75kW chargers it holds the max rate upto at least 90% charge (where I stop).

 

[tsedge]

Model 3 LR won the vote, bit strange that they used the IM5 performance, the LR would have been fairer in terms of the efficiency/range part of the test. Albeit the Tesla scored highly in every metric.
The performance only managed 2.5 miles per kwh

Yes, I thought that was strange. As was charging on 400V, which doesn't favour the IM5 at all.

Wasn't surprised at their conclusion: comparing a car from a long-established manufacturer that has been improved over 7+ years against a debut car from a new maker - I would hope that the result would go that way.

Shock horror, the car that's been around for ages is cheaper to buy than the one that people are still waiting to receive!

But I still don't want the Tesla. There's something about the IM5 that really appeals to me. And I can live with the lack of efficiency.

 

[Vidal]

Yes, I thought that was strange. As was charging on 400V, which doesn't favour the IM5 at all.

On the plus side at least the IM can charge on 400v, with the Merc you can't at the moment and if you want to in the future you have to pay extra.

 

[NikLiverpool]

It just shows the poor standard of car journalism - 'The IM5 isn't as economic as the Model 3'

Hardly surprising considering it's on 20" wheels, it's got performance tyres and is dual motor.

Seriously; did they compare the Rear wheel Tesla and Mercedes with the AWD of IM5???
I understand that MG could not give them the LR but then what is the point of comparing?

As for the charging speed; or lack of it for the IM, Bjorn has raised a similar concern when he was testing the IM5; something that he did not notice with the IM6. I wonder why.

 

[tsedge]

Seriously; did they compare the Rear wheel Tesla and Mercedes with the AWD of IM5???
I understand that MG could not give them the LR but then what is the point of comparing?

They did mention it would have been closer but still not changed the result in their view.

I guess they have content to make and they didn't want to wait to do an apples-to-apples comparison. At least they pointed it out.

As for the charging speed; or lack of it for the IM, Bjorn has raised a similar concern when he was testing the IM5; something that he did not notice with the IM6. I wonder why.

Yes, now that is true. I wonder if that's a software thing as others have suggested.

 

[Vidal]

They did mention it would have been closer but still not changed the result in their view.

I guess they have content to make and they didn't want to wait to do an apples-to-apples comparison. At least they pointed it out.

Yes, now that is true. I wonder if that's a software thing as others have suggested.

I've noticed in the past that they're very pro Tesla. I doubt getting the right car would have made much difference the Tesla will always win given they rate efficiency as the be all and end all for EVs.

Most people won't care about efficiency, with a range of 440+ miles on the LR it'll be rare that people will charge away from home. The difference between 1.5p per mile and 2.5p per mile certainly won't cause me sleepless nights.

 

[LenEV2016]

I've noticed in the past that they're very pro Tesla. I doubt getting the right car would have made much difference the Tesla will always win given they rate efficiency as the be all and end all for EVs.

Most people won't care about efficiency, with a range of 440+ miles on the LR it'll be rare that people will charge away from home. The difference between 1.5p per mile and 2.5p per mile certainly won't cause me sleepless nights.

The big thing will be how close it gets to the 440 miles, the performance would only get 250 on their test, so will be interesting to compare the long range figures.
Im not surprised the Tesla won, it's fast, efficient the ride on the highland is very much improved and software is mature and works well.

 

[Bam Bam]

The reviews here seemed fair, though the IM5 didn't come out very well.

• Larger car but less space for luggage
• Bigger battery but shorter range (and much higher cost to run) due to relative inefficiency

Those aren't dealbreakers, as some have noted, and it did have some plusses like crazy acceleration if you like that kind of thing.

Bit shocked by the limited charging capabilities of the Merc, that would be a worry, and would probably push me to choose the IM5 if I had to choose between the two.

The thing is there are other options too like the EV6, Ioniq6, ID7, etc. I'd probably look at the Korean options as they seem to know what they are doing with EVs.

 

[tsedge]

The real comparison needs to be in a year's time:

• with an IM5 LR
• after enough time for prices to drop and deals to appear
• after software updates to make improvements

Given that this is IM's very first offering, it has come awfully close to doing really well, which is encouraging. I would expect their second generation cars to be very competitive.

 

[LenEV2016]

The real comparison needs to be in a year's time:

• with an IM5 LR
• after enough time for prices to drop and deals to appear
• after software updates to make improvements

Given that this is IM's very first offering, it has come awfully close to doing really well, which is encouraging. I would expect their second generation cars to be very competitive.

I agree the only thing I would say is these are not brand new to the market models like the MG4 was when it was launched.
They have been out a while in china

 

[MSvirus]

The thing is there are other options too like the EV6, Ioniq6, ID7, etc. I'd probably look at the Korean options as they seem to know what they are doing with EVs.

What the koreans don't seem to know anything about is making a converter (ICCU) and 12V charging systems, as those cars has died multiple times for several years.

 

[MSvirus]

I agree the only thing I would say is these are not brand new to the market models like the MG4 was when it was launched.
They have been out a while in china

I'm guessing the software is very different, and we have to betatest the IM6 type. This is normal for many brands now. Well tested software is usually software that is made years ago. Bugs are out, but it is also outdated by then.

 

[tsedge]

I agree the only thing I would say is these are not brand new to the market models like the MG4 was when it was launched.
They have been out a while in china

Pricing depends on how long it has been available in the local market and the software is different to the China cars.

 

[tsedge]

What the koreans don't seem to know anything about is making a converter (ICCU) and 12V charging systems, as those cars has died multiple times for several years.

Is this still true now?

First I'd have thought these kinds of components would come from 3rd parties - when I had my MG4's CCU replaced, it had to come from another supplier, which was partly why I had to wait for ages.

Then, I'd have thought they would have solved the underlying issue after a while.

 

[Vidal]

The more I think about that Autocar review the more ridiculous I think it is. Given those cars have the sort of range that would mean most people would rarely charge away from home the whole efficiency thing is a bit of a red herring.

The difference between charging the Tesla and the IM5, even at 2.5 mi/kWh, for 10,000 is less than £100 if you assume a cheap rate overnight tariff is used. But the whole road test seems to hang on efficiency rather than other facts about the cars.

The Tesla also won the tech 'round' despite the fact that it doesn't park itself, change lane or have apple carplay or android auto. Plus they failed to mention the fact that because of the three screen setup you can have Apple Car play running on the top screen whilst still being able to operate the car settings on the other. Plus no driver's display on the Tesla.

Also the boot size on the IM5 is limited by the fact that the car has a more shapely rear, which looks far better than the ugly duckling Teslas which is a saloon not a hatchback so less practical.

I would mention the longer warranty on the IM but given all the exclusions I think overall the Tesla's is better.

 

[tsedge]

That's a good point about the tech.

I think they meant the tech was more polished in the Tesla, but the IM also has:

• Four wheel steering
• Crab mode
• Reverse path replication for 100+ metres
• Anti-bounce on stopping
• Rain mode enhanced displays

As well as what you mention, so arguably it has more or better tech depending on how you count it.

The range/efficiency debate is all going to depend on your priorities and availability of home charging.

For some, perhaps many, it will not be an issue.

I think a lot of people coming from ICE though will see range and efficiency as a bigger priority, because of their fears about range anxiety.

 

[Vidal]

I think a lot of people coming from ICE though will see range and efficiency as a bigger priority, because of their fears about range anxiety.

Which is goes back to the point about getting the LR not the Performance.

 

[MikeJS]

Is this still true now?

Yes, even on the new ones being sold now. It is the reason I am getting rid of my Ioniq 5.