MG IM5 information & reviews

[rgledhill]

You don't need to wait 3 months and be an Affinity member, just use www.new-car-discount.com ...

New-Car-Discount

Our best deals listed on cheap new MG MOTOR UK IM5 ELECTRIC HATCHBACK at New Car Discount. Choose your ideal model and proceed to choose specification.

www.new-car-discount.com

Not quite as cheap, but not far off:

 

[rgledhill]

Same for IM6:

 

[rgledhill]

Regarding the Top Gear review, that was for the high performance version, which comes on 20" wheels. Did I dream it or does it also have different suspension settings too?
What Car had a rather more rounded view, against the Tesla Model Y and the BYD Sealion 7:

 

[Bam Bam]

Bjorn has got hold of one for a brief initial review without any research or prep. He knows EVs.

 

[rgledhill]

Bjorn has got hold of one for a brief initial review without any research or prep. He knows EVs.

That was quick! When I asked him while watching his 1000km challenge of the Mercedes CLA 350 a few days ago, he wasn't even aware it was available in Norway yet... he does have great contacts! I shall look forward to seeing his review...

 

[Bam Bam]

That was quick! When I asked him while watching his 1000km challenge of the Mercedes CLA 350 a few days ago, he wasn't even aware it was available in Norway yet... he does have great contacts! I shall look forward to seeing his review...

I wasn't watching/listening closely but it seems that a local dealer lent him their car for a very short period.

He was saying something about a neighbour, perhaps they work for the dealer.

MG want to give it to him for longer at some point soon but he said he's pretty booked up with other cars.

 

[tsedge]

Yep, we need to wait for his proper review (and of the IM6), this is just a first impressions and he admits he knows nothing about the car as he is experiencing it. The full review and 1000km range test will be much more informative.

 

[Sloucher]

My issue with all the reviews/opinions I have seen so far is that they are all based on the performance version. Why none for the LR or standard versions which are the more likely versions to appeal to Joe Average?

 

[tsedge]

My issue with all the reviews/opinions I have seen so far is that they are all based on the performance version. Why none for the LR or standard versions which are the more likely versions to appeal to Joe Average?

The only vehicles available for reviewing have been the performance version. That should quickly change and WhatCar in particular have mentioned they are getting a RWD long range IM5 to test soon.

 

[Sloucher]

Certainly the IM5 I test drove two weeks ago was the LR version, so they are around. Probably only known reviewers getting to drive the performance version. Bring out the big guns first!

 

[MikeJS]

My issue with all the reviews/opinions I have seen so far is that they are all based on the performance version. Why none for the LR or standard versions which are the more likely versions to appeal to Joe Average?

Agree totally. Told the dealer I will not commit to buying a car until I can drive the version I want to buy.

 

[tsedge]

Certainly the IM5 I test drove two weeks ago was the LR version, so they are around. Probably only known reviewers getting to drive the performance version. Bring out the big guns first!

All the initial reviewing was based on the same pair of cars I believe. But it is all about to change.

 

[rgledhill]

Yes, the version I drove was the pleb-spec 75kWh version, for instance. I did find it a bit lethargic though and would definitely go for the 100kWh version, especially given the dramatic increase in charging speeds from the 800V architecture and the range increase. It's barely any heavier than the 75kWh version too, due to different battery chemistries (LFP in the 75kWh, NMC in the 100kWh).

 

[Sloucher]

Bit of extra info regarding OTA updates as queried by @LenEV2016 here

Extracted from the Owner's Manual:

"System Update​

Introduction​

Your car is provided with remote system upgrade and update functions, on occasion we will push the updated version of the system software to your vehicle in order to provide your car with the latest functions.​

Click "Settings > General" , you will see a small red dot in "General", which indicates an update is available.​

Note: Before upgrading, ensure that the status of the vehicle meets the preparation conditions and follow the update prompts to complete the upgrade.​

Operating Steps​

1. Click the Vehicle icon on the central screen to open the Vehicle Settings interface.​

2. In the shortcut menu, find the General interface.​

3. Click "Update", the user can then select "Install Now" or "Reserve for Installation".​

4. After the update, the user needs to leave the vehicle and lock it, and the system completes the self-test. Wait for a few minutes until the vehicle enters the sleep mode and then restart the vehicle, and the upgrade is over.​

Note: Do not charge the vehicle during upgrading. Please arrange a reasonable and suitable time for the upgrade. If you leave the car during update, the update results will be received after you restart the car.​

Precautions​

The download process of system upgrade installation package is silent. When an update is available, the upgrade package will be downloaded automatically in the background once the vehicle is started and connected to a network. If the download is not finished when the vehicle is powered off, it will resume automatically after the vehicle is started and connected to a network next time. After the installation package is downloaded, when the vehicle is parked and engaged in P gear, there will be a prompt stating an update package is available to install. Then the user can enter the Installation interface to install the package, while maintaining a normal connection to the network.​

Warning:​

During system upgrade, the upgrade must not be interrupted and the vehicle cannot be started for driving. Ensure that the vehicle is in a safe area before upgrading.​

Do not modify vehicle parts by yourself to avoid personal injury or property loss due to upgrade failure."​

 

[rgledhill]

All vehicles have to have an OTA feature now due to 2026 cybersecurity regulations, which mandate that safety-critical systems must be able to receive updates to fix any vulnerabilities. That's why so many manufacturers have brought it in over the last 5 years (we had it on our 2020 Polestar 2 and Tesla have had it for 10+ years), why the petrol/diesel Macan was binned this year (end-of-line electronics and infotainment) and why so many manufacturers are now overlaying their look and feel over Google's Android Automotive, which supports it natively.

 

[LenEV2016]

All vehicles have to have an OTA feature now due to 2026 cybersecurity regulations, which mandate that safety-critical systems must be able to receive updates to fix any vulnerabilities. That's why so many manufacturers have brought it in over the last 5 years (we had it on our 2020 Polestar 2 and Tesla have had it for 10+ years), why the petrol/diesel Macan was binned this year (end-of-line electronics and infotainment) and why so many manufacturers are now overlaying their look and feel over Google's Android Automotive, which supports it natively.

Relatives Mégane etech is Google android automotive has worked without issue coming up for 3 years, have updates for various systems as well as infotainment.
My Born has had several, all without issue. It is a major negative against the MG 4, the wife's has been a pain arguing with the dealer to get updates and then the time and hassle of having to go to the dealers.

Major plus that the IM models will get them

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

MG are taking both IM models & the Cyberster Black concept to Everything Electric Farnborough in a couple of weeks. Doesn't look like there will be test drives though.

MG to Showcase Next-Generation EVs at Everything Electric FARNBOROUGH 2025 - Everything Electric

MG Motor UK at Everything Electric FARNBOROUGH 11–12 October 2025, will unveil its latest electric innovations including the Cyberster Black design concept.

fullycharged.show

 

[dido]

What a bad tempered review! He obviously went into that "test" with an "I hate Chinese electric cars" attitude from the start! How come he's the only one to find fault with the ride quality? Sensitive backside I wonder? I want a test drive even more now!

Everytine a very competitive MG is realeased , European legacy rivals launches a propaganda to try to mitigate their losses. With the MG4 the forums were heaving with bad reviews and people saying they have returned the car back after few months and went for the eMegan. Now how many eMegans have sold in comparison with MG4. I am a proud owner of MG4 and looking up to the IM5 next.

 

[dido]

Every time a very competitive MG is released , European legacy rivals launches a propaganda to try to mitigate their losses. With the MG4 the forums were heaving with bad reviews and people saying they have returned the car back after few months and went for the eMegan. Now how many eMegans have sold in comparison with MG4. I am a proud owner of MG4 and looking up to the IM5 next.

 

[LenEV2016]

Everytine a very competitive MG is realeased , European legacy rivals launches a propaganda to try to mitigate their losses. With the MG4 the forums were heaving with bad reviews and people saying they have returned the car back after few months and went for the eMegan. Now how many eMegans have sold in comparison with MG4. I am a proud owner of MG4 and looking up to the IM5 next.

Lots of MG4s were rejected to be fair and my wife would have binned hers if it hadn't have been a company car (it was nothing but issue after issue to begin with)

The MG 4 received pretty much rave reviews of the motoring press when it was released so there wasn't an anti Chinese propaganda issue there.

It is what it is, as other members have said, it's a good value budget car.
Have other cars got a better operating system pretty much yes.

Have other cars got a better cabin pretty much yes

Are other cars more expensive, they were not so much now.

Do a lot of MG dealers and MG UK let the brand down, yes.

Is the Mégane a better car than the four, using it for example, in every way apart from how it handles (fwd) and price (it was expensive when released) id say absolutely.