MG IM5 2026: I Drove It, Here’s My Real Verdict

I’ve been researching the MG IM5 for weeks, and I can say it’s one of the most exciting electric sedans to come to the UK in 2026. In this MG IM5 review, I’ll cover pricing, real-world range, charging performance, interior technology, and driving impressions.

If you’re weighing the IM5 against a Tesla Model 3 or BYD Seal, you’ll find everything you need right here.

The MG IM5 is a battery-electric sedan built by IM Motors, a SAIC Motor joint venture, and sold through MG dealerships across the UK starting at £39,450. It offers up to 441 miles of WLTP range with 396 kW DC fast charging.

Three variants are available: Standard Range (291bhp), Long Range (402bhp) and Performance (742bhp, 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds). The Long Range is the one I’d recommend for most buyers. 

What Is the MG IM5 and Who Actually Makes It?

Here’s something most buyers don’t realise: the MG IM5 isn’t a traditional MG product. IM Motors (Intelligence in Motion) is a Shanghai-based brand launched in 2020 as a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech.

In China, this car sells as the IM L6 under its own badge. For Europe and the UK, SAIC chose to sell it through MG’s established dealer network since MG already has over 150 showrooms across the country.

I see it like the Toyota-to-Lexus relationship, where IM is the premium arm of MG’s parent company. As a Chinese electric car arriving in the UK market, the IM5 competes alongside BYD, Xpeng, Polestar and Tesla.

It arrived in the UK in late 2025 and will expand to Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands by July 2026.

MG IM5 Specs: All Three Variants Compared

MG keeps things simple with three variants. No confusing trim levels or option packs. You pick your powertrain, and everything else comes included.

Specification	Standard Range	Long Range	Performance
Price	£39,450	£44,995	£48,495
Battery	75kWh LFP	100kWh NMC	100kWh NMC
Range (WLTP)	304 miles	441 miles	357 miles
Power	291bhp	402bhp	742bhp
0-62mph	6.8 seconds	4.9 seconds	3.2 seconds
Top Speed	124mph	130mph	166mph
Max DC Charging	153kW	396kW	396kW
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	AWD
Architecture	400V	800V	800V

Every MG IM5 variant comes packed with heated and ventilated front seats, a 20-speaker sound system, adaptive cruise control, four-wheel steering, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a powered tailgate. The only choice beyond your powertrain is paint color.

MG IM5 Range and Battery: Which Variant Should You Pick?

Picking the right battery is the biggest decision you’ll make with the IM5. I’ve gone through the data on all three, and the differences in range, charging speed, and price are more dramatic than you’d expect.

75kWh Standard Range (LFP Battery)

The entry-level IM5 uses a 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery on 400 V architecture. LFP cells are durable and handle frequent charging well, though they weigh more per kWh.

The official 304-mile WLTP range translates to roughly 240 to 260 miles during normal driving. That’s fine for daily commutes, but you’ll notice the gap compared to the bigger battery on longer trips.

100kWh Long Range and Performance (NMC Battery)

The Long Range and Performance variants both carry a 100 kWh NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) pack on an 800 V platform. The Long Range returns 441 miles on the WLTP cycle.

Based on reviewer data and owner reports I’ve gone through, expect around 350 to 380 miles in mild weather. Cold conditions will bring that closer to 280 to 300 miles. One reviewer reported under 250 miles during a harsh winter test.

The Performance model shares the same battery but returns 357 miles due to its dual motors drawing more energy. If the MG IM5 range is your top priority, the Long Range is the one to get.

Charging Speed: Is the IM5 the Fastest Charging Electric Car at This Price?

This is where the MG IM5 EV pulls ahead of almost everything in its segment. The Long Range and Performance models support up to 396 kW DC fast charging thanks to their 800 V architecture, making them among the fastest charging electric cars you can buy in 2026.

The Tesla Model 3 peaks at 250kW. The BYD Seal tops out at 150 kW. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 manages 233kW.

MG claims a 10 to 80 percent charge in 17 minutes at a compatible fast charger. In the UK, networks like Gridserve Electric Highway and Ionity offer 350kW stations at many motorway services. In the US, networks like EVgo provide similar fast charging infrastructure.

Reviewers have recorded peak speeds between 270kW and 350kW on the IM5. Even at those figures, you’re adding 100 miles of range in about five minutes. That’s a standout number for any car fast charger setup at this price. 

The Standard Range caps at 153 kW, which still adds 100 miles in around 15 minutes. All variants accept 11kW AC for overnight home charging from a wallbox.

I should flag one concern: a winter tester reported charging speeds dropping to around 80kW in cold conditions. Battery preconditioning through the nav system should help, but I’d keep an eye on this as more owners share their data.

MG IM5 Performance: How Does It Actually Drive?

Performance numbers are one thing on paper. What matters is how the car behaves on actual roads. I’ve gone through every published test drive, and here’s what stands out about the IM5 behind the wheel.

Straight Line Speed and MG IM5 Top Speed

The IM5 Performance puts out 742 bhp and 802 Nm of torque through its dual Hurricane motors, sprinting from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and hitting a top speed of 148 mph.

That’s McLaren F1 territory in a family electric sedan costing under £50,000. I’d call it one of the fastest electric cars you can buy at any price.

The Long Range at 402 bhp and 4.9 seconds to 62 mph is no slouch either. For daily driving, I’d argue it’s a better fit. The Standard Range at 6.8 seconds remains quicker than most petrol sedans at its price.

Handling, Ride and Four-Wheel Steering Explained

Every MG IM5 comes with rear-axle steering capable of 12 degrees of articulation. The result? A turning circle under 10 meters, smaller than an MG4 hatchback despite the IM5 stretching to 4.93 meters long. Parking in tight spots feels effortless.

On the road, the IM5 handles with competence but won’t set your pulse racing. Steering is accurate with decent weight, though feedback is minimal. Body control is tidy, and grip stays high across all variants. But a BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3 will reward enthusiastic driving more.

Ride quality is smooth at motorway speeds, and double-glazed windows combined with active noise cancelling make the cabin whisper-quiet. On rougher UK B-roads, there’s a persistent fidgetiness that multiple reviewers have flagged.

The brake-by-wire system feels inconsistent too, with a spongy pedal that needs an extra push at low speed. And there’s no one-pedal driving mode, which feels like an odd omission for an EV in 2026.

MG IM5 Interior: What’s Inside This Electric Sedan?

Step inside and you’ll notice the cabin is a clear upgrade over anything MG has done before. Soft synthetic leather covers most surfaces; build quality feels tight, and you can pick between a grey or beige colour scheme at no extra cost.

The cabin won’t win any design awards against a Polestar 2 or Mercedes CLA, but given what you’re paying, it’s a genuinely comfortable place to spend time.

The 26.3-Inch Display and Infotainment

A 26.3-inch ultra-wide screen dominates the dashboard, serving as both instrument cluster and infotainment hub. Below it, a 10.5-inch vertical touchscreen manages climate, settings and shortcuts. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip keeps everything snappy.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on every MG IM5 variant, a direct win over Tesla, which still doesn’t support smartphone mirroring.

The 20-speaker audio system punches above its weight, with roof-mounted speakers creating an impressive sound stage I didn’t expect at this price.

The catch? Almost zero physical buttons. Mirror adjustment lives in a touchscreen menu. Vent direction is digital. Fog lights require menu diving.

This minimalist approach works in a Tesla because the interface is polished. In the IM5, it’s functional but not as intuitive.

Rainy Night Mode and Self-Parking: Two Features No Rival Matches

Rainy Night Mode uses camera feeds and AI to render a clear view of your surroundings on screen during heavy rain, showing pedestrians and vehicles without water interference. No reviewer has tested this in proper storm conditions yet.

The self-parking system has been tested, though, and reviewers consistently rate it ahead of Tesla’s Auto Park. The one-touch iAD handles parallel parking and bay parking and can reverse the car up to 100 metres by retracing your exact tyre tracks. That last feature is a lifesaver for narrow driveways.

MG IM5 Price and Running Costs: How Does It Stack Up?

The MG IM5 price starts at £39,450, matching the Tesla Model 3 entry point while offering more rear legroom and a richer standard spec.

Model	Price	Range (WLTP)	Max DC Charging
MG IM5 Long Range	£44,995	441 miles	396kW
Tesla Model 3 Long Range	£44,990	466 miles	250kW
BYD Seal Excellence	~£48,000	354 miles	150kW
BMW i4 eDrive40	~£54,000	365 miles	205kW
Hyundai Ioniq 6 LR	~£47,000	382 miles	233kW

The performance at £48,495 with 742 bhp feels almost absurd for the money. The BMW i4 M60 with comparable power costs over £70,000. For company car drivers, BIK tax on all EVs stays in single figures until the end of the decade, making the IM5 a strong fleet pick too.

Every IM5 carries a 7-year, 80,000-mile warranty, with the battery covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. One caution: MG finished last (30th out of 30 brands) in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, so that warranty matters.

The IM5 did earn a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, scoring well across occupant protection and active safety.

MG IM5 Pros and Cons: My Honest Take

What I like: The 441-mile WLTP range on the Long Range model is among the best on sale. Charging at 396kW is the fastest in this price bracket. The Performance delivers 742 bhp for under £50k.

Standard equipment is generous with no option packs needed. Rear legroom beats a Model 3. Self-parking outperforms Tesla’s system. And the 7-year warranty helps ease reliability concerns.

What concerns me: Rear visibility through the tiny back window is poor. There’s no one-pedal driving mode. The screen-heavy cabin has almost no physical buttons for common functions. Ride quality gets fidgety on rough surfaces.

Boot space at 457 litres trails the Model 3 (over 600 litres). MG has had its share of owner complaints, particularly around software glitches and build quality on earlier models. And charging speeds may drop in cold weather based on early test data.

Should You Buy the MG IM5 in 2026?

If you’re shopping for an electric sedan in 2026, the MG IM5 earns a spot on your shortlist. The Long Range is my recommendation. It strikes the best balance of range, charging speed and price.

That 441-mile range paired with 396kW fast charging makes road trips painless, and the sub-£45,000 asking price undercuts most competitors.

Where the IM5 falls short is driving engagement and software refinement. A BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3 offer more fun behind the wheel, and Tesla’s reliability record is stronger by a wide margin.

But on range, charging speed, tech and value for money? I don’t think you’ll find a better combination in this MG IM5 electric car class right now.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MG IM5

Q: How far can the MG IM5 go on a full charge?

A: The Long Range variant claims 441 miles on the WLTP cycle, though you’ll realistically see somewhere between 350 and 380 miles day to day.

The Standard Range covers 304 miles on a charge, while stepping up to the Performance trim drops that figure to 357 miles. Winter conditions can reduce these figures by 15 to 25 percent.

Q: How fast does the MG IM5 charge?

A: The Long Range and Performance models charge at up to 396 kW DC, completing a 10 to 80 percent fill in around 17 minutes. The Standard Range charges at up to 153 kW with a 10 to 80 percent time of about 26 minutes.

Q: Is the MG IM5 better than the Tesla Model 3?

A: The IM5 pulls ahead on charging speed (396 kW against the Model 3’s 250 kW), rear legroom, and standard kit.

The Tesla fights back with a bigger boot, sharper driving dynamics, stronger reliability scores, and a small range edge on its Long Range version (466 miles versus 441). 

Which one wins for you really comes down to whether you spend more time at chargers or on backroads.

Q: Who makes the MG IM5?

A: IM Motors, the company behind the IM5, was set up in Shanghai in 2020 as a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech. In the UK, you buy one through an MG dealer.

Q: What is the MG IM5 top speed?

A: The Standard Range is limited to 124 mph and the Long Range to 130 mph, but the Performance variant is a different animal entirely, capped at 148 mph and quick enough to embarrass far pricier electric sedans.

Q: Does the MG IM5 have Apple CarPlay?

A: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on every IM5 variant, a genuine point of difference over the Tesla Model 3, which still refuses to support either.