MG IM5 Performance AWD Review
Posted by Shazhad Sheikh | Oct 3, 2026 | Articles, Electric Cars, Road Test, Brown Car Guy
MG IM5 Performance AWD Review: Porsche Pace for Half the Price? The new MG IM5 Performance AWD is one of the most surprising cars I’ve driven this year. Not because it’s electric. Not because it’s Chinese. Not even because it’s packed with technology. No, the real surprise is that this MG produces a staggering 742bhp, hits 62mph in just 3.2 seconds and costs less than £50,000.
Those figures place it firmly in Porsche Taycan GTS territory. The difference? A Taycan GTS costs well over £100,000.
Finished in Nevis Blue, the IM5 is a handsome and sophisticated machine. Like many modern EVs, it adopts a sleek, aerodynamic shape, prioritising efficiency over visual drama. It is smooth, clean and elegant, with a coupe-like roofline, flush door handles and subtle styling details. It certainly looks premium, although personally I would have liked a little more aggression to match the outrageous performance lurking beneath the bodywork.
The IM5 is also bigger than it appears in photographs. At nearly five metres long, it occupies executive saloon territory and offers impressive practicality. The liftback rear design reveals a 457-litre boot, expanding to 1,290 litres with the seats folded, while a small front storage compartment provides extra space for charging cables.
Inside, the cabin feels every bit as modern as the exterior suggests. A huge 26.3-inch panoramic display dominates the dashboard, complemented by a secondary touchscreen below. The specification is generous, with heated and ventilated seats, wireless charging, a panoramic glass roof, double-glazed windows and a superb 20-speaker audio system all included.
The IM5 is obsessed with technology. The climate control system allows airflow to be directed around the cabin via animated graphics on the touchscreen, while customisable displays, voice control and endless menu options ensure technology enthusiasts will be in heaven. However, there are times when simple tasks require too much screen interaction. Adjusting mirrors or audio settings can feel more complicated than necessary.
On the road, the IM5 immediately impresses with its refinement. It rides comfortably, remains remarkably quiet and feels every inch the premium executive car. Four-wheel steering helps disguise its size, making parking and manoeuvring surprisingly easy, while the all-wheel-drive system provides immense confidence in all conditions.
Then there is the performance.
Most of the time, the IM5 feels calm and composed. But press the accelerator properly and it transforms into something genuinely astonishing. The acceleration is brutal, pinning occupants to their seats as the horizon rushes towards you. Despite the violence of the acceleration, there is no drama. The car simply finds grip and launches forward with ruthless efficiency.
Charging performance is equally impressive. Thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture, the IM5 can charge at up to 396kW. MG claims a 10-80 per cent charge in just 17 minutes and, during my test, I witnessed charging speeds approaching 300kW. Combined with a WLTP range of around 357 miles, long-distance travel feels far less daunting than in many EVs. This thing sounds perfect.
So what’s the catch?
The answer is emotional engagement. The IM5 impresses the brain more than the heart. The steering is accurate but lacks sharpness, while the handling prioritises security over excitement. It is immensely capable, but slightly detached.
That said, none of this changes the fact that MG has created an extraordinary car. The IM5 Performance AWD combines supercar pace, premium equipment, impressive practicality and cutting-edge charging technology at a price that seems almost impossible to believe.
Whether or not it rivals a Porsche Taycan in driving enjoyment is debatable. That it can be mentioned in the same conversation is remarkable enough.
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