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If imitation is the nicest form of flattery, then Tesla should blush.
The American automaker almost single-handedly pushed the fast-forward button on electric vehicles (EVs), forcing the rest of the world to catch up.
And here’s proof of that: the MG IM5, a four-door battery-powered sedan that’s modeled after the popular Tesla Model 3 in almost every way imaginable, but also pushes the needle a little further forward in other areas.
Here are seven things we like about the MG IM5.
After all, Tesla has a direct competitor
The MG IM5 follows much of the same formula as its most direct competitor, the popular Model 3, with a range of three variants each focusing on value, range and performance.
The IM5 range starts at $60,990 for the entry-level Premium model, which features a single electric motor on the rear axle, a 75kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a 400V electrical architecture.
The mid-range IM5 Platinum, which costs $69,990 with the car, has a larger 100-kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery and higher-voltage 800V electrics, as well as a more powerful motor, but still retains the rear-wheel drive configuration.
And the top-of-the-line IM5 Performance model we’re focusing on here costs $80,990 in-car and has the same battery and electrical architecture but adds a second motor on the front axle for more power.
Unsurprisingly, pricing for the IM5 is nearly identical to the Model 3. They start at $54,900 plus on-road for the entry-level single-motor version, rising to $61,900 plus on-road for the dual-motor Long Range, and top out at $80,900 plus on-road for the dual-motor performance flagship.
Full of luxury
In the IM5 Performance you get plenty of standard equipment and truly luxurious amenities, including ultra-soft leatherette upholstery in the spacious five-seat cabin, as well as dual-zone air conditioning, power front seats with heating and ventilation and a double-pane panoramic glass sunroof.
There’s also a 256-color ambient lighting system and a 20-speaker audio system that features active noise cancellation technology to make the cabin even quieter.
One thing you can’t ignore is the huge 26.3-inch widescreen digital display on top of the dash and a second 10.5-inch screen in the center console.
In front of the driver, the digital instrument display shows all important information in a clear, logical and simple layout, while the infotainment area features wireless smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices as well as embedded apps such as Spotify, YouTube and even TikTok.
Magnetic style
The MG IM5 not only looks stylish from the outside with its sleek, aerodynamic body and stylish 20-inch wheels, but also from the inside, where it offers a clean and modern cabin design.
You can also entertain your passengers or maintain their appearance with a clever collection of accessories that can be attached to various locations in the car using ultra-strong magnets.
There’s one on the top of the dashboard in front of the passenger where he can mount a tablet or maybe even a lighted vanity mirror. And there’s more to the front seatbacks for rear passengers, which included space for a leather bag in both our test car and the trunk, allowing you to customize your experience in a variety of ways.
Digital chassis
Taking the digital revolution a step further, MG leverages the high computing power of an advanced NVIDIA Orion chip to enhance the driving experience of the car itself.
Using a so-called Digital Chassis, the IM5 constantly monitors inputs and the road ahead to adjust certain elements of the vehicle, including the air suspension and driver assistance features, to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride regardless of the conditions.
Real performance
And when the road opens up, the IM5 Performance has the ability to change the horizon.
With 572 kW of power and 802 Nm of torque provided by its two motors (200 kW/302 Nm on the front axle and 372 kW/500 Nm on the rear axle), the IM5 is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 268 km/h. It’s very, very fast.
In addition, it can travel over 575 km (WLTP) on a single charge. And thanks to the high-voltage base, the battery has a maximum DC fast charging power of 396 kW and can be charged from 30 to 80 percent in just 15 minutes.
Most modern comfort
In addition to the fact that its electric platform offers extreme performance and long range, the IM5 also offers state-of-the-art amenities such as its one-touch parking assistant.
Using a series of cameras and sensors around the vehicle, drivers can use the central screen to request that the vehicle perform common parking maneuvers. The One Touch Park function searches for suitable spots and automatically returns to the correct position, regardless of whether it is a vertical or parallel spot.
With One Touch Kerbside, it ensures the vehicle maintains a safe distance from the curb, protecting its stylish 20-inch alloy wheels from scratches. And the one-touch pull-out function also works the same way when pulling out of a tight parking space.
And then there is One Touch Reverse, which automatically reverses the last 50 meters traveled. This is particularly useful if you are in a narrow cul-de-sac or alley.
Advanced security
All the hardware, including 12 ultrasonic sensors, nine high-resolution cameras, three-millimeter-wave radars and the NVIDIA Orion N chip, is also key to the IM5’s comprehensive suite of advanced safety systems, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and more.
Uniquely, the IM5 has a feature called Rainy Night Mode, which uses the cameras and sensors to display a live feed of the road ahead (or behind) on the screen in front of the driver, using artificial intelligence to improve visibility and highlight potentially obscured objects such as pedestrians and other road users.
Rounding out the comprehensive safety package are seven airbags, including a center airbag between the front seat occupants, and the MG IM5 has a maximum ANCAP rating of five stars.
MORE: Explore the MG IM5 showroom
