MG 5 vs MG GT: Which Compact Sedan Suits You Best?

Abu Dhabi: MG's sedan lineup in the UAE offers two distinct approaches to compact car ownership. The MG 5 is a traditional sedan focused on practicality and everyday value. The MG GT takes the same mechanical architecture and is packaged with fastback styling, with a sportier version. Both cars share the 1.5-litre engine platform but are targeted at different buyers. The 5 is more suitable for families who need maximum rear headroom and boot space. The GT is perfect for younger buyers who want something that is stylish, appealing and looks different from the usual sedan.

The MG 5 starts at around AED 49,000 and tops out near AED 54,000. The MG GT begins at approximately AED 62,519 and stretches higher depending on whether you choose the turbocharged engine. That price gap reveals there is not much difference, but it showcases the GT's positioning as the sportier option. Both sedans come from MG's Chinese manufacturing under SAIC ownership. Given the affordable, entry-level segment of sedans, both cars definitely qualify as value for money. Equipped with modern features such as touchscreen infotainment, leather seats on higher trims, and comprehensive safety packages. The build quality is decent enough for the price point, though not quite at the level you'd expect from Japanese or Korean alternatives.

If you're looking for your first sedan or moving from a used car to a brand new one, with a tight budget, then MG offers you a great choice. Which one will you select? The decision comes down to what matters most. We take a deep dive to compare both and help you make the most informed decision.

Market Position

The MG 5 has been around since 2020, and highlights MG's traditional approach to the compact sedan segment with a simple, well-known three-box design. It managed to get a five-star C-NCAP safety rating, which makes it safer and enhances its credibility in the Emirates, where safety has become a major factor for buyers. You won’t find much fancy; it is practical, with decent cabin space, reasonably well-equipped, and pricing that is considerably lower than Japanese rivals.

The MG GT arrived in 2021 as a sportier alternative for buyers who want a fun-to-drive sedan. It's basically an MG 5 with a noticeably sloping roofline and more assertive touches. The GT is available in three variants in the UAE: STD with the naturally aspirated engine, and COM and LUX with the turbocharged powerplant. The fastback styling makes it look more expensive than it actually is, which appeals to buyers who care about visual presence.

Both sedans compete in the budget compact segment. The MG 5 has some notable rivals like the Honda City, Changan Alsvin, and Geely Emgrand. The GT takes on slightly premium options like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra,  Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3. Considering their price range, both the MG sedans don’t actually go against these well-established rivals but certainly deserve to be considered due to their price advantages.

Price Comparison

In prices, the MG 5 and GT aren’t that dramatically different. With its sportier version and turbo engine, and better styling elements,  the GT costs a little more. However, both sedans are retailed through MG's UAE dealer network and have similar standard warranties covering basic components.

Variant	MG 5 (AED)	MG GT (AED)
Base (STD)	49,000	62,519
Mid-Range (COM)	51,500	74,134
Top Trim (DEL/LUX)	54,000	77,922

Dimension Comparison

The GT measures 4,675mm in length and 1,842mm in width with a height of 1,480mm. The 5 is slightly shorter at 4,607mm in length and 1,818mm in width, standing taller at 1,489mm. The GT sits lower at the back due to its sloping roofline, which visibly cuts into rear headroom.

Considering their sedan body style, the ground clearance is moderate. The GT is 160 mm, which is quite low for UAE roads, with their common speed bumps we encountered. The 5 doesn't specify exact clearance, but it seems to sit slightly higher based on its conventional sedan profile. Both cars have a 2,680mm wheelbase and use 16 or 17-inch wheels, depending on variants

The 5 has 428 litres of boot space, the GT's cargo capacity drops to 401 litres, not a huge difference on paper, but it is not hard to know why. The sloping roofline reduces vertical loading space significantly. If you regularly need bigger cargo items or multiple suitcases, that matters.

Dimension	MG 5	MG GT
Length	4,607mm	4,675mm
Width	1,818mm	1,842mm
Height	1,489mm	1,480mm (COM/LUX)
Wheelbase	2,680mm	2,680mm
Ground Clearance	NA	160mm
Fuel Tank	45L	45L (STD) / 50L (Turbo)
Boot Space	428L	401L
Wheel Size	16 inches	16" (STD) / 17" (COM/LUX)

Engine Comparison

The engine is basically the same 1.5L, four-cylinder petrol engine for both the sedans; however, they have been tuned to each car's character and persona. The base engine in both cars produces 118 hp of power with 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. This naturally aspirated unit pairs with an 8-speed CVT transmission. It's adequate for daily driving but not particularly exciting.

The GT offers something the 5 doesn’t, a turbocharged option. The 1.5T produces 162hp of power and 250 Nm of torque between 3,000-4,000 rpm. This turbo variant uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic instead of the CVT. The performance difference is noticeable, mainly in their fast acceleration and speed. Fuel consumption figures are not universal, and often depend on driving conditions and also road types.

Engine Type	MG 5	MG GT
Engine	1.5L naturally aspirated	1.5L NA / 1.5L Turbo
Displacement	1,495cc	1,498cc / 1,490cc
Power Output	118 hp	162 hp
Torque	140 Nm	150 Nm / 250 Nm
Transmission	8-speed CVT	8-speed CVT / 7-speed DCT
Fuel Economy	5.95 L/100km (claimed)	5.7 / 5.9 L/100km
Top Speed	184 km/h	185 / 215 km/h

Features Comparison

Taking into account the prices, MG is offering fair bit of features that you generally find in a segment above. This is a common theme of almost all the Chinese brands, when it comes to tech and features, they have plenty. And the 5 and GT aren’t different. The GT's cabin comes with integrated sports seats, a 6-way adjustable driver seat, manual on STD, and power on COM/LUX. Also multifunction leather steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The 5 gets similar equipment on higher trims, though the base model makes do with fabric seats and a 3.5-inch instrument cluster instead of the GT's 12.3-inch digital display.

Both cars support wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a must these days given the prevailing use of smartphones. Cars are becoming an extension of their digital life, and buyers expect it.  The GT includes wireless phone charging on upper trims, while the 5 offers a phone charging port. The GT's premium LUX trim adds paddle shifters, cruise control, an air quality management system, and an electric sunroof, which is really exciting.  The 5 offers a sunroof across its range, which is a point in its favour.

On safety, you don’t need to be concerned at all; there is enough of it, rather a lot given the segment. The 5 includes ESP, electronic parking brake with auto hold, front and side airbags, integrated side curtain airbags, child locks, and ISOFIX anchor points. The GT matches this on the base trim, then adds a 360-degree camera, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning on the LUX variant. Both cars feature rear parking sensors, though the GT offers a full 360-degree view on the top trim versus a basic rear camera on the 5.

Exterior

Feature	MG 5	MG GT
Headlights	Full LED	LED projector
DRLs	LED integrated	LED integrated
Tail Lights	LED sharp design	3D LED race track design
Design	Conservative sedan	Fastback sports sedan
Grille	Modern chrome	3D digital burning grille
Wheels	16-inch alloy	16-inch / 17-inch dual-tone alloy
Colors	4 options	6 options including Nuclear Yellow

Interior

Feature	MG 5	MG GT
Seats	Fabric / PU Leather	Fabric (STD) / Leather sport
Driver Seat	6-way manual / electric	6-way manual / power
Climate	Electric control AC	Automatic AC
Screen Size	10.25 inches	10.1 inches
Instrument Cluster	3.5-inch color / 12.3-inch digital	12.3-inch virtual cluster
Steering	PU / Microfiber leather	Leather with multimedia controls
Sunroof	Electric anti-pinch	Electric (COM/LUX only)

 

Safety

Feature	MG 5	MG GT
Airbags	6 inclusive of front, side, curtain	2-6 depending on trim
ABS/ESP	Standard with EBA	Standard with Hill Hold
Parking Assist	Rear camera / 360° camera	Rear sensors + camera / 360°
ADAS Features	None	Lane departure, collision warning (LUX)
C-NCAP Rating	Five-star	Not specified
ISOFIX	Standard	Standard
TPMS	Standard	Standard

Infotainment

Feature	MG 5	MG GT
Screen	10.25" IPS HD floating	10.1" HD touchscreen
Speakers	4 or 6 depending on trim	4 or 6 depending on trim
Connectivity	Wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	Wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Wireless Charging	Yes (DEL trim)	Yes (COM/LUX trims)
DAB Radio	Standard	NA

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	MG 5	MG GT
Entry	Keyless with push start	Keyless with push start
Cruise Control	Standard	LUX trim only
Paddle Shifters	No	COM/LUX trims (turbo only)
Rear Legroom	Spacious	Slightly compromised
Boot Access	Standard trunk	Remote trunk opening

What Makes Them Work in the UAE Market

Both the MG 5 and GT handle the basics that matter in the Emirates. They are spacious enough, comfortable, and the air conditioning works properly, crucial when you're faced with 45-degree summers. It cools the cabin quickly and maintains the temperature without struggling, a necessity in our climatic conditions. The interiors use materials that are easy to wipe down when dust and sand commonly find their way inside. The fabric seats on base models resist staining better than you'd expect, while leather options clean up easily.

Service costs stay reasonable compared to European brands and are pretty close to the Japanese and Koreans. Parts are affordable, and the dealer network across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah handles routine maintenance competently. You're not waiting weeks for parts or paying a premium; this matters when you're doing 20,000-30,000 km annually in city traffic, standard for regular users

But all of this is topped by the attractive prices. That appeals to young professionals starting their careers, small business owners managing cash flow, and families who need reliable transport without spending much or first-time users.

However, you should keep in mind their resale value, which at the moment looks on the lower side, but that trade-off is perhaps inevitable; but if you plan to use it for a longer time, then that won’t bother you much.

Which One Should You Buy?

Again, like always, there won’t be a straightforward answer; it all depends on individual needs.  The MG 5 suits families and practical buyers. Rear passengers sit comfortably on longer trips. The boot is nothing to complain about for everyday family use. That extra vertical space in the trunk makes a genuine difference when carrying big cargo items. The sunroof comes standard across all trims, which passengers appreciate during cooler months.

The MG GT works for singles, young couples, or empty nesters who emphasise look and style. That fastback design appears attractive. The turbocharged version is punchy, quick in acceleration. But rear headroom is a compromise for taller passengers, and the boot opening makes loading tricky. 

If you regularly carry kids, parents or need maximum cargo capacity then 5 is the right pick. If you want something that stands out visually and is mostly used for yourself, as a bachelor or just two of your spouses, the GT works. The turbocharged GT makes sense if you enjoy driving and want proper performance in the budget segment.

Conclusion

The UAE car market has evolved a lot in the past few years. Today, most brands offer plenty of options in each segment. Chinese brands have become quite ubiquitous, and they come with some unique vantage points. In the entry-level sedan segment, the MG's two sedans that we have compared are great examples of the same market dynamics. If you’re looking to buy your first, all-new sedan, then both of them are great choices. Just understand what you need, and then check both out, test drive and explore features. To arrive at a decision won’t be challenging then.