The MG 5 has been treated to a facelift in China, bringing revised looks inside and out and improved tech for the small sedan.

MG released images of the updated MG 5 this week ahead of its official unveiling at the Chengdu Auto Show later this month, with Chinese deliveries of the model kicking off next month.

CarExpert has contacted MG Australia to find out when we can expect the updated model in local showrooms.

Compared to the current MG 5 – which debuted in late 2020 but only went on sale in Australia last year – the facelifted model’s front bumper features a revised up-turned grille, a relocated badge (now sitting above the grille) and redesigned side air intakes.

The bonnet too has been redesigned, now incorporating two creases which converge at the MG badge on the bumper, while the headlights appear to adopt a new light signature.

At the rear, the tail lights now extend beyond the quarter panel and onto the boot, sitting above a restyled bumper which retains its incorporated exhaust outlets.

Inside, the MG 5’s cabin has also been treated to an overhaul, with its existing 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch display, paired with an identically sized digital instrument cluster.

The entire dashboard has been redesigned, adopting a more traditional design compared to the angular shapes of the current model, and featuring reshaped air vents and control buttons.

There have been no change to the MG 5’s two engine options, which consist of a pair of 1.5-litre four-cylinder drivetrains: a 84kW/150Nm non-turbo mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a turbocharged unit which produces 119kW/250Nm and is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

MG Motor Australia had already confirmed in June an updated MG 5 was due here late in 2024 or early in 2025 featuring various safety upgrades.

The company confirmed last December it was working on a $4 million upgrade for the MG 5, comprising both hardware and software fixes, after it received a zero-star rating from ANCAP.

These upgrades include seatbelt pre-tensioners, to help firmly secure occupants in the event of a collision, and dynamic load tensioners MG says will help manage the force exerted on seat belts during a collision.

MG will also add a “calf protection panel” to sit under the front bumper to minimise the level of injury to pedestrians in a crash.

Software upgrades will include lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and intelligent speed assist.

While the MG 5 already has autonomous emergency braking, this will be upgraded to a more sophisticated system that includes pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection with junction assist.

The MG 5 will also get an occupant monitoring feature.

It’s understood blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert will not be included, as these features aren’t available on Chinese-built MG 5 sedans, apart from the related MG 5 Scorpio.

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