The compact SUV, dare we say, is a bit of a niche segment. It seems that most buyers either opt for a midsize SUV if they want a capable people hauler with cargo space and turbodiesel power to boot, or they would consider a crossover if they want something more sedan-like but with more space and ground clearance.
Compact SUVs, then, sit somewhere in between. MG Philippines, which recently relaunched under the The Covenant Car Company Inc., is selling the RX5 in this segment. In case you’re curious what this Chinese-owned British marque has to offer in its compact SUV, here is all the essential information you need to know.
Exterior
Compared with other existing locally offered Chinese car brands, MG’s niche seems to be its emphasis on premium design that belies its lineup’s prices. In the RX5’s case, you get a big chrome grille up front paired with a set of sleek halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Sharp hood strakes and character lines give the otherwise curvy exterior a few boxy accents. Measurements stand at 4,545mm long, 1,855mm wide, and 1,719mm tall. The wheelbase is 2,700mm long, while the fuel tank can hold 55 liters.
In the rear, you get some strip-style, BMW-esque LED taillamps. In fact, it seems like the entire rear end was inspired by the German marque—the MG’s high beltline on the rear windshield and the jutted finish of the hatch door would blend seamlessly on an X5. Rounding out the package are 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inch for the base manual variant) —solid color for the manual, and two-tone for the automatic. Body-color options are Ruby Red (pictured here), Chocolate Brown, Sol Blue, Elegant White, Knight Silver, and Pearl Black.
Interior
Inside, the MG RX5 comes with a leather-lined steering wheel and door panels, and manually adjusted seats as standard. Also standard is the electronic climate control and the power windows (automatic up-down for the driver). Infotainment comes courtesy of an eight-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth capability and Apple CarPlay. The manual variant boasts fabric seats, while the automatic gets cream leather.
Interior cargo space is pegged at 595 liters with the rear seats upright and 1,639 liters with them folded. This compact SUV can fit five people inside, including the driver.
Engine and specs
The RX5 comes equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbopetrol with 167hp and 250Nm of torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch with manual gear selection via the shifter. Power is delivered to the front wheels.
The suspension features MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear. Stopping power is provided by ventilated discs in front and solid discs in the back.
Extra features
Standard features on the RX5 include seatbelt reminder, a reversing camera and sensor, auto-door lock, and an electronic handbrake. The top-of-the-line automatic comes with extras like push-button start, cruise control, auto-hold function, hill-hold control, tire pressure monitoring system, and heated side mirrors.
Prices and variants
In the Philippines, the RX5 comes in two variants:
2019 MG RX5
- MG RX5 MT Core – P1,058,888
- MG RX5 AT Style – P1,228,888
Check out the photos below for a closer look.
