MG IM5 100 Long Range (2026) Review

WOW, everyone is looking, some are even pointing, their expressions a mixture of awe and confusion.

In black, it could easily be driven by Batman, or some other super hero from the near future. Longer than normal, wider than most and very low-slung, seemingly hugging the tarmac, it is mean, moody and jaw dropping – but what is it?

It looks like the offspring of a Porsche and a Tesla, an unholy union of German and America technology and styling, but it’s not, try China and Britian.

The badges on the bonnet and the boot are unrecognisable, a couple of dots, a few slashes, and it takes a second look to notice the letters MG. But where is the iconic octagonal moniker, it’s simply not there.

That’s because this is something new, something paradigm-shifting, something special and deserving of its own brand, this is an IM5.

And look at it, it is glorious, especially its side profile and rear, though the front’s not too shabby either. It’s a super-sleek coupe, a grand tourer extraordinaire, a top-of-the-range brand carrier and flier of the flags.

If the looks are stunning then so is the way it drives, and feels inside, and charges at the supermarket.

The 100kW motor hurls more than 400PS and 500 Nm of torque at the world in spectacularly quiet fashion, which is enough for what is a very big car to reach the benchmark 62mph in just 4.9 seconds. If you want more, there is a ‘performance’ version that produces 751PS for a sprint tine of just over three seconds – crazy.

With all that power, an overly enthusiast dab of the throttle, on damp roads, sends the back end twitching sideways. It’s easily corrected by lifting off, but it has me thinking that the IM would be a drifter’s delight. For more grip you might have to change the tyres at the back because they look low resistance and far from grippy. Four wheel steer gives the IM amazing manoeuvrability, especially for such a long, wide car.

It’s flowing body shape and 19in aerodynamic wheels deliver an extremely low drag coefficient of 0.226 – I’ve never seen one that low before.

It’s stunning and so is the range. It’s become my obsession but the first thing I do when I climb in an EV is see what 100 per cent charge equates to range-wise. I can hardly believe it with the IM – 414 miles – that’s the most I have ever seen in an EV and twice a recent BMW I had on test.

So it is fast and rangy but the incredible thing to behold is the sheer speed this thing recharges. New 100kW architecture allows it to suck charge from the grid at an alarming rate. Max DC charging speed is 396kW; I’ve never seen that before either. It means it will recharge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 17 minutes, hardly enough time to queue for a takeaway cappuccino and a toilet stop at the service station. Amazing.

If these aren’t enough reasons to love the IM5 then the cabin certainly is, it’s gorgeous. Think plush, hi-tech and, again, Porsche-like, a sort of blend of Taycan and Panamera, but at a fraction of the price.

Softly padded leather-look materials swathe seats and trim. There’s a panoramic sunroof to let the light flood in. There’s double glazing to cut levels of noise, harshness and vibration to such negligible levels they barely exist at all.

Dominating the cabin is an ultra-wide 26.3in immersive touchscreen, which can be linked to wireless Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™ to connect your favourite smartphone features. There is also a 10.5in central vertical display screen. But fear not technophobes, it is all surprisingly easy to use.

Then there’s the superb infotainment centre which includes a 20 speaker hi-fi with various cinematic surround sound features which is simply stunning to listen to.

With the IM5, MG has catapulted its way into the luxury EV market while retaining the brands incredible value for money. It’s an absolute and utter game-changer and unbelievable value for money.

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