MG RX5

The cabin of the MG RX5 looks extremely sophisticated with a combination of beige and black colour all around. The 3-spoke steering wheel has control buttons for the music system as well. The infotainment system is nicely stacked with a touch display and a lot of controller knobs and buttons.

The air-conditioning system gets automatic climate control for the optimum comfort of all the occupants. There are AC vents at the rear too. All the windows are power operated and the same provides testimony to how plush and feature-rich the car is. The seat upholstery is very comfortable and adjustable, while the driver gets a height-adjustable unit.

The MG RX5 has a butch appeal all across. The front fascia is extremely sculpted with chrome embellished horizontal slats on the front grille. The projector headlamps' setup has LED DRLs integrated on them. The headlamps are adjustable and there are fog lamps as well. The brake lights at the rear get LED treatment, which further enhances the overall appeal. 

The lower manual transmission trim runs on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the higher automatic variant rides on bigger 18-inch alloys with 235-section tyres. The SUV measures a little over 4.5 metres in length and has a wheelbase of 2.7 metres. The presence of roof rails means camping is always on with this car.

Being a spacious 5-seater SUV, the MG RX5 handles really well. It is long and has good wheelbase. That, combined with a high ground clearance of 175 mm ensures that the car glides on bad roads and feels stable on a straight line, irrespective of the speed.

The suspension setup is put together well. The MacPherson Strut front and Multi-link rear suspension pull out a very comfortable drive. However, the set up is not very spongy and does not feel bouncy on bad roads. The high power production helps the SUV achieve a top speed of 208 kmph.

The MG RX5 does not lag behind with the engine as well. It is powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that can churn out a maximum power of 166 bhp and the highest torque of 250 Nm.

The produced power is sent down to the wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox on the lower trim and 7-speed automatic stick on the top trim. The availability of humongous torque at a very low engine RPM in a very linear way is what keeps the drivers interested at all times.

The MG RX5 is built with an uncompromising eye on the safety department. It maintains its stability on the highways, thanks to the sticky tyres and stable steering. 

Inside the cabin, the MG RX5 gets dual airbags for the driver and front passenger as standard. As for the braking department, the anti-lock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution ensure good stopping power. Other sensors include vehicle stability control, parking sensors, crash sensors, traction control, and tyre pressure monitoring.

The MG RX5 competes directly against the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Rush. However, though it is slightly more expensive than the competitors, the features and higher power delivery make it the most preferable option to choose from.

However, the only drawback that the buyers may consider is the lack of airbags for the windows and rear passengers.