MG 5 Sedan Receives Zero-Star Safety Rating: What Went Wrong?
MG 5 Sedan Receives Zero-Star Safety Rating: What Went Wrong?
Are you willing to compromise on safety when it comes to buying a car?
The MG 5 sedan has recently undergone safety testing, and the results are far from impressive. In fact, it has been awarded a zero-star ANCAP safety rating under the latest testing protocols. This puts it in the same league as the Mahindra Scorpio SUV. So, what exactly went wrong with the MG 5’s safety performance?
The MG 5 sedan and the Mahindra Scorpio SUV have both failed to impress in terms of safety. Under the latest testing protocols, both vehicles received a zero-star ANCAP safety rating. This means that they have significant deficiencies in their safety specifications, design, and performance. It’s not a good look for either brand.
The MG 5 sedan’s poor safety performance is evident in its scored ratings. For adult occupant protection, it only received a score of 37 percent, while its child occupant protection score was 58 percent. In terms of vulnerable road user protection, it scored a mere 42 percent. The safety assist score was the lowest at just 13 percent. These scores indicate a lack of comprehensive safety measures in the vehicle.
During the testing, the MG 5 sedan’s performance in the frontal offset and full-width frontal tests was particularly concerning. Poor chest and leg ratings were recorded for both the driver and rear passenger, highlighting the insufficient crash protection offered by the vehicle. The child dummies also experienced significantly higher loading on their head and neck compared to other vehicles, indicating a lack of design effort to prevent rear-seat occupant injury in frontal and side impact scenarios.
One of the major contributing factors to the poor safety performance of the MG 5 sedan is the absence of essential safety features. In the entry-level Vibe model, there are no seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters, both of which play a crucial role in restraining occupants during a collision. Even in the flagship Essence model, these safety features are only available for the front seats and not the rear. Additionally, the vehicle lacks autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems and other contemporary aids to monitor driver alertness and the presence of children, which further hampers its safety credentials.
In response to the zero-star safety rating, MG Motor Australia has stated that the current MG 5 model meets all relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for vehicle design and has been certified and approved for sale in Australia. The company acknowledges the need for improvements and has pledged to introduce a safety pack upgrade in 2024 to enhance the overall safety of the vehicle. This upgrade will include advanced ADAS systems such as autonomous emergency braking, speed assist, lane assist, and pedestrian protection, aligning with ANCAP’s rating system.
While the MG 5 may have some safety shortcomings, it’s worth noting that the 2024 model comes standard with certain safety equipment. All variants are equipped with autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and front, front-side, and curtain airbags. The Essence model goes a step further with the inclusion of a surround-view camera and rear seat belt reminders. Additionally, there are plans to introduce an option pack with more safety features towards the end of 2024.
To give an idea of the safety features that could potentially be added, we can look at the Chinese and Thai markets. In China, the MG 5 is available with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, intelligent speed assist, and traffic jam assist. In Thailand, it can also be equipped with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These features are already present in the Chinese-market MG 5 Scorpio, which is a sportier version of the regular MG 5.
The zero-star ANCAP safety rating for the MG 5 sedan serves as a reminder of the importance of independent crash testing and the need for comprehensive safety measures in vehicles. While the lack of collision avoidance features may have contributed to the low rating, it is crucial to emphasize a vehicle’s physical crashworthiness. ANCAP’s role in determining the safety performance of new models enables consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle.
In conclusion, the MG 5 sedan’s zero-star ANCAP safety rating highlights its significant deficiencies in safety specifications, design, and performance. With poor scores in various protection areas and weak results in crash tests, it is clear that improvements need to be made. The upcoming safety pack upgrade in 2024 is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen how effective it will be in addressing the vehicle’s safety shortcomings. Car buyers should carefully consider the safety credentials of the MG 5 and opt for vehicles that prioritize comprehensive safety measures.
- MG 5 and Mahindra Scorpio receive zero-star ANCAP safety rating
- Low scores in adult occupant, child occupant, and vulnerable road user protection
- Weak results in frontal and side impact tests
- Lack of collision avoidance and ADAS features
- Absence of seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters
The zero-star ANCAP safety rating for the MG 5 sedan reveals its alarming lack of safety features and crashworthiness. While the upcoming safety pack upgrade is a positive step, it is crucial for consumers to prioritize comprehensive safety measures when choosing a vehicle. The MG 5’s rating serves as a reminder of the importance of independent crash testing and the need for vehicles to meet stringent safety standards. Are you willing to compromise on safety when it comes to buying a car?
