2024 MG 5 update bringing critical safety updates to address zero-star ANCAP rating

Last week's news of the worst safety test result in years has sent MG back to the parts room, promising a number of important updates to its MG5 sedan for the 2024 model year.

The crash test, carried out locally by ANCAP itself (whereas many current results are taken from Euro NCAP testing), saw the MG 5 sedan and Mahindra Scorpio SUV slammed by the organisation's boss.

“Both brands have misjudged the safety expectations of today’s consumers,” ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said.

In its report, ANCAP said it could not award even a single star to either car, "“due to a range of limitations – in both physical crash protection and active collision avoidance performance". You can read the full story, linked below.

Responding quickly to the results, an MG spokesperson told Wheels Media last week that the brand "has worked closely with the Australian Government to ensure that the MG 5 has met the relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for vehicle design when they are first supplied to the Australian market".

ADR requirements tend to be well behind ANCAP criteria, however, due partly to the snail's pace of legislation anywhere in the world, but also to the notion that buyers need the option of cheap cars – and the extent of included safety kit should, in part, be theirs to budget for.

For example, lane-keep assist has been an ANCAP requirement for years, but was only proposed as an ADR change in late 2021 with a 2024 target. Reverse cameras and sensors will likewise not become compulsory in new cars until 2025.

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What will MG add to the MG 5?

The company's local arm has provided a list of coming improvements, which we've shared below, verbatim.

1. The addition of seatbelt pretensioners: “The added pre-tensioner seatbelts of the MG5 allow the shoulder portion of the belt to be pulled tightly to help firmly secure the occupant in the seat in the event of a collision”.
2. Dynamic Load Tensioners: “The addition of this device in the MG5 helps manage the force exerted on seat belts during a collision, enhancing the effectiveness of the restraint system.”
3. Calf protection: “MG is committed to improving safety for all road users, including the protection of pedestrians. Toward this end, MG has developed a calf protection panel which sits under the front bumper to minimise the level of injury to pedestrians in the event of an accident.”
4. “MG is investing in additional hardware safety upgrades for the MG5 that include ‘Dynamic Load Tensioners’, ‘Seat Belt Reminders’, ‘Occupant Monitoring’, ‘Calf Protection’, ‘Seat Belt Pretensioner’, ‘Forward Impact Sensor (Preventing or mitigating frontal collisions)’.

These hardware changes are in addition to software updates confirmed in MG's previous comments following the ANCAP testing, which included: Speed Limit Information, Intelligent Speed Assist, Enhanced AEB recognition, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Autonomous Emergency Braking for turning, cross road, car to car, pedestrian, cyclist, door opening, motorcyclist, and junction assist.

Will the 2024 MG 5 be more expensive with these upgrades?

MY24 pricing is not yet confirmed, but it would not be unreasonable for these additions to move the MG 5 beyond its current drive-away $24,990 (MG 5 Vibe) and $28,990 (MG 5 Essence) position.

The changes certainly don't come cheap for MG itself. The company says its Australia-specific upgrades to the MG 5, all of which will be standard on both the VIbe and Essence trim grades, are a $4 million undertaking.

When will the updated MG 5 arrive?

The company has not yet confirmed when the updated MG 5 will arrive, or how many examples of the current zero-star version are already in Australian stock.

Will MG submit the 2024 MG 5 to ANCAP for a new score?

Speaking with Wheels Media today, an MG spokesperson was unable to confirm any specific plans for a tilt at a better safety score.

"We’re investing a substantial amount to improve the safety features and our local product team are in regular communication with ANCAP about the updates," the spokesperson said.