MG has expanded the locally assembled MGS5 EV range in Malaysia with a new entry-level COM variant priced at RM103,900 in Peninsular Malaysia, excluding road tax and insurance.
COM is short for Comfort. It sits below the existing LUX and uses a 49 kWh battery paired with a rear-wheel-drive electric powertrain producing 170 PS and 250 Nm. MG quotes driving range of up to 340 km.
The LUX remains at RM116,900 and carries the larger 62 kWh battery, along with 203 PS and 350 Nm. Its claimed range is up to 446 km.
SAIC Motor Malaysia is pitching the COM as the more accessible route into the MGS5 EV range, while retaining much of the equipment offered on the higher-spec car.
The RM13,000 price gap brings some clear equipment differences. The COM gets fabric seats, 17-inch black alloy wheels and DC fast charging at up to 120 kW. It does without the LUX’s panoramic sunroof.
By comparison, the LUX uses 18-inch alloy wheels and can take up to 150 kW at a DC charger. It also adds leatherette upholstery, ventilated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, panoramic sunroof and hands-free powered tailgate.
MG has kept much of the safety equipment common across both variants. Each comes with seven airbags and the MG Pilot ADAS 2.5 driver-assistance package, which includes Traffic Jam Assist and Intelligent Cruise Control.
The company also uses an ultra-thin battery layout in the MGS5 EV. MG says this helps lower the centre of gravity while creating more cabin space and improving stability.
Warranty coverage is unchanged between the two versions. Buyers get a seven-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty, an eight-year or 180,000 km battery warranty and an eight-year or 160,000 km warranty for the Motor Control Unit.
For the launch, MG is offering a RM3,000 rebate and a complimentary wallbox with the MGS5 EV COM. The company is also running a test-drive promotion until Sept 30, with customers in the running to win a MacBook Neo or RM50 in Touch ’n Go eWallet credits.
The new COM is available for viewing and booking at MG showrooms nationwide.
Against the LUX, the COM costs RM13,000 less but gives up 106 km of MG-quoted range and 30 kW of peak DC charging, along with some cabin and convenience equipment.
MG is following a similar playbook to BYD. In July, BYD Sime Motors added the lower-priced Dynamic to its refreshed Sealion 7 range, bringing the electric SUV’s entry price down to RM164,700 from the RM184,500 starting point of the original line-up.
Like the MGS5 EV COM, the Dynamic trades some battery capacity, performance and charging speed for a lower price while keeping the more expensive variants above it.
