MG's product lineup in Vietnam includes two C-segment sedans both named MG5, but with distinct market positions. The Thai-imported MG5 features a sporty coupe design, targeting young, individualistic customers. The Chinese-imported MG5 (referred to by the company as "New MG5") has a practical design, primarily aimed at buyers for commercial ride-hailing services.

To eliminate product name duplication, MG adopted the name GT for the coupe-style model, simultaneously upgrading its design and features. The company also shifted its import source from Thailand to China.

The MG GT is available in two versions in Vietnam: the Luxury, priced at 512 million dong, and the Premium (the model featured in this article), priced at 586 million dong. The grille and headlights feature a new design, aligning this model's aesthetics more closely with the MG7, a D-segment sedan also sold in Vietnam, starting from 738 million dong.

The GT can be considered a mid-cycle refresh of the MG5. Its dimensions remain almost unchanged, measuring 4,715 mm in length, 1,842 mm in width, and 1,473 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,680 mm.

Both GT versions come with automatic led headlights. The higher-end Premium version also includes automatic high-beam assist.

The coupe styling is evident in the C-pillar, which slopes sharply towards the rear. The car features opposing hexagonal dual exhaust pipes and a rear bumper with grooves that mimic the aerodynamic functions of a sports car.

The taillights are also LED. All windows on the higher-end GT version feature one-touch power adjustment. The lower version only has this feature for the driver's seat.

Similar to its predecessor, the GT is equipped with 16-inch wheels on the lower version and 17-inch wheels on the higher version. It features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension.

The cabin space has been redesigned with a flatter dashboard positioned further forward compared to the previous model. The design of both versions is identical, with differences only in the accompanying features.

The steering wheel design is similar to the previous model. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is standard. In the predecessor, this feature was only available on the higher-end version.

The car retains a 10-inch infotainment screen for information and entertainment functions, and all seats are leather-upholstered. Power adjustment for the driver's seat is exclusive to the Premium version. Air conditioning is manual on the lower version and automatic on the higher version.

With the shift to Chinese imports, the C-segment sedan's engine configurations have also changed. The Luxury version is equipped with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, producing 109 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT transmission. The Premium version, however, features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 168 horsepower and 275 Nm of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Premium version includes rear air conditioning vents, which are absent in the Luxury version. In terms of safety features, the MG GT is comparable to its Japanese and Korean rivals. The lower GT version includes electronic stability control, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring system, and a reverse camera. The higher version adds a 360-degree camera, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.

The GT's price range of 512-586 million dong positions it among the lowest in the C-segment sedan category, approaching B-segment pricing. Competitors to the MG model include the Mazda3, priced from 569-719 million dong; the Hyundai Elantra, from 579-769 million dong; and the Kia K3, starting at 584 million dong.

Pham Trung