Compare the MG IM5 vs BYD Seal

Tricky screen menus, but incredible range
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
7/10
A stylish electric saloon, and genuinely fun to drive
Carwow’s own expert rating out of 10 - how our reviewers rate this car overall for value, comfort, kit and driving experience
wowscore
8/10

AI generated from our expert reviews

Both of these electric cars offer a quiet, refined drive on the motorway with ample performance for slip roads. Inside, both cabins feel light and airy thanks to their large glass roofs, though you will find tricky screens with tiny on-screen buttons in each, and rear passengers in both cars lack generous under-thigh support. The BYD Seal has the larger boot of the two, deals very well with bigger bumps around town, and proves nimble and fun on a twisting road. By contrast, the MG IM5 shakes about over town potholes with clattery suspension, and it is really dull to pilot along a country lane.

AI results may contain inaccuracies. Please check the details before making any financial decisions.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

Compare the specs

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Standard Range 217kW 75kWh Auto Electric Automatic

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Design 230kW 83kWh Auto Electric Automatic

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Standard kit

  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Climate control
    Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Heated seats
    Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
  • Leather seats
    Leather (or leather-look) seat upholstery instead of cloth.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Parking Sensors
    Beeps that get faster as you get closer to something while parking.
  • Touchscreen infotainment
    A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.
  • Android Auto
    Mirrors your Android phone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Apple CarPlay
    Mirrors your iPhone's apps, like maps, music and messages, onto the car's touchscreen.
  • Climate control
    Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature, rather than a manual heater dial.
  • Cruise control
    Holds a steady speed on the motorway without keeping your foot on the accelerator.
  • Heated seats
    Warms the seat itself on cold mornings.
  • Leather seats
    Leather (or leather-look) seat upholstery instead of cloth.
  • Navigation
    Built-in sat nav on the car's own screen, no phone needed.
  • Parking Camera
    A rear (sometimes 360°) camera that shows what's behind you while parking.
  • Touchscreen infotainment
    A touch-operated screen for media, settings and (often) navigation.

Key information

Body type Hatchbacks Body type Saloons
Available fuel types Electric Available fuel types Electric
Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Boot space, seats up 457 litres (3 suitcases) Boot space, seats up 485 litres (4 suitcases) Best
Boot space, seats down 1,290 litres Boot space, seats down 1,300 litres Best
External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,931 mm x 1,960 mm x 1,474 mm External dimensions (L x W x H) 4,800 mm x 1,875 mm x 1,460 mm
Towing capacity 1,500 kg Best Towing capacity 750 kg
First year tax rate £10 First year tax rate £10
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
3.5 miles / kWh
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how far an electric car travels on a given amount of energy, based on official tests. It is measured in miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh).
3.7 miles / kWh Best
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
304 miles
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
354 miles Best
Battery size 75 kWh Battery size 82.5 kWh Best
Drive type Rear wheel drive Drive type Rear wheel drive
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 46 · very high Best
Insurance
The insurance group the car sits in, from 1 to 50. The lower the group, the cheaper it usually is to insure.
Group 48 · very high
View full specs Hide full specs

Drivetrain & power

Engine name 217kW 75kWh Auto Engine name 230kW 83kWh Auto
Engine size Electric • 295 BHP Engine size Electric • 312 BHP
Body type Hatchbacks Body type Saloons
Fuel type Electric Fuel type Electric
Transmission Automatic Transmission Automatic
Drive type Rear wheel drive Drive type Rear wheel drive
Forward gears 1 Forward gears 1
Acceleration 6.8 s (0-60 mph) Acceleration 5.9 s (0-60 mph) Best
Battery size 75 kWh Battery size 82.5 kWh Best
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
304 miles
Battery range
This refers to how many miles an electric car can complete on a fully charged battery, according to official tests.
354 miles Best

Dimensions & space

Number of seats 5 Number of seats 5
Number of doors 5 Number of doors 4
Boot (seats up) 457 litres Boot (seats up) 485 litres Best
Boot (seats down) 1,290 litres Boot (seats down) 1,300 litres Best
Length 4,931 mm Length 4,800 mm
Width 1,960 mm Width 1,875 mm
Height 1,474 mm Height 1,460 mm
Wheelbase 2.95 m Wheelbase 2.92 m
Turning circle 9.98 m Turning circle 11.4 m

Full features list

  • Metallic paint
  • Ultra soft leather style - Grey
  • Ultra soft leather style - White
  • 2 x 12V power sockets
  • 2nd Row 60:40 Split folding seat with manual backrest adjustment
  • 3 rear head restraints
  • 6 way electric adjustable passenger seat
  • Ambient lighting
  • Climatized front armrest storage
  • Driver and passenger sun visors with vanity mirror
  • Driver's 12 way electric adjustable seat (with 4 way power lumbar support) with seat memory & easy entry
  • Dual zone automatic climate control
  • Front head restraints
  • Front reading lights
  • Front seats 2 way manual thigh support
  • Heat pump
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Heated rear seats
  • Leather steering wheel
  • Multifunction steering wheel
  • Rake/reach adjustable steering wheel
  • Rear air vents
  • Rear centre armrest
  • Rear reading lights
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Ultra soft leather style upholstery
  • 10.5" HD central touchscreen
  • 360 degree parking camera with transparent chassis view
  • 5 Driving Modes (Super Eco, Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom)
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless)
  • Auto lane change
  • Blind spot detection (BAS) with lane change assist (LCA)
  • Driver attention alert - includes Driver fatigue and Driver monitoring system (DMS)
  • E-call
  • Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
  • Forward collision warning
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Hands free power tailgate
  • Intelligent four wheel steering system (with Crab Mode)
  • Intelligent lane change (ILC)
  • Intelligent speed limit assist with traffic sign recognition
  • Lane keep assist system (LAS) with Lane departure warning system (LDWS)
  • Mobile phone bluetooth key
  • One touch curbside parking
  • One touch park
  • One touch pull out
  • One touch reverse
  • Power assisted steering
  • RNC (Road Noise Cancellation)
  • Rainy night mode
  • Rear cross traffic alert & braking (RCTA + RCTB)
  • Satellite Navigation
  • Ventilated wireless mobile phone charger (50W)
  • Voice control system
  • iSmart
  • Active grille system (AGS)
  • Automatic flush door handles
  • Automatic headlights
  • Double glazed silvering thermal insulating panoramic glassroof
  • Electrically ajustable, power folding, heated, memory, auto tilt down in reverse door mirrors
  • Frameless doors (with power release)
  • Front & rear anti pitch electric windows with one touch up/down
  • Integrated LED daytime running lights
  • LED centre brake light
  • LED headlights & rear lights with sequential indicators
  • LED rear fog lights
  • LED rear lights
  • Laminated front and rear glass
  • Manual dimming rear view mirror
  • Rain sensing wipers
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Solid paint
  • 2 Regenerative braking modes (Standard and Low)
  • Active emergency braking with pedestrian/Bicycle detection
  • Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
  • Brake disc washing (BDW)
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Continental front 4 piston fixed brake calipers
  • Door open warning
  • Dual front airbags
  • EBA
  • Electric parking brake with auto hold function
  • Electronic Stability Programme
  • Front & rear seatbelts (3-point + pretensioner + load limiter)
  • Front and rear passenger seat belt reminder
  • Front and rear vented brake discs
  • Front central airbag
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation switch
  • Front side airbags
  • Hill hold control
  • Rear isofix x2
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Alarm & Engine Immobiliser
  • Keyless entry
  • 19" Aero alloy wheels
  • Tyre repair kit
  • 20 Speaker audio system
  • 26.3" Full HD one piece immersive infotainment & driver's display
  • 3 x USB Type C Ports (2x Front and 1 x Rear)
  • DAB+ radio
  • Vehicle to load charging
  • Additional Metallic paint
  • Nappa leather - Tahiti blue
  • Nappa leather - Black
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Anti-lock brake system
  • Automatic emergency braking system
  • Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
  • Door open warning
  • Driver airbag
  • Electric parking brake with auto hold function
  • Electronic Stability Programme
  • Electronic child safety lock
  • Electronic parking brake
  • Front and rear curtain airbags
  • Front and rear seat belt warning
  • Front drilled ventilated disc
  • Front fixed calipers
  • Front passenger airbag
  • Front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Front side airbags
  • Height adjustable front seatbelts + pretensioners
  • Hill start assist control (HAC)
  • Rear seat belt pretensioners
  • Rear side airbags
  • Rear ventilated disc
  • Reflective vest
  • Traction control system (TCS)
  • Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC)
  • 2 x Smart keys
  • Alarm
  • Immobiliser
  • Smartphone bluetooth key and smartphone NFC key
  • 12V power outlet
  • 2 x front and 2 x rear cup holders
  • 3 seat rear bench
  • Auto air conditioning with dual air conditioning zone
  • Double layer foot mats
  • Driver and passenger visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Driver seat 8 way electric adjustment with position memory/4 way electric lumbar support adjustment/ventilation and memorized adjustment
  • Foot and face rear air vent
  • Front and rear centre armrest
  • Front passenger seat 6 way electric adjustment and ventilation
  • Heat pump
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
  • ISOFIX on front passenger and rear outer seats
  • Integrated headrest in front seats
  • Knitted fabric car roof lining
  • Leather multifunction steering wheel
  • Manual adjustment of rear headrests
  • Metal side sill plate
  • Multi-colour gradient ambient light in all doors, dashboard and front foot space
  • Nappa leather upholstery
  • Negative-ion generator
  • PM2.5 air filter
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Split folding rear seats - 40/60
  • Tailgate light, glove box light, LED front reading light/LED rear reading light and door lights
  • 10.25" LCD main dashboard display
  • 15.6" Horizontal touchscreen
  • 2 x front parking radar
  • 360 camera
  • 4 x Rear parking radar
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Automatic vehicle hold
  • BYD voice control assistant "Hi, BYD"
  • Blind spot detection
  • Child Forgetting Detection
  • Cloud service - BYD APP
  • Comfort brake system
  • Drive mode select (Eco, normal, sport, snow)
  • Driver attention warning
  • Driver monitor system (DMS)
  • Electric tailgate release
  • Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
  • Forward collision warning
  • Front cross traffic alert and front cross traffic brake
  • Hydraulic boost brake system and brake assist
  • Intelligent Power Braking System
  • Intelligent Speed Limit Information (ISLI) and Intelligent Speed Limit Control (ISLC)
  • Internet access
  • Keyless system entry and start
  • Lane Departure Assistant (LDA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Navigation system
  • OTA Function
  • Parking brake deceleration control
  • Power assisted steering
  • Predictive collision warning
  • Rear collision warning
  • Rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake
  • Remote climate control and ignition
  • Traffic jam assist
  • Traffic sign recognition (TSR)
  • Wireless charging 15W (2 units)
  • e-Call (emergency call)
  • Automatic anti-glare interior rear-view mirror
  • Automatic headlights
  • Body colour bumpers
  • Cut-through and dynamic rear taillights
  • Electric adjustment and defrosting, reverse auto-tilt, electric automatic folding, position memory, side turn lamp, foot light/blind spot indicator
  • Electric heated defroster rear windshield
  • Electric hidden door handle
  • Follow me home headlights (The headlights turned on in advance and delayed off function)
  • Front and rear electric windows
  • Front boot
  • Front trunk (72L)
  • High beam assist
  • LED Headlights
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED rear lights
  • LED third brake light
  • License plate light
  • Metallic paint
  • Panoramic roof
  • Rain sensor windscreen wipers
  • Rear boot
  • Rear foglight
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Thermal insulation privacy glass rear door windows
  • Thermal insulation, sound proofing and double glazed front door windows
  • Towing hook
  • 19" Twin colour aluminium alloy wheel with 235/45 R19 tyres
  • Tyre repair kit
  • 11kW on board charger
  • Mode 2 charging cable - Type G
  • Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable (3 phase)
  • V2L (Vehicle to load)
  • Slush-molding plastic dashboard
  • 12 speaker Dynaudio Sound System
  • FM/DAB+ radio
  • USB 1 x Type-A (18W) + 1 x Type-C (60W) front
  • USB 1 x Type-A (18W) + 1 x Type-C (60W) rear

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

'From' prices stated are for the lowest priced version of the car. Price may vary based on the selected version.

*Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term and 8000 miles annually, VAT included.