BMW iX1 vs MG MGS5
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
MG MGS5 scores higher, 72 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 11 Jul 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW iX1
21 of 27 standard · 2 optional · 4 no dataFrom
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 20.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 490L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
MG MGS5
23 of 27 standard · no option data · 4 no dataPrice TBC
The manufacturer has not published an Australian price for this model yet.
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- 125kW
- Energy use
- 16.9 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 453L
Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 70
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
MG MGS5: we're still completing price, turning circle, electric range and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$77,900RRP
- with the MG MGS5's standard kit: at least $77,900 (1 option priced only inside packages; 1 with no data, not charged)
1 added option
- Panoramic Roof: priced only inside the Enhancement (Z1T)
No price
- no price to build from against the BMW iX1
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW iX1 xDrive30
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $337 a week in repayments ($77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
MG MGS5 Essence 49
No price published
The manufacturer has not published an Australian price.
$42,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by MG Australia
About $176 a week in repayments ($42,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW iX1 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The MG MGS5 does not: no price recorded, so eligibility cannot be assessed.
Matching the MG MGS5's standard equipment means adding extra-cost options to the BMW iX1, and one is priced only inside a package whose price the manufacturer doesn't publish, so the true gap is larger than the sticker difference suggests.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$176/wk(≈$761/mo)
Estimate on the MG MGS5 at $42,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW iX1 at 5 stars (2022) and the MG MGS5 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW iX1 and 90% for the MG MGS5, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW iX1, against 6 on the MG MGS5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the BMW iX1 and 6 on the MG MGS5.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW iX1
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005746 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front right drive shaft may become loose and detach from the eDrive.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 1 more on the model page.
MG MGS5
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
62kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 120kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 120kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW iX1 features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the MG MGS5 gets a 12.8-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW iX1 stands out with Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the MG MGS5. The MG MGS5 counters with panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW iX1 uses a Electric producing 230kW and 494Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds.
The MG MGS5 responds with a Electric Motor making 125kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The BMW iX1 has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 125kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX1 is 2.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.7kWh (BMW iX1) vs 49kWh (MG MGS5). DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (BMW iX1) vs 120kW (MG MGS5).
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 24mm longer than the MG MGS5 at 4,476mm (2,730mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG MGS5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 490L in the BMW iX1 and 453L in the MG MGS5, giving the BMW iX1 a 37L advantage.
For towing, the BMW iX1 leads with a 1,200kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 450kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
The BMW iX1 turns in a 11.9 m circle, kerb to kerb; the MG MGS5's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW iX1 costs about $970 a year (20.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the MG MGS5 about $811 a year (16.9 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $159 a year less for the MG MGS5.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX1) and 10 years / 250k km (MG MGS5).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX1: more power (230kW against 125kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (490L against 453L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,200kg against 750kg).
The MG MGS5: the longer warranty (10 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($811 a year against $970).
The Verdict
MG MGS5 scores higher, 72 vs 70
The MG MGS5 scores 72 to the BMW iX1's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 9 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (BMW iX1 ahead by 26 points), energy efficiency (MG MGS5 ahead by 22 points), technology (MG MGS5 ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the MG MGS5 costs about $159 less (16.9 kWh/100km against 20.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 490L in the BMW iX1, 453L in the MG MGS5. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW iX1, 10 on the MG MGS5.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$176/wk(≈$761/mo)
Estimate on the MG MGS5 at $42,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW iX1 and MG MGS5?
The BMW iX1 is the cheapest at $77,900 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW iX1 has the most range at 417km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW iX1 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 130kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and MG MGS5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX1 has the largest boot at 490L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW iX1 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG MGS5 has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 7 years.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX1 makes the most power at 230kW. The BMW iX1 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the BMW iX1 & MG MGS5
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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