BMW X3 vs MG MGS5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 72
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 23 Jul 2026
BMW X3
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 140kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 72
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
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.
$86,100RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- no price to build from against the BMW X3
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 X3 20 xDrive
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $375 a week in repayments ($86,100 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.
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.
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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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva 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
Both the BMW X3 and MG MGS5 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2025. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the BMW X3 and 90% for the MG MGS5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW X3, 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 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X3 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 X3
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 8 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
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 X3 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-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 X3 stands out with Bowers & Wilkins 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 X3 uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 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 X3 has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 125kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the MG MGS5 is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X3 measures 4,755mm long on a 2,865mm wheelbase, 279mm longer than the MG MGS5 at 4,476mm (2,730mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW X3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the BMW X3 and 453L in the MG MGS5, giving the BMW X3 a 117L advantage.
For towing, the BMW X3 leads with a 2,400kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,650kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
The BMW X3 turns in a 12.1 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, fuel for the BMW X3 costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km) and electricity for the MG MGS5 about $811 a year (16.9 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X3) and 10 years / 250k km (MG MGS5).
Where each one leads
The BMW X3: more power (140kW against 125kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 453L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,400kg against 750kg).
The MG MGS5: the longer warranty (10 years against 5).
The Verdict
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 72
The BMW X3 scores 73 to the MG MGS5's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: practicality (BMW X3 ahead by 20 points), value (MG MGS5 ahead by 6 points). Boot space with the seats up: 570L in the BMW X3, 453L in the MG MGS5. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW X3, 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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva 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 X3 and MG MGS5?
The BMW X3 is the cheapest at $86,100 before on-road costs.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BMW X3 and MG MGS5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2025). Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X3 has the largest boot at 570L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,400kg.
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 X3 makes the most power at 140kW. The MG MGS5 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.2s.
Track the BMW X3 & 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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