MG 5 vs Subaru Impreza
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
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Price Breakdown
The MG 5 starts from $30,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Impreza opens at $33,490. That makes the MG 5 the more affordable entry point by $2,500.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $32,990 for the MG 5 and $37,672 for the Subaru Impreza.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the MG 5 by roughly $1,570 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Subaru Impreza holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 3 stars for the MG 5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The MG 5 packs more ADAS features with 4 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 0 in the Subaru Impreza.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems. Airbag count is 6 in the MG 5 and 9 in the Subaru Impreza. The MG 5 adds a 360-degree camera that the Subaru Impreza misses.
Feature Showdown
The MG 5 features a 10-inch touchscreen, while the Subaru Impreza gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments.
The MG 5 stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Subaru Impreza. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the MG 5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru Impreza offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the MG 5 and 2-zone in the Subaru Impreza.
Drivetrain
The MG 5 uses a 1.5L Turbo Petrol producing 119kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Subaru Impreza responds with a Petrol I4 Boxer making 115kW and 196Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The MG 5 has the clear power advantage at 119kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The MG 5 measures 4,675mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 185mm longer than the Subaru Impreza at 4,490mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 401L in the MG 5 and 291L in the Subaru Impreza, giving the MG 5 a 110L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator — U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m — clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m — 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide — fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m — swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m — no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,824/year for the MG 5 and $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza. That is a $314 annual difference in favour of the MG 5.
Estimated annual total: $1,824 (MG 5) vs $2,138 (Subaru Impreza). The MG 5 saves you roughly $314 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 10 years / 250,000km (MG 5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Impreza). The MG 5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MG 5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The MG 5 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The MG 5 will save you roughly $314 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the MG 5 has a clear edge. The MG 5 adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, MG 5 and Subaru Impreza?
The MG 5 is the cheapest at $30,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Impreza by $2,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MG 5 uses the least fuel at 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Subaru Impreza has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG 5 has the largest boot at 401L.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG 5 has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG 5 makes the most power at 119kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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