MG IM5 vs Abarth 500e
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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.
MG IM5
From $55,450
Sedan
Electric
Electric
217kW
—
ANCAP: no data
457L
Abarth 500e
From $60,500
Sedan
Electric
Electric
113kW
—
ANCAP: no data
185L
Track the MG IM5 & Abarth 500e
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The MG IM5 starts from $55,450 before on-road costs, while the Abarth 500e opens at $60,500. That makes the MG IM5 the more affordable entry point by $5,050.
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. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $60,995 and $66,550 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
75kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 153kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
37.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 85kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 85kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The MG IM5 features a 26.3-inch touchscreen, while the Abarth 500e gets a 10.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MG IM5 stands out with panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, V2L and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Abarth 500e. The Abarth 500e counters with JBL audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the MG IM5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Abarth 500e offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the MG IM5 and 1-zone in the Abarth 500e.
Drivetrain
The MG IM5 uses a Electric producing 217kW and 450Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout.
The Abarth 500e responds with a Electric making 113kW and 235Nm, paired to a single-speed automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The MG IM5 has the clear power advantage at 217kW vs 113kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 75kWh (MG IM5) vs 42kWh (Abarth 500e), giving WLTP ranges of 490km and 253km. DC fast charging peaks at 153kW (MG IM5) vs 85kW (Abarth 500e).
Space & Comfort
The MG IM5 measures 4,931mm long on a 2,950mm wheelbase, 1258mm longer than the Abarth 500e at 3,673mm (2,322mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG IM5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 457L in the MG IM5 and 185L in the Abarth 500e, giving the MG IM5 a 272L advantage. The MG IM5 seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m diameter
Excellent
Based on 9.4m 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.
Excellent
Clears the U-turn in one swing
Needs about 8.3 m of road; you have 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
1.7 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years (MG IM5) vs 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 500e). The MG IM5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MG IM5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Abarth 500e if: You or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The MG IM5 takes 8 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the MG IM5 has a clear edge. The MG IM5 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-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 IM5 and Abarth 500e?
The MG IM5 is the cheapest at $55,450 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Abarth 500e by $5,050.
Which has the longest driving range?
The MG IM5 has the most range at 490km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The MG IM5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 153kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of MG IM5 and Abarth 500e carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG IM5 has the largest boot at 457L.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG IM5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG IM5 makes the most power at 217kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
