Sprightly affordable: MG GT

In recent times, the Philippine compact sedan segment has become smaller as more auto brands shift to crossovers. However, two nameplates have remained mainstream stalwarts- the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla Altis.

As a response, relatively newer marques have begun to penetrate the local scene with their own respective entries to the compact sedan market. A case in point is the MG GT, which was launched in the Philippines in 2023. 

So, is the car worth its asking price? Can the more affordable MG sedan compete with its Japanese rivals? To find out, Zigwheels Philippines got an example of the MG GT Sport for a week.

Exterior

It terms of appearance, the GT Sport gets a well-rounded profile that balances elegance with sportiness. 

Up front, the sedan sports a pair of sharp-looking LED headlamp clusters flanking a wide-open grille. It also has a functional lower intake covered with a hexagonal patterned mesh, topped by a sculpted muscular hood. Overall, the front of the vehicle has a unique angry appearance, which will appeal to those who like edgy-styled sedans. 

Its sides and rear also get some measure of attractive styling details courtesy of more character lines, a set of silver and black 17-inch alloy wheels, a ducktail trunk lid, a pair of eye-catching LED taillights, and a dual exhaust tip setup. Otherwise, the said sections of the vehicle appear to have a more subtle look compared to its rakish front end. 

When it comes to exterior equipment, the GT Sport ups the ante with its power-adjustable side mirrors, sunroof, and automatic headlamp functionality. It also has a decently-sized windshield and thin A-pillars, which contribute to good forward visibility. 

Interior

Inside, the MG sedan features a distinctively clean, contemporarily designed dashboard filled with plenty of eye candy. Particularly, the textured hexagonal pattern and polished metal trim lining the dash’s front give the cockpit a more premium feel.

The center console also presents niceties, such as a shapely shifter and an electronic parking brake. Both make daily driving uncomplicated, but the piano black plastic surrounding the said controls may get dirty quickly during everyday use. 

Regarding upholstery, all of the vehicle’s seats and most touch points are clad in soft leather. The flat-bottom steering wheel is likewise covered in the same material but with perforations for improved grip. 

Finding one’s preferred driving position is also easy in the GT, thanks to its eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and its tilt-adjustable steering column. In addition, most control surfaces are positioned within short reach of the driver and can be quickly understood even by a first-time user. 

Drivers will especially appreciate the silver-colored physical buttons for the car’s automatic climate control system and volume controls. The buttons are clicky and tactile, so users can make adjustments quickly without taking their eyes off the road. 

The rear cabin is generously spacious, and folks with average height will have no issues with legroom and headroom. Plus, it is a true five-seater model due to its relatively flat floor and wide seat bases. Its trunk is quite large, too, but the model’s rear seats do not have split-folding functionality. 

Prospective buyers of the car also won’t feel that it lacks technology, as the MG GT Sport was kitted out with a 10-inch touchscreen that features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is linked to a six-piece speaker system.

Linking an Android and Apple phone with the use of a data cable is doable with no hitches. The sound quality from its speakers is decent, with just the right bass and treble levels, even with its default settings. Thanks to its wireless smartphone charging pad, keeping one’s devices topped up aboard the GT is also effortless.

The central infotainment screen, on the other hand, was not laggy even when used with quick inputs. It also has a crisp interface, which remains legible in varying light conditions. Otherwise, the screen’s reverse and 360-degree camera video feed can be blurry at night but fine during the day. 

A 12.3-inch virtual digital gauge cluster with a seven-inch screen is positioned neatly behind the steering wheel. Like the main infotainment screen, the aforementioned driver’s display is clear and easily understandable. 

Engine

The MG GT Sport's powerplant is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline mill, which can produce up to 158 horsepower and 250 Newton-meters of torque. The four-banger is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which sends power to the front wheels.

Throttle inputs are quick and responsive, especially when the car’s paddle shifters are utilized. On the highway, turbo lag can be felt during hard acceleration. Once its turbo kicks in, however, it gets up to speed quickly. 

Sure, the MG GT Sport is by no means a purpose-built high-performance car, but it feels light on its feet. Plus, it is also confidence-inspiring and fun to drive due to how planted and stable it is when taking corners at a reasonably brisk pace. 

Ride quality is provided by its front McPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension systems, which are tuned between firm and soft. Larger potholes and bumps can be jarring, but that can be attributed to the car's thin, low-profile tires. 

In normal and “eco” modes, it behaves well when navigating tight city roads. Engine sound doesn’t penetrate the cabin too much, but tolerable amounts of wind noise can be heard at highway speeds. 

It is also reasonably efficient, with a fuel economy gauge reading of around 8.5 kilometers per liter (kph) in the city during heavy traffic. For reference, the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S, as tested, also yielded 8 kpl from in-city driving. 

Safety

The MG GT Sport offers many safety features for its price. It comes standard with dual front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and cornering brake control, among others. 

The vehicle’s standard safety bits are supported by a number of advanced driver-assist systems, such as forward collision warning, intelligent high-beam control, and lane departure warning, among others.  

Variants, Price

• MG GT Alpha CVT: P1.016 million
• MG GT Sport: P1.194 million

Final thoughts

Where value for money is concerned, the MG GT is a potential winner. The top-spec Sport, in particular, offers features comparable to those of other more expensive compact sedan trims, such as the Civic V Turbo. 

In addition to its status as a budget-friendly ride, it also has the power output to be classed as a practical but sprightly daily driver. Again, it’s no sports car, but considering its price, it has enough to punch up against its popular Japanese rivals. 

Also read: 

2023 MG GT redefines the compact sedan segment

MG Philippines may introduce IM LS7 soon

MG PH updates ZS roster with refreshed trims