Subcompact sedan tussle: The MG 5 vs. Volkswagen Santana

Life has a lot to offer. But between doing the things you love and the tasks you need to accomplish, you need a vehicle like a subcompact sedan to keep up with your daily routine and lifestyle. 

Subcompact sedans like the MG 5 and the Volkswagen Santana can be regarded as your “everyday cars” but with exceptional features that both models have.  

The MG 5 takes pride in both performance and luxury. This subcompact sedan is considered to be the widest and longest in its segment because of its refined lines and expressive style that give it an eye-catching look.

Its exterior design is further enhanced by features like powerful LED headlights that guarantee proper illumination, and the two-tone, 10-spoke alloy wheels that complement the stylish and handsome appeal of the MG 5. 

It also has an electric sunroof that you can take advantage of, especially when the weather is pleasant.

On the other hand, Volkswagen, being a leading global brand, has brought to car buyers and enthusiasts one of the most affordable vehicles in its class, the Volkswagen Santana. 

The Santana is considered an ideal option for those who are looking for a vehicle offering  performance, spaciousness, and functionality.

Aside from its cost-efficiency, the German-engineered sedan can be brought for maintenance once yearly (every 10,000 km), making it more convenient and hassle-free to own the vehicle.

The MG 5 is equipped with a powerful and fuel-efficient engine for a pleasurable driving experience, while the Volkswagen Santana’s engine is mated to an automatic transmission that adjusts to your driving style anytime.  Moreover, the BlueMotion technology of the Santana engine significantly decreases emissions and increases fuel economy.

The British design and heritage of MG appears on the styling of the MG 5, which features not only an large body and long wheelbase, but adequate headroom, generous trunk space, and wide interior. 

Inside, the MG 5 is large enough to hold numerous comfort and convenience features for improved driving such as a keyless entry and push start/stop button, automatic climate control, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system fitted with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a flat-bottom, leather steering wheel with mounted controls so that you remain in control of the wheel, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat that guarantees a comfortable position behind the steering wheel.

The MG 5 also has a suite of safety features such as a 360-degree camera that provides a bird’s-eye view of the car’s surroundings and makes parking easier, as well as numerous airbags, the auto brake hold, cornering brake control, remote central locking, rear parking sensor, reversing camera, cruise control, and tire pressure monitoring system. 

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Santana emphasizes connectivity and entertainment with its Blaupunkt system (for the Santana 180 MPI AT SE variant).

As for safety, the Santana is equipped with electronic stabilization program ESP that monitors crucial driving conditions like possible risks of under or oversteering, skidding, and wheel spinning, thus helping the vehicle remain on its course all the time.

Moreover, the Santana features an electronic engine immobilizer that utilizes coding software to make sure that the right key is used when starting the engine of your vehicle.

Both subcompact sedans are available at an affordable price, but how else do the MG 5 and Volkswagen Santana stack up against one another?

Let us take a look at the features specifically of the MG 5 1.5L CVT Alpha and the Volkswagen Santana 180 MPI AT SE with Blaupunkt variants below:

SPECIFICATIONS	MG 5 1.5L CVT Alpha	Volkswagen Santana 180 MPI AT SE with Blaupunkt
Vehicle type	Subcompact sedan	Subcompact sedan
Length (mm)	4,601	4,475
Width (mm)	1,818	1,706
Height (mm)	1,489	1,469
Wheelbase (mm)	2,680	2,603
Fuel tank capacity (liters)	45	55
Engine	1.5L Inline-4 Cylinder DOHC 16V DVVT	4-cylinder, in-line, Multi-Point Fuel Injection Gasoline Engine with BlueMotion technology
Transmission type	CVT with Manual Mode	6-speed automatic
Displacement (cc)	1,498	1,498
Maximum torque (Nm)	150	150
Maximum output (hp)	112	108
Suspension	(Front) MacPherson Strut (Rear) Torsion Beam	(Front) MacPherson Independent Suspension  (Rear) Composite Torsion Beam Semi-independent Suspension
Brake system	(Front) Ventilated Disc (Rear) Solid Disc	(Front) Front Ventilated Disc (Rear) Rear Drum
Steering System	3-Mode EPS	Electronic Power Steering
Steering Column	Adjustable	Adjustable
Wheels	Two-tone 16-inch Alloy	6J x 15-inch Alloy
Tires	205/55R16	185/60R15
Headlamps	LED-type  With Automatic On/Off Headlamps, Projector Headlamps with Levelling	Halogen-type  With Adjustable Headlights
Daytime running lamps	With (LED)	Without
Wiper	Frameless	With
Seat material	MG Leather-Style	Fabric
Seats and Seat Features	6-way Power Driver's Seat 4-Way Electric Passenger Seat Single Fold Rear Seats With Driver's Seat Manual Lumbar Support and Front Seat Heating	All Adjustable, Height-Adjustable Driver’s Seat Foldable Rear Seats With Rear Seat Heating and Rear Seat Headrest
Seatbelts	With Driver Seatbelt Reminder and 3-Point Seatbelt for Rear Middle Seat	With Rear Seatbelts, Seatbelt Warning, and Height-Adjustable Front Seatbelts
Power Windows	One-touch Up/Down Function with Anti-Pinch (Driver Window Only)	With (Front)
Air-Conditioner	With (Electric)	With
Keyless Entry	With (Remote and Passive)	With
Push Button/Start Stop	With	With
Touchscreen	10-inch color display	N/A
Speakers	With (6)	With
Bluetooth connectivity	With	With
Power outlets	5 (USB)	With
Audio	Radio (AM/FM Receiver)	Radio (AM/FM Receiver), Integrated 2DIN Audio
Airbags	Driver and Passenger, Side, Curtain	Driver and Front Passenger
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	With	With
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)	With	With
Brake Assist (BA)	With	Without
Electronic Stability	With (Electronic Stability Control)	With (Electronic Stabilization Program)
Electric Parking Brake	With	Without
Child Locks	With	With
Available colors	Moon White, Meteorite Black, Carbon Gray, Extreme Speed Red, Morning Gold, Laser Blue	Polar White, Reflex Silver, Deep Black, Grey
PRICE	P938,888	P993,000

 

Photos from MG Philippines and Volkswagen Philippines