Verdict
At RM11,432 less, the MG S5 is the stronger numbers-led choice: its 168 hp/250 Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds, against the HR-V’s 119 hp/145 Nm and 12.1 seconds, while its 49 kWh battery is rated for 340 km. It also brings a 453-litre boot and seven airbags. The Honda answers with petrol refuelling, a 40-litre tank, 18-inch wheels and an unlimited-km five-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge, the MG’s price gap buys more performance and practicality.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want petrol power, a space-saver spare wheel and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty cover.
Pick the MG S5 if you can charge an EV and want lower purchase cost, far quicker acceleration, a larger boot and more safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Honda HR-V RM115,900; MG S5 RM104,468.
- Power and torque: Honda HR-V 119 hp and 145 Nm; MG S5 168 hp and 250 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda HR-V 12.1 seconds; MG S5 7.0 seconds.
- Boot space: Honda HR-V 335 litres; MG S5 453 litres.
- Airbags: Honda HR-V four; MG S5 seven.
- Rear suspension: Honda HR-V torsion beam; MG S5 multi-link.
HR-V
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- 18-inch alloy wheels and a space-saver spare tyre.
- ULTRA Seat rear arrangement with recline and 60:40 split-folding.
- 12.1-second 0-100 km/h time versus the MG S5’s 7.0 seconds.
- 335-litre boot versus the MG S5’s 453 litres.
- Four airbags and no blind spot information system, against seven airbags and blind spot monitoring.
S5
- 168 hp, 250 Nm motor and 7.0-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- 453-litre boot and longer 2,730 mm wheelbase.
- Seven airbags, blind spot information system and 120 kW DC charging.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Honda HR-V’s space-saver spare wheel.
- 150,000 km manufacturer warranty mileage limit, where the Honda HR-V warranty has unlimited mileage.
- 17-inch wheels versus the Honda HR-V’s 18-inch alloys.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,900 | RM104,468✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 168 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 120 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | 7.0 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,476 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,849 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,730 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres | 453 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Black Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Fabric; Six-way Manual Driver Seat, Four-way Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | Battery pack 8-yr/180,000 km; motor control unit 8-yr/160,000 km |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used HR-V & S5 for sale
HR-V vs S5 FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or MG S5 better?
The MG S5 is better if home or workplace charging suits you: it costs RM11,432 less, is 5.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, has a 118-litre larger boot and adds three airbags. Choose the HR-V for petrol use and unlimited-km warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The MG S5 costs RM104,468 and the Honda HR-V costs RM115,900, so the MG is RM11,432 cheaper.
Which has the longer driving range?
Only the MG S5 has an EV range rating: 340 km from its 49 kWh battery. The Honda HR-V is petrol-powered, with a 40-litre fuel tank rather than an EV battery range figure.
