IM5 and IM6 Performance: Tesla’s Throne Is Under Threat

Why IM5 and IM6 Might Knock Tesla Off Its Podium

Despite the slings, arrows, and occasional keyboard warrior tantrum, Tesla remains one of the world’s best-selling EV brands. The Model Y is the reigning queen of single-model sales, while BYD and Toyota squabble over brand-level bragging rights. But IM—MG’s premium EV arm—might just knock all of them off their perches.

Fire-Free and Fighting Falsehoods

IM claims, somewhat bizarrely, that of the several hundred thousand cars sold, there have been no fires. It’s a pointed rebuttal to the anti-EV crowd, who peddle myths about battery infernos while ignoring the fact that ICE vehicles are ten times more likely to combust. But logic rarely wins on Facebook.

Who Is IM, and Why Should You Care?

IM is a joint venture between SAIC and Alibaba, sold in Australia by MG and supported by its existing dealer network. That means servicing is a breeze—tyre rotations, filter swaps, and not much else. Brakes last for hundreds of thousands of kilometres, there’s no filthy oil to wrangle, and the whole experience is cleaner, quieter, and less of a burden.

Battery, Battery, Battery

The usual suspects love to hate on batteries, despite relying on them for everything from shavers to pleasure devices. The IM5 and IM6 Performance models come armed with 100kWh NMC batteries, 800v architecture (closer to 880v), and 396kW DC fast charging. That’s 30% to 80% in 15 minutes—if you can find a charger that isn’t powered by nostalgia and bakelite. Australia’s charging infrastructure is still stuck in the plug-and-cord-switchboard era.

Looks and Layout

Specifications HERE:IM Presented by MG Motor Proudly Launches in Australia_Press Release MG_IM5_Brochure

IM’s styling is a remix of Tesla’s greatest hits, with a few flourishes of its own. The silhouette channels Model 3 and Y, but the execution feels more grown-up. The front end could use a Juniper-style smoothing—those chunky headlights interrupt an otherwise sleek body.

Pop-out door handles add a touch of theatre, and the car-shaped key is a cute nod to the brand’s playful side. The frunk offers extra storage, and the IM badge—two zeros and two ones—doubles as a rear hatch opener. It’s subtle, clever, and just a bit nerdy.

Inside, the cabin swaps buttons for screens. A gently curved 26” display merges the driver cluster and infotainment, while a large tablet below handles climate, media, and everything else. It’s clean, but not without quirks. The ball-shaped wheel toggles mimic Tesla’s, and the column stalks follow the same left-right split: lights and indicators on the left, gear and cruise on the right.

There’s no HUD, which feels like a missed opportunity for a brand that calls itself “Intelligence in Motion.” Instead, you get a phone app that shortcuts the startup routine—handy, since disabling the Euro-mandated gongs for speed changes requires a bit of menu spelunking. Once set, preferences stick.

Rear passengers get a treat: clever magnetic phone and tablet holders that snap onto the backs of the front seats. There’s also a mount on the dashboard—ideal for navigation or doomscrolling at the lights. The magnets are strong—almost too strong. Repeated removal risks damaging the simulated cow, so best to set and forget. I didn’t test a tablet, but I’d wager heavier devices might struggle to stay put.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Review – 2025 IM’s new Performance EVs—the IM5 and IM6—are here to challenge Tesla’s dominance.

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ABOVE: IM 5 and IM 6

Tech Quirks and Chinglish Charms

We noticed a few hiccups. The DAB+ radio refused to play after restarting the car, requiring a station toggle workaround. Climate controls are buried in menus, and vent adjustment is electronic—an eventual failure waiting to happen. One menu even features “Emergence Lane Keeping,” a delightful bit of Chinglish yet to be corrected.

The main screen offers camera views galore, including a rear feed that really belongs in the mirror. DVR functionality requires an SD card.

Digital Chassis and Driving Dynamics

IM’s “digital chassis” is a network of sensors and computers that adjust suspension and steering on the fly. Smart air suspension offers magic carpet waft or sporty firmness—thankfully not the rock-hard nonsense favoured by Eurosnobs. Four-wheel steering shrinks the turning circle to 9.98m (10.18m for IM6), and crab-walk helps with tight parking. Chinese owners can even send the IM6 off to park itself, though whether it respects “Reserved for…” signage remains unclear.

Comfort, Speed, and Moose-Test Glory

Front seats are heated, cooled, massaging, and nap-ready. Recline, play calming sounds, and drift off while the screens display tranquil wallpaper. Performance is gently startling: 0–100km/h in 3.2s (IM5) and 3.4s (IM6), delivered without the neck-snapping brutality of early Teslas.

Fun fact: the IM5 holds the moose test record at 90.96km/h, dethroning the Citroën Xantia after 26 years. That’s not just impressive—it’s camp.

Smart Cruise and Lane Change Drama

Auto Lane Change is part of the smart cruise suite. Indicate, and the car changes lanes—unless you grip the wheel like Great Aunty Ag during turbulence or let go entirely. Too tight or too loose, and the system throws a hissy fit. Intervention switches it to radar cruise, and lane control sulks.

Final Thoughts

At $80,990 drive-away, the IM twins match Tesla and Kia, undercut Volvo and Polestar, and leave Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N looking like a track toy for people who never track. The ADAS suite needs a bit of polish, likely due to China’s dialled-down autonomy settings, but the rest is a ballet of tech and comfort.

For drivers already fond of EVs, the IM6 is perfection. For everyone else, it’s a velvet revolution.

IM5 & IM6 Performance – Key Specs & Pricing (Australia)

• Model Types: IM5 (sedan), IM6 (SUV)
• Drive-away Price: $80,990 AUD for Performance AWD trim
• Battery: 100kWh NMC
• Architecture: 800V (actual ~880V)
• Charging:
  • DC fast charging: 396kW
  • AC charging: 11kW
  • 30–80% charge in ~15 minutes
• Performance:
  • IM5: 0–100km/h in 3.2 seconds
  • IM6: 0–100km/h in 3.4 seconds
  • Torque: Up to 802Nm
  • Power: Up to 572kW
• Range (WLTP):
  • IM5: Up to 755km
  • IM6: Up to 670km
• Drive System: Dual-motor AWD
• Suspension: Smart air suspension with adjustable ride modes
• Steering: Four-wheel steering with crab-walk function
• Interior Tech:
  • 26.3” panoramic display + 10.5” control tablet
  • 20-speaker HD audio system
  • Heated/cooled/massage seats with nap mode
  • Magnetic phone/tablet mounts (rear seats + dashboard)
• ADAS Features: Auto Lane Change, Smart Cruise, AI-assisted parking
• Warranty:

• 7-year unlimited km (vehicle)
• 8-year/160,000km (battery)
• 5-year unlimited km (air suspension + steering systems)

#IM5, #IM6, #MGMotor, #EVreview, #TeslaChallenger, #ElectricVehicles, #MooseTestRecord, #IMAustralia, #EVPerformance, #BatteryTech, #SmartSuspension, #ADAS, #800vCharging

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