MG MG IM5

Whatever kind of IM5 you choose, you're unlikely to be disappointed in its lack of speed.

But speed isn't everything when it comes to driver satisfaction, as many EVs before this one have effectively proved.

Even the base 75kWh Standard Range rear-driven model you will choose to side-step the UK government's luxury car tax has a healthy 291bhp and a reasonable (though hardly exceptional) 304 miles of range.

It makes 62mph in 6.8s en route to 124mph.

MG expects the majority of customers to choose the 100kWh Long Range model, also rear-driven, which offers 402bhp and boosts range to 441 miles.

This makes 62mph in 4.9s on the way to 136mph. In the unlikely event that this output is insufficient, there's also a top Performance model, a real super saloon.

This has the same 100kWh battery and 402bhp rear motor as the Long Range derivative.

But adds another identical motor on the front axle to create a dual motor AWD powertrain with a fairly shocking 742bhp.

62mph? Allow just 3.2s en route to a most un-EV-like 166mph.

Range is 357 miles.

On the Performance version, to scrub off all that speed there's a bespoke Continental braking system with three 'force' calibrations - 'Comfort', 'Standard' and 'Sport'.

What you can't have on any IM5 is adaptive damping with air springs - which is curious because such a set-up can be had on the similarly-engineered IM6 SUV. Across the range, you get five driving modes ('Super Eco', 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Custom').

And two regenerative braking modes ('Standard' and 'Low').

On the highway expect exceptional refinement, aided by a clever noise-cancelling system and the super-slippery 0.23Cd drag coefficient.

All models come with four-wheel steering.

And the car can perform so-called 'One Touch' parking manoeuvres; with this, if you get yourself into a tight situation, say down a dead-end street, the car will slowly reverse itself along the exact line it came in on - for up to 100-metres: neat.

It seems strange to come across an MG quite this big.

At 4,931mm long, the IM5 is almost as big as a full-sized Mercedes EQE-style executive saloon and is a substantial 211mm longer than its closest rival, Tesla's Model 3.

The styling was overseen by Slovakian designer Josef Kaban (best known for the Bugatti Veyron) and is longer, narrower and much lower than the IM6 SUV this model shares its engineering with.

Interestingly, there are no actual MG logos on the car; just 'MG' in a strange IM typeface on the boot lid.

There are power-operated door handles that spring out to meet you and big 19-inch wheels.

And underneath is a platform shared with Audi's China-only 'AUDI' brand. There's nothing very Audi about the cabin though, which has a 26.3-inch 'immersive' screen at the top of the dash for instruments and infotainment, plus another 10.5-inch monitor embedded in the centre stack.

The design is clean and uncluttered, using materials of decent quality with lots of soft faux leather surfacing, but design character is lacking and if you're hoping for a premium brand ambiance, you'll be a bit disappointed.

Somehow, Tesla does the whole minimalist thing rather better and things that Chinese buyers like (the lack of switchgear and chintzy touches like crushed velvet floor mats) don't go down quite so well in Europe. Screen menus are required for just about everything, including important items like the headlights, fog lights, wing mirrors and ventilation.

Still, the pleated seats feel lovely and there's a glorious 20-speaker premium audio system.

You won't be as impressed by rearward visibility, compromised by the small rear screen and the narrow rear view mirror. You might hope for a little more space in the back from a near-5-metre-long luxury saloon (and more than one rear USB port).

But it's certainly not cramped, there's plenty of knee room and you get a light, airy feel thanks to the large glass panoramic roof.

The floor level is a bit high though, so taller folk will find their knees a little nearer to their chins than would be the case in a conventionally-powered saloon.

We should point out by the way, that this isn't actually a saloon, even though it's usually classified as such.

The rear hatch rises to reveal a 457-litre space, which is decent but not especially impressive by class standards.

Fold the rear seat and the space expands to 1,290-litres.

There's also an 18-litre under-bonnet 'frunk'.

From launch, IM5 prices started at £39,450 for the base version with the 75kWh battery and 400V system, rising to £44,995 for the 100kWh 800V rear-driven model.

The top Long Range Performance variant will cost you £48,495.

Surprise, surprise, these figures virtually replicate what you have to pay for equivalent versions of a rival Tesla Model 3.

And there's a £3,000 model-for-model saving over equivalent versions of the IM6 SUV. As you expect, equipment levels are extremely high.

There are big 19-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, power-folding mirrors, a powered tailgate, laminated glass, keyless entry, one-touch automatic park assist, MG's road noise cancellation system and a heat pump.

For the cabin, there are two colour scheme choices (bright and white or grey and rather sombre).

And all models get heated and ventilated six-way-powered electric seats with smart pleated ultra-soft faux leather upholstery and adjustable lumbar support.

You also get a huge thermal insulation panoramic roof, a 20-speaker premium sound system, a cooled front armrest storage cubby, a 256-colour ambient lighting set-up and heated rear seats.

You also get a ventilated 50W 'phone charging tray and a Vehicle-to-Load charging system so that you can plug external devices into the car's drive battery. All the latest camera safety features come included.

And MG has built in a Intelligent Comfort Stop braking system (which reduces stopping jerkiness) and added Hydroplaning Stability Control (which apparently reduces the chance of losing control in slippery conditions by up to 80%).

The IM5 straddles both sides of what are currently two great debates.

Whether an aspiring mid-sized EV of this sort should cost under £40,000.

And whether it should stick with a slower-charging but cheaper 400V infrastructure, or move to a quick-to-charge but expensive 800V set-up. Those on the more affordable side of both arguments are targeted by the base 75kWh model with its older-tech LFP battery and 400V infrastructure - a set-up not available on the IM6 SUV.

The 75kWh battery can only charge at up to 152kW.

That means a 10-80% DC top-up will take an unexceptional 26 minutes.

AC charging takes 11 hours 20 minutes using a 7.4kW wallbox. The bigger-battery versions are a whole generation on - and are ready for future solid-state battery technology.

The 100kWh Long Range and Performance derivatives use an NMC unit with an 800V architecture and a 396kW DC peak charging rate that embarrasses the 250kW figure of Tesla.

So this 100kWh MG can 10-80% DC charge in just 17 minutes.

AC charging takes around 14 hours using a 7.4kW wallbox - or around 12 hours using an 11kW wallbox.

Across the line-up, a standard heat pump maintains range in cold temperatures. Like MG's cheaper cars, this IM5 comes with an impressive seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty as standard - which is better than most rival brands can offer, though they do better this MG when it comes to roadside assistance (which here runs out after a year).

MG's full warranty isn't the only seven year package available in this segment - rival Kia offers a seven-year 100,000 mile package - but MG still reckons its deal is preferable because it's backed by full factory support throughout, whereas direct manufacturer support for rival warranties declines the longer they go on.

In many cases they don't go on too long. The warranty is fully transferrable to future owners.

Additionally, there's a six year factory warranty against rust, while a year's breakdown cover is also part of the deal.

At dealers, a full digital service record of checks and maintenance provides the customer with complete transparency and full access to the service history of their vehicle.

You'll be offered a range of MG servicing plans to spread the cost of maintenance for up to seven years.

There's lots to like here.

Value at one end of the line-up; and startling speed at the other.

If you can stretch to the single motor 100kWh model, you'll also get class-leading charging speed and a driving range figure that's difficult to beat.

Some will like the styling and the nicely trimmed cabin; others won't find it quite distinctive enough and will dislike the fact that so many essential features lie buried in screen menus. Whatever your perspective, you'd have to admit that MG is offering you a lot of car for the money here, in the process throwing down a significant challenge to market leaders Tesla.

If you're considering that American maker's popular Model 3, the IM5 is a must-try alternative.

It's not quite right first time.

But as a first-time luxury product for this Chinese brand, it's mighty impressive nonetheless.