New Mercedes CLA vs Model 3 and MG: Can anyone topple Tesla?
What the MG lacks in eye-dazzling illuminations it makes up for in sheer presence. At 4931mm long, the IM5 is actually closer in size to cars from the class above, such as the BMW i5. It's not exactly distinctive, but the curvaceous and low-slung Chinese saloon does just enough to claim premium credentials.
And the Tesla? The slimmer lights, introduced as part of the 'Highland' update, have kept the Model 3 looking fresh, but such is the car's ubiquity that it fails to get a look-in alongside its newer rivals. That said, the old-stager manages to turn the tables on its rivals when it comes to interior style.
Tesla's minimalist design ethos and large glasshouse - it's the only one with a true panoramic roof, the glass stretching from the top of the windscreen to the base of the rear window - create a bright and airy feel, while the quality and fit and finish of the materials finally match Tesla's premium aspirations.
As ever, the dashboard is dominated by the large touchscreen, which is the easiest to operate here, with crisp responses and logical menus. And did we mention there's now an indicator stalk?
As with its exterior, the Merc's cabin is the most showy, particularly in our test car's garish black and white finish, complete with ambient lighting seemingly lifted from a Stuttgart nightclub. The slab-fronted dash looks a little tacked on and the glossy black finish isn't as upmarket as the brand imagines, but the infotainment almost matches Tesla for slick operation and there are even some physical buttons.
