MG 550 Overview: Generations, Specs, and Which One to Buy
The MG 550 is a front-wheel-drive sedan built from 2009 to 2014 with 1.8-liter engines producing 131 to 160 hp. This overview covers its single generation and the versions worth buying.
The MG 550 is a front-wheel-drive sedan produced from 2009 to 2014 in a single generation, with power outputs ranging from 131 to 160 hp. It suits drivers looking for a mid-size sedan with straightforward mechanicals, a choice of manual or automatic transmission, and moderate fuel consumption in everyday use.
MG 550 generations
1 generation
The first and only generation of the MG 550 was built from 2009 to 2014, exclusively as a sedan with front-wheel drive. The lineup counts 3 modifications, all powered by a 1796 cc engine, with outputs spanning 131 to 160 hp and both manual and automatic gearboxes on offer. The MG 550 1.8 MT (1 generation) is the volume version: it produces 131 hp, accelerates to 100 km/h in 13.2 seconds, and consumes 7.4 l/100km. The MG 550 1.8 AT (160 hp) (1 generation) tops the range with 160 hp, a 10.8-second sprint to 100 km/h, and fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100km.
The gap between the two headline versions is notable given they share the same 1796 cc displacement: the 160 hp automatic is 2.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the 131 hp manual, while using only 0.3 l/100km more fuel. That makes the engine tune, rather than the gearbox alone, the main differentiator within the range. With only front-wheel drive and one body style available, the buying decision effectively comes down to power output and transmission preference.
Which MG 550 to buy
- 1.8 MT (1 generation): the mass-market version of the range, with 131 hp and the lowest fuel consumption in the lineup at 7.4 l/100km.
- 1.8 AT (160 hp) (1 generation): the most powerful MG 550, with 160 hp and the quickest acceleration at 10.8 seconds to 100 km/h.
On the used market, every MG 550 belongs to the same 2009–2014 generation, so there is no later, revised generation to hunt for — condition and history matter more than model year positioning. The single-generation, single-body lineup with just 3 modifications also makes cross-shopping simple: compare the two engine tunes and pick a transmission.