I had the same dilemma but in the end the extra 10k for the facelift version just so I could do things through an app, and it look a bit prettier just wasn’t worth the extra spend.
I have had both the facelift (present car) and the previous MG5. The earlier model has a fair selection of switches and knobs which are a hell of a site easier to use than the computer screen in the middle of the dashboard. That car would also go further on a full charge than the face lifted trophy. Another advantage is that has a printed user manual which you can take into the lounge and peruse at your leisure - if you have the facelifted model you either have to spend a couple of hours sitting in the car or hope you can download a pdf file to your phone. It amazes me that anyone ever works out how to use the satnav on the facelifted trophy because as far as I can find there is no instruction manual anywhere - and it very definitely is not user intuitive! Try putting a second destination in after arriving at your first! A serious deficiency with the earlier car is that it regularly disconnects you from the nice big digital speedo display an insists on telling you how far you are from the car in front! Believe me when I say that I wish to establish this by looking through the windscreen NOT at a display screen in the middle of a steering wheel - yes it has an analogue speedo but this is partially obscured by your hand and not easy to read in the 20, 30, or 40mph. The designer who implemented this feature should be put against a wall and shot - (or take him to see how Volvo implemented it - probably from the same software system). If the government fine you for using a phone in a car how the hell did they let EV’s be built with computer touch screens for virtually all their controls? Madness! Both versions of the MG5 are good value in comparison to other makes, they go well and appear reliable. If you are not a fussy grumpy old Git like me then the 2020 model is fine. You pays your money and makes your own choice.
