With the development of digital technology, the model predictive control (MPC) has been widely used in AC drive systems. Firstly, the principles of classical MPC strategies including finite control set MPC strategy and continuous control set MPC strategy were described. Secondly, the research status of the common improved MPC was summarized, such as multistep predictive control, multivector predictive control, predictive control with parameter robustness, generalized model prediction and explicit model prediction, and the relevant research ideas were put forward. Finally, according to the application requirements and research status of MPC, the future research directions that needed to be further deepened and expanded were prospected.