The previous MG 3 was low-cost and pretty good-looking to take a look at, so it’s no shock it offered like gangbusters.
That was regardless of its moaning and gutless powertrain, an absence of driver help know-how and usually regarding degree of security efficiency, and a pervasive sense of cheapness, all the way down to the robust petrochemical odor of its plastics.
The brand new MG 3, launched in Australia in 2024, is a vastly superior providing in virtually each method… although it’s costlier. After chopping and altering costs a bit, the MG 3 continues to be costlier than its predecessor however extra inexpensive than rivals on this ever-dwindling section.
It’s additionally considered one of simply two automobiles on this section to supply a traditional hybrid powertrain, with the opposite being the Toyota Yaris. Thoughts you, there are different economical choices with much less or no electrification, so whereas the section has shrunk, there’s nonetheless loads of competitors for the MG 3.
How a lot does the MG 3 value?
The MG 3 lineup consists of three petrol-powered variants and two hybrids.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 MG 3 Vibe | $21,990 |
| 2025 MG 3 Excite | $23,990 |
| 2025 MG 3 Essence | $25,990 |
| 2025 MG 3 Hybrid+ Excite | $27,990 |
| 2025 MG 3 Hybrid+ Essence | $29,990 |
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid vary, for context, opens at $28,990 earlier than on-road prices.
Use our comparability software to see how the MG 3 Essence compares to its rivals.
What’s the MG 3 like on the within?
The MG 3’s inside has unquestionably been constructed to a value, however that doesn’t imply MG sacrificed type or practicality.
There’s a good-looking dashboard design with a symmetrical, dual-cowl structure. The 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen handle to have a free-standing look and but look neatly built-in.
Orange stitching particulars add a pop of color, whereas a strip of patterned trim runs throughout the dashboard, and has an analogous sample to the upholstery within the previous MG 3. That is plastic, nevertheless.
Supplies are a mixture of soft-touch however not particularly upscale leatherette throughout the entrance of the sprint and on the door playing cards, and exhausting plastic for the tops of the sprint and doorways.
We’d fortunately sacrifice a few of that soft-touch trim for softer trim on the perimeters of the centre console the place your knees could relaxation, as like in lots of inexpensive automobiles it’s unpleasantly exhausting down right here.
Likewise, we’d fortunately sacrifice the gloss black trim used on the centre console and centre stack, which in our freshly cleaned tester was already gathering mud.
There are some significantly cheap-looking trim items, like the facility window surrounds, whereas the dashboard does bow within the center should you press it, whereas the glove field lid slams open.
Countering these are well-damped stalks, whereas the atmosphere is improved by using a darkish headliner and LED lighting for the vainness mirrors (although not the dome mild).
A part of the rationale the MG 3’s inside seems so neat and up to date is as a result of MG has sacrificed a lot in the way in which of bodily switchgear. There’s only one row of bodily buttons under the touchscreen, and solely two of those relate to the local weather management.
Whereas we admire the 2 square-shaped toggles on the steering wheel could be programmed to regulate temperature and fan pace, we’d love for MG to incorporate a few buttons or toggles for these on the centre stack the place a passenger can simply attain.
Because it stands, a passenger might want to regulate them on the touchscreen. If smartphone mirroring is getting used, this implies urgent the house button after which tapping the local weather widget on the house display screen – not too laborious, however not as straightforward as a bodily management both.
MG’s newest era of infotainment is extra engaging and intuitive than ever, with fashionable graphics and an anchored shortcut bar that seems on the right-hand aspect of the display screen except you’re utilizing smartphone mirroring.
It’s let down by an absence of wi-fi smartphone mirroring, in addition to a reversing digicam that appears like safety cam footage from the 2000s.
The digital instrument cluster is neat, and provides off Volkswagen ID vibes.
MG designers could not have taken a lot inspiration from the MG model’s again catalogue, however they seem to have been impressed by the Allegro from defunct sister model Austin. Like that small automobile from the Seventies, there’s a giant, oddly square-shaped steering wheel.
For a urethane tiller, it doesn’t really feel too dangerous. However it feels far too massive, and it’s awkward in operation.
The seats have engaging material upholstery and really feel good and delicate, an indicator of recent Chinese language automobiles. However whereas they’re a lot squishier than rivals’, they have been nonetheless supportive in additional spirited driving.
Storage up entrance is spectacular. There’s a shelf on the base of the centre stack, just under the one USB-A and USB-C shops, which is massive sufficient for a cell phone.
Transferring alongside the centre console, there are two cupholders with a detachable divider, whereas there’s additionally a deep storage cubby forward of the centre console bin and armrest. The centre console reminds us of SUVs just like the Honda CR-V, such is its versatility. It’s let down considerably by the dearth of a rubberised flooring, although, so issues will rattle round some.
The storage doesn’t finish with the centre console, because the cavernous bottle holders within the doorways can simply match 1.5L water bottles from Woolworths.
Moreover an absence of bodily switchgear, the one gripes we’ve concerning the entrance of the cabin are the oddly positioned door lock controls (on the sprint to the proper of the steering wheel) and sloping door playing cards that make it exhausting to relaxation your arms up excessive.
Step into the again and when you gained’t discover a fold-down centre armrest or map pockets, you can see rear air vents (hardly a given on this section!) plus a USB outlet.
There’s a somewhat tall centre tunnel that eats into the legroom of the centre-seat occupant, although as with each automobile on this section we wouldn’t be seating three abreast again right here, anyway.
There’s a adequate quantity of headroom and legroom for 2 passengers round 180cm tall, nevertheless I discovered my head brushed the roof barely if I sat again.
There are three top-tether anchor factors for baby seats, in addition to ISOFIX factors for the outboard seats.
Unusually, the rear seat folds in a single piece as a substitute of being cut up 60:40. Petrol MG 3s, nevertheless, supply correct split-fold flexibility.
Boot area is aggressive for the category, with a capability of 293L. However you gained’t discover even a space-saver spare within the MG 3 Hybrid+, as that’s reserved for petrol fashions. As a substitute, there’s solely a tyre restore equipment.
| Dimensions | MG 3 |
|---|---|
| Size | 4113mm |
| Width | 1797mm |
| Top | 1502mm |
| Wheelbase | 2570mm |
| Cargo capability | 293L (seats up) |
To see how the MG 3 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
What’s beneath the bonnet?
There’s a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine supplied within the MG 3, however we’ve put the 1.5-litre hybrid to the check.
| Specs | MG 3 Hybrid+ |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl hybrid |
| Engine outputs | 75kW/128Nm |
| System outputs | 155kW/425Nm |
| Battery | 1.83kWh |
| Transmission | 3-speed computerized |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1298kg |
| 0-100km/h (as examined) | 8.8 seconds |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 4.3L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 5.6L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 36L |
| Gasoline requirement | 95 octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 100g/km |
| Braked tow capability | 500kg |
Whereas the MG 3 is economical, it’s not as thrifty as a Toyota Yaris. The official declare for the MG 3 is a complete 1.0L/100km increased than the Japanese hatch, and we weren’t in a position to match it.
Not solely that, however the Yaris is joyful to run on cheaper common unleaded gasoline whereas the MG 3 requires 95-octane premium unleaded.
We noticed gasoline consumption of 5.1L/100km on a spirited mountain run, so the MG 3 is nothing if not constant. After per week behind the wheel and over 350km of driving, we recorded a determine of 5.6L/100km, though we noticed 5.2L/100km over a standardised inner-city, suburban, and freeway driving loop.
To see how the MG 3 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How does the MG 3 drive?
I can truthfully say the MG 3 proved to be one of the vital nice surprises of all of the automobiles I’ve pushed this yr, till it delivered an disagreeable shock.
Let’s begin with the highlights. The hybrid powertrain is splendidly punchy, and off the road this looks like an EV earlier than the petrol engine (quietly) fires up.
Which means there’s ample torque accessible off the road, and a formidable degree of refinement. You may additionally be stunned to see the automobile staying in EV mode at speeds of as much as 80km/h, although likewise the petrol engine will often hearth up unexpectedly.
Positive, like many hybrids the MG 3 makes some grumbly noises upon startup, sounding such as you’ve left your fridge door open for too lengthy. However it’s spectacular how clean the transitions between petrol and electrical energy are, and the way properly the cabin is insulated from the sound of the combustion engine.
You’ll hear a bit of little bit of tyre roar and wind rustle, however even when the automobile is revving out to 5000rpm the engine doesn’t make a racket.
The MG 3 was revving that tough due to a weird challenge we encountered on a drive by the mountains, one we’ve skilled within the associated ZS Hybrid+ earlier than.
It occurred a number of instances when the battery readout within the instrument cluster displayed only one bar. This could in concept make the petrol engine do the heavy lifting, and but the primary time this occurred – admittedly on a reasonably steep grade – I used to be urgent the accelerator pedal firmly nevertheless it wouldn’t go above 35km/h.
It gained extra battery cost throughout the drive, however once more when it dropped down to at least one bar the automobile skilled a big lack of energy. This time, with my foot rattling close to welded to the ground, the automobile wouldn’t go above 54km/h.
A spirited mountain drive is hardly going to be a standard driving situation for an MG 3, however we’re involved there are way more widespread driving situations the place this lack of energy might happen and show harmful. Think about attempting to overhaul one other automobile and never having the ability to stand up to the pace restrict.
Discover out extra
Discover out extra concerning the automobile
A repair has been launched for the ZS, however up to now MG has but to announce timing for a repair for the MG 3 regardless of it used the identical hybrid system.
That challenge apart, nevertheless – and it’s a problem that may’t be merely brushed apart – the MG 3 is surprisingly pleasing to drive. Sure, you possibly can have enjoyable in an MG 3.
It’s extra than simply the peppy powertrain that makes it pleasing. The steering has an honest quantity of street really feel and good weighting, whereas turn-in is sharp and grip is surprisingly good from the Kumho Solus tyres – we barely heard them squeal in additional vigorous driving, and we had no actual points with entrance wheel spin.
There’s a contact extra physique roll than, say, a Volkswagen Polo, nevertheless it’s all fairly properly managed and the MG 3 can actually cling in there within the corners. It makes the automobile surprisingly pleasing given it’s not supposed to be a sporty hatch.
The MG 3 additionally has a typically comfy trip. It lapped up some significantly poorly surfaced roads, although it could actually nonetheless be jostled by sure issues like manhole covers.
There’s a contact extra float to the trip than European rivals, however general MG has struck an excellent stability by way of trip consolation.
There are three selectable ranges of regenerative braking, and the instrument cluster will let you know how a lot power is being recuperated. It additionally tells you whether or not the automobile is working in hybrid or EV mode, whereas you may also pull up a small power stream readout.
The energetic security and driver help know-how wants work. The lane-keep help defaults to off, fortunately, however even with the emergency lane-keep help left on and placed on the bottom sensitivity, you possibly can nonetheless really feel the steering wheel being tugged. The lane-keep programs are just too intrusive, and shall be a big adjustment for somebody popping out of an previous MG 3.
Talking of changes, the lane centring – activated by urgent the steering wheel button on the steering wheel – appears to make 1000’s of them. Like within the bigger MG 4, the system feels nervous and makes the steering wheel squirm round in your fingers such as you’re holding a pair of possums.
Generally the assists will simply beep at you for causes we are able to’t fairly fathom, for instance telling you you’ve crossed a lane marking once you haven’t.
The automated high-beam can also be overly cautious, dipping the lights even when there’s no discernible mild supply.
There’s an overspeed alert, which might often be annoying however the alert sound is so delicate you may’t even discover it. You’ll be able to nonetheless flip it off, must you need.
What do you get?
The MG 3 is obtainable in three completely different trim ranges: Vibe, Excite and Essence. The hybrid is barely accessible within the two highest gear grades.
There are some uncommon variations between petrol and hybrid fashions. For instance, solely petrol fashions get tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment.
2025 MG 3 Vibe gear highlights:
- 15-inch metal wheels
- Tyre restore equipment
- Digital parking brake
- Auto maintain
- Computerized halogen headlights
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Cloth upholstery
- 6-way handbook driver’s seat
- 4-way handbook passenger seat
- Single foldable second-row seat
- Single-zone air-conditioning
- Rear air vents
- 6-speaker sound system
- 1 x entrance USB-A outlet
- 1 x USB-C outlet
- 1 x USB outlet at rear-view mirror
- 1x rear USB-A outlet
The Excite provides:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- House-saver spare (petrol solely)
- Push-button begin
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- 60:40 cut up/fold rear seats (petrol solely)
The Essence provides:
- Projector LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Sunroof
- Proximity entry
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- 1-year iSmart connectivity
- DAB+ digital radio
- PU/cloth upholstery
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Sun shades holder
- Rear map pocket
- PU door and armrest trim
- Rear studying lights
To see how the MG 3 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
Is the MG 3 secure?
The brand new MG 3 wears a three-star ANCAP security ranking, primarily based on checks carried out in 2024.
| Class | MG 3 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 72 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 74 per cent |
| Susceptible street consumer safety | 76 per cent |
| Security help | 58 per cent |
Normal security gear on all MG 3s contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise management
- Clever Cruise Help
- Lane-keep help
- Emergency lane-keep help
- Reversing digicam
- Tyre strain monitoring
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
Excite and up embody:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Essence fashions additionally obtain a surround-view digicam however unusually solely petrol fashions have a far-side airbag.
To see how the MG 3 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
How a lot does the MG 3 value to run?
MG Motor Australia provides a beneficiant 10-year/250,000km guarantee throughout its whole mannequin vary (together with EVs and hybrids just like the MG 3) for personal consumers, and a seven-year/160,000km guarantee for enterprise clients.
| Servicing and Guarantee | MG 3 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 10 years or 250,000km |
| Roadside help | 7 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years or 70,000km |
| Whole capped-price service value | $2045 |
To see how the MG 3 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 3
The MG 3 largely follows the present widespread Chinese language automobile components: squishy seats, so-so ADAS tech, and an incredible value.
Not like some Chinese language automobiles, nevertheless, it’s really fairly pleasing to drive. The premium over the petrol engine gives you some gasoline financial savings, nevertheless it’ll take a while so that you can recoup the distinction.
However don’t consider the premium over the usual petrol engine as being merely to get higher gasoline economic system. With the hybrid, you get a extra sprightly powertrain too, which makes the premium really feel value it.
That the most affordable MG 3 Hybrid+’s checklist value can also be $1000 lower than the most affordable Toyota Yaris Hybrid – not taking into consideration MG’s common drive-away offers – additionally places ahead a compelling case for the Chinese language hatch.
There’s an actual caveat right here, although – we merely wouldn’t purchase one till the repair for the hybrid system is deployed. Whereas we solely encountered it in a single specific driving situation, it’s sufficient of an issue to make us reluctant to advocate the Hybrid+… a minimum of for now.
It’s an actual disgrace as earlier than this downside reared its head, the MG 3 had proved to be one of the vital nice surprises of any automobile I’d pushed this yr.
Excited about shopping for a MG 3? Let CarExpert discover you the perfect deal right here
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