MG3 Review

The current MG3 arrived in 2024 as a complete replacement for the long-running previous model. It is larger, more sophisticated and substantially more modern, with a contemporary interior, stronger safety equipment and a choice of petrol or hybrid power.

The launch range consisted solely of the MG3 Hybrid+, which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a powerful electric motor and a relatively large battery for a self-charging hybrid. MG subsequently added a conventional 1.5-litre petrol model with a five-speed manual gearbox, reducing the entry price and giving buyers an alternative to the automatic-only hybrid.

The two drivetrains give the MG3 broader appeal than before. The petrol suits drivers who want a straightforward and affordable small hatchback, while the Hybrid+ is better suited to stop-start traffic, urban journeys and buyers who prefer an automatic.

The Hybrid+ is also unusually powerful for the class, producing a combined 194PS. That gives it performance closer to some warm hatchbacks than economy-focused rivals such as the Toyota Yaris Hybrid or Renault Clio E-Tech.

Its ability to travel for short periods using electric power improves refinement in town, while the petrol engine provides the flexibility required for longer journeys without external charging.

The petrol model is offered only in SE trim, while Hybrid+ buyers can choose between SE and Trophy. Both specifications include more equipment than many similarly priced alternatives, with Trophy adding heated seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and a 360-degree camera.

The MG3 competes with the Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris, Skoda Fabia, Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208, Suzuki Swift and Dacia Sandero. It undercuts many of them while offering more power and standard equipment, although the Skoda has substantially more luggage space and the Toyota uses a more polished hybrid system.

The MG3 Hybrid+ SE is the best all-round version because it combines the stronger drivetrain with a generous standard specification and the lowest hybrid price.

Its 194PS output provides immediate urban acceleration and useful performance on faster roads, while the automatic transmission suits the hybrid system particularly well.

SE includes 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, navigation, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also has a seven-inch driver display, adaptive cruise control and the MG Pilot package of assistance systems.

The petrol SE is worth considering for drivers who cover limited annual mileage and want the lowest possible purchase price. Its manual gearbox and lower output make it less effortless than the Hybrid+, while its fuel economy is less impressive.

The MG3 petrol SE costs £17,495 and is the cheapest model in the range. The MG3 Hybrid+ SE is priced at £19,495, while the Hybrid+ Trophy costs £21,495.

That gives the range a straightforward £4,000 spread from the entry-level petrol to the most highly equipped hybrid. The MG3 remains less expensive than many similarly equipped versions of the Renault Clio, Peugeot 208, Vauxhall Corsa and Toyota Yaris.

The Renault Clio E-Tech has a more polished hybrid system, a larger boot and a more upmarket cabin. It costs more in an equivalent specification.

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is exceptionally efficient in town and has a strong reliability record. Its engine becomes noisy under hard acceleration and rear space is tighter.

The Skoda Fabia offers much more boot space and a refined driving experience. It is not available with a full-hybrid drivetrain.

The Suzuki Swift is lighter, simpler and extremely economical. It is slower and has a smaller boot.

The Dacia Sandero provides more space for less money. It lacks the MG3’s performance, hybrid technology and standard equipment.

The driving position is lower and more conventional than it was in the previous MG3, helping the driver feel more integrated with the car rather than perched above the controls.

The front seats are broader and more supportive, while seat-height adjustment allows most people to find a comfortable position. The steering wheel adjusts for height but not reach, however, which can compromise the driving position for taller or shorter drivers.

Front headroom and legroom are generous for a supermini, while the cabin is wide enough for two adults to sit without feeling cramped. Storage includes useful door pockets, cupholders, a tray ahead of the gear selector and a compartment beneath the centre armrest.

Rear access is slightly restricted by the door opening, but space is respectable once passengers are seated. Two adults can travel comfortably enough, with more legroom than in a Vauxhall Corsa, although taller occupants may find headroom tight.

The centre seat is narrow and best kept for occasional use. Isofix mounting points are fitted to the two outer rear positions, and the available space should accommodate a pair of child seats without making the cabin unusually difficult to use.

Behind them, the boot holds 293 litres with the rear seats upright. That is enough for a weekly shop, several smaller bags or a compact pushchair, but it is below the class average and considerably smaller than the luggage areas in the Skoda Fabia, Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo.

The opening is reasonably wide, although there is a step down to the boot floor and the high loading lip makes heavier items more awkward to lift out.

Folding the rear seat increases capacity to 983 litres. The backrest folds as a single piece rather than in a 60:40 split, preventing owners from carrying a rear passenger alongside a longer load, while the folded seat also leaves a noticeable step in the extended floor.

The MG3 measures 4,113mm long, 1,797mm wide & 1,502mm high.

It is longer and wider than the model it replaced but remains compact enough for urban streets and conventional parking spaces.

Every MG3 has a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and a separate seven-inch digital driver display.

Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while the system also controls most ventilation and assistance settings.

The touchscreen looks modern and provides plenty of features, but its small menus can be fiddly to use while driving. Physical shortcuts are limited to functions including demisting, volume and the home screen, leaving temperature and fan-speed adjustments within the display.

Smartphone mirroring creates an additional frustration because changing the climate or driver-assistance settings requires the user to leave Apple CarPlay or Android Auto before returning afterwards.

Programmable steering-wheel buttons can reduce the number of screen presses, although their functionality is limited in some menus.

The digital instrument display provides a clear speed readout, traffic-sign information, fuel economy data and a graphic showing the assistance systems around the car. Hybrid models also show whether the car is using electric or petrol power, although the relevant icon is small.

USB-A and USB-C connections are fitted in the front, with a further USB socket for rear passengers. A separate connection near the rear-view mirror makes it easier to install a dashcam without trailing a cable across the dashboard.

The MG3 cabin is substantially more modern than that of its predecessor, with a clean dashboard design, neatly integrated screens and a comfortable leather-style steering wheel.

Most surfaces are hard plastic, but the main panels feel securely assembled and the patterned dashboard trim adds some visual interest.

The MG3 is available with a conventional petrol engine or the more powerful Hybrid+ drivetrain.

The standard petrol uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and a five-speed manual gearbox. It provides adequate performance for urban driving and occasional motorway use, although it needs more revs than a turbocharged rival when overtaking or climbing a hill. The five-speed gearbox is straightforward to use, but the absence of a sixth ratio means the engine can sound busier at motorway speeds.

Hybrid+ combines a 102PS petrol engine with a 136PS electric motor and a 1.83kWh battery. The system produces 194PS overall and uses an unusual three-speed automatic transmission. At low speeds, the electric motor performs much of the work, allowing the MG3 to pull away quietly and respond immediately to the accelerator.

The petrol engine starts as more power is required or the battery charge falls, while the automatic gearbox brings it into direct use at higher speeds. Performance is strong for a supermini, with the Hybrid+ reaching 62mph in eight seconds.

The MG3 uses relatively soft suspension, giving it a comfortable ride over most urban roads.

The sensibly sized 16-inch wheels help it absorb broken surfaces without the sharp impacts found in some sportier-looking superminis. Larger potholes can still unsettle the car, while the body takes a moment to settle after a series of bumps, but the overall ride remains one of its strengths. The softer setup produces noticeable lean through bends, and the steering feels vague around the straight-ahead position.

There is plenty of grip and the car remains predictable, although it lacks the precision and composure of a SEAT Ibiza or Ford Fiesta.

Hybrid+ feels strongest in town, where it can travel for useful periods using electric power and switch into petrol assistance without a pronounced jolt.

Road and wind noise are both well controlled for the price, while the suspension works quietly over most surfaces. At motorway speeds, the hybrid remains reasonably refined, although the engine becomes more obvious during prolonged acceleration or on steeper gradients.

Regenerative braking can be adjusted through three levels. The strongest setting provides noticeable deceleration when the accelerator is released, while the lightest allows the car to coast more freely. The system defaults to its middle setting each time the car is started, and adjustments are made through the touchscreen or a configurable steering-wheel shortcut.

The MG3 received four stars from Euro NCAP when tested in 2025.

It scored 74 per cent for adult occupant protection, 73 per cent for child occupant protection, 81 per cent for vulnerable road-user protection and 69 per cent for safety assistance.

During the frontal-offset test, the driver’s seat adjustment mechanism failed and allowed the seat to twist, contributing to poor protection of the driver’s right leg.

MG subsequently introduced a modified mechanism into production and issued a recall for affected cars. Buyers and existing owners should check that the required work has been completed on the individual vehicle.

The assessment also identified weaknesses in rear-passenger and child protection, including a poor result for the ten-year-old dummy in the side-impact test.

Standard assistance equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition and driver monitoring.

Trophy adds blind-spot detection, lane-change assistance and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Hybrid+ returns up to 64.2mpg under official testing, making it particularly attractive for drivers who spend much of their time in urban traffic.

Real-world economy in the mid to high 50s should be achievable in mixed driving, while slower town journeys allow the electric motor to make greater use of recovered energy.

The 36-litre fuel tank is relatively small but still provides a useful range because of the hybrid’s efficiency.

The standard petrol returns around 46mpg, depending on specification and driving conditions.

Drivers covering mainly short journeys may find the petrol cheaper overall because of its lower purchase price, while higher-mileage or urban users are more likely to recover the Hybrid+ premium through reduced fuel use.

MG covers the MG3 for seven years or 80,000 miles from first registration.

Servicing intervals and maintenance requirements differ between the petrol and Hybrid+ models, so owners should follow the schedule specified for their derivative.

The petrol MG3 generally sits in lower insurance groups than the Hybrid+, reflecting its reduced power and simpler drivetrain.

Hybrid+ SE is in group 23, while Trophy is in group 24.

Those ratings are high for a supermini and may result in significantly more expensive premiums than a Suzuki Swift, Skoda Fabia or lower-powered Vauxhall Corsa.

Drivers should obtain quotes for the exact model before ordering, particularly younger motorists and those with limited no-claims history.

Annual Vehicle Excise Duty from the second year is £200 for both petrol and hybrid versions. Every MG3 costs far less than the £40,000 Expensive Car Supplement threshold, so the additional five-year charge does not apply.