2024 MG 3 Hybrid+ evaluation

Till just lately, the MG 3 was a top-selling cheap-but-not-so-cheerful automotive.

However the new-generation MG 3 is approach higher than the final one, with a extra refined design inside and outside, extra tech and – lastly – the protection gear you’d anticipate in a metropolis automotive in 2024.

There’s additionally a brand new petrol-electric hybrid as examined right here, which provides ample energy and spectacular real-world effectivity.

So, is the MG 3 lastly low cost and cheerful? Learn on to search out out.

How does the MG3 evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the MG3 in opposition to equally sized autos.

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How a lot does the MG 3 value?

There are 4 variations of the brand new MG 3 on sale in Australia, and we’re testing the top-spec Hybrid+ Essence right here.

Costs exclude on-road prices.

To see how the MG 3 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.

What’s the MG 3 like on the within?

What a large enchancment to the inside. The adjustments made right here have taken the new-gen MG 3 into a brand new realm.

It appears sensible, with the dual digital screens – a ten.25-inch unit for multimedia, and a 7.0-inch display screen for the driving force information show – upping the wow issue in contrast with the final model.

The infotainment display screen is just like that used within the larger MG 4, and like that automotive it has an array of buttons beneath the show for some fast controls.

There are quantity up/down controls, a house key, A/C on/off, entrance and rear demister buttons, and a fan-speed button – however no temperature toggle or fan toggle, as you continue to have to make these incremental changes via the display screen (or utilizing shortcuts on the steering wheel).

The show has an array of menus that may take some studying, together with the MG Pilot superior security tech that you just would possibly want to disable every time you drive, in case you’re like me. Extra on that within the driving part.

There may be Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, however it’s good to join by way of cable – no wi-fi right here, sadly, and there’s additionally no wi-fi cellphone charger which is one other disappointing omission.

No less than there may be an in-built sat nav for all these older patrons who don’t use smartphone tech. However for youthful patrons, no wi-fi mirroring and charging could possibly be an ick.

The steering wheel, just like that used within the MG 4, feels too massive for the scale of the automotive, making it really feel like extra of a handful in parking strikes. And the controls on the steering wheel – completed in fingerprint-attracting piano black – are difficult.

The steering wheel icon, as an example, is the cruise management button, and it’s good to hit the little ‘pages’ icon on the fitting facet to dive into the driving force information display screen utilizing the arrow set off, in any other case you’ll be skipping songs or turning up/down the quantity.

The management quibbles apart there may be loads of area right here, with a pair of cupholders in entrance of the dial shifter, and a sliding tray that hides one other spot for unfastened objects between the entrance seats. There’s a comfortable centre armrest and bottle holders within the doorways as nicely.

The seats themselves? They provide good consolation, respectable adjustability for individuals of various sizes and shapes, and there’s additionally tilt adjustment for the steering.

And the end – a mixture of pretend leather-based and fabric – is fairly good, as is the vinyl trimming on the dashboard. I like there’s a hark-back second with the cross-hatch end resembling the outdated automotive, too.

The high-grade Essence mannequin additionally comes with a sunroof – a kind of little tiny ones, not a full-glass roof.

There’s no auto-dimming rearview mirror, however there’s a USB-A port up within the mirror housing for a touch cam. That’s along with USB-A and USB-C ports beneath the display screen for charging and connectivity.

Again seat area is phenomenal for a automotive of this measurement. At 182cm/six-foot I used to be capable of slide in behind my very own driving place with knee and toe room to area, and headroom can also be good – simply be aware in case you’re taller, the door openings may be your greatest encumbrance.

You possibly can probably match three small adults throughout, however three little one seats may be too bold. Nevertheless, I managed to suit my daughter’s little one seat in with sufficient room for her to swing her legs, and for somebody to sit down in entrance and never really feel squished.

There are ISOFIX factors within the window seats and top-tethers for all three rear seats, too, and – in a boon for backseat riders – there are directional air-vents, and a single USB-A port for charging units.

There are map pockets and bottle holders within the doorways, however no centre armrest.

Boot area is improved over the earlier mannequin, with MG claiming a cargo capability of 293 litres with the seats up.

It’s actually an honest measurement given the compact dimensions of the automotive, and it has a light-weight and buying bag hook to maintain issues in test.

However take be aware that there isn’t any spare wheel supplied within the hybrid mannequin, because of the placement of the hybrid battery pack – beneath the ground is only a tyre restore package. Should you purchase the petrol MG 3, you get a space-saver spare.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The MG 3 Hybrid+ has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine operating the Atkinson cycle, with outputs of 75kW and 128Nm.

Which may appear modest, however while you add the 100kW electrical motor and 1.83kWh battery pack working with a three-speed automated transmission and front-wheel drive, all of it culminates for a mixed most output of 155kW.

Sure, that’s greater than the current-gen Volkswagen Polo GTI (147kW). Whereas it’s a sprightly factor, the 0-100km/h declare is 8.0 seconds, so don’t go anticipating hot-hatch efficiency.

It isn’t all that heavy, both – the Hybrid+ Essence is 1308kg, simply 110kg greater than the petrol – and all variations can tow as much as 500kg.

As you’d anticipate, official mixed cycle gas consumption is spectacular, at 4.3 litres per 100km (100g/km CO2). On check I noticed an indicated return of 4.8L/100km throughout a mixture of city and freeway driving.

Remember, nonetheless, that the Hybrid+ fashions want 95 RON premium unleaded, and the gas tank is simply 36 litres in capability.

How does the MG 3 drive?

An enormous enchancment in comparison with the final MG 3? You guess.

It drives extra akin to a Corolla Hybrid than Yaris Hybrid, regardless of enjoying on the identical value level because the latter. This can be a extra refined automotive than a Yaris, which has a far raspier drive expertise courtesy of its three-cylinder engine.

This automotive is clean in its behaviour, and it has a degree of refinement that’s stunning in context of the earlier mannequin, and really a lot according to what we’ve seen from the likes of the bigger MG 4.

It’s zippy; keen in its responses and it really hustles alongside in case you’re in a rush. And it does all of that with out a lot fuss.

The best way it is going to transfer between EV mode and HEV (hybrid) is nearly imperceptible, as is the three-speed auto transmission, which is barely noticeable usually driving.

There are three drive modes to select from – Eco, Customary and Sport – however there isn’t any approach to decide on “EV” as a mode, as is the case with another hybrids.

Probably not an enormous deal as a result of the automotive’s programs work out whether or not EV or HEV is the very best for the scenario, and I seen the powertrain dipping out and in of these in a mixture of driving. What I didn’t discover was the engine kicking in or out, as a result of it’s actually clean in the best way it operates.

There’s a regenerative braking system to assist feed doubtlessly misplaced vitality again in to the battery pack, and three completely different ranges of regen braking.

For some purpose it saved defaulting again to the center setting (2) however I most popular the texture of degree 3, probably the most intense. It doesn’t go so far as a ‘single pedal’ really feel, however it is going to arrest momentum in a reliable and learnable approach.

It’s additionally a mature and assured drive, too, with a reasonably surefooted really feel on the street solely often being upset by sharp edges, which may be felt extra on the entrance axle than the rear.

Even so, the overall trip compliance is nice, and the consolation is sweet, too. It doesn’t deal with like a sizzling hatch, so don’t anticipate that, however it’s competent at altering instructions and feels fairly balanced within the act.

The steering provides a little bit of the factitious resistance you anticipate of an electrical system, nevertheless it’s simple to park and has an sincere responsiveness at a mixture of speeds.

My greatest subject with the steering is the scale of the wheel, which is simply too giant for a automotive of those dimensions in my view.

I used to be actually impressed with a lot of the drive expertise on this automotive – apart from the beeping and bonging ‘help’ tech, together with the “Clever Velocity Help” that reads velocity indicators and warns you in case you’re driving over the restrict.

My space has many velocity restrict adjustments, and it obtained on my nerves fairly shortly.

The opposite grievance I had was a little bit of extra noise at freeway speeds, however that’s doubtless exacerbated by the hushed powertrain which is much quieter than many rivals within the class.

Nevertheless, these small issues can’t detract from the truth that it is a vastly improved small automotive in comparison with its predecessor, and nicely and actually aggressive for liveability.

What do you get?

The MG 3 vary is break up into base-model Excite and top-spec Essence grades, with just a few minor variations between the petrol and hybrid variations.

MG 3 Excite commonplace tools: 

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• House-saver spare wheel
• Halogen headlights
• LED daytime operating lights
• Auto headlights
• Rear fog gentle
• Push-button begin
• Six-way guide driver’s seat adjustment
• 4-way guide passenger’s seat adjustment
• Reversing digital camera
• Rear parking sensors
• MG Pilot ADAS suite – particulars in security part beneath

MG 3 Hybrid+ provides:

• No spare wheel – tyre restore package
• Auto local weather management
• Dial sort gear selector
• Drive modes
• Pedestrian warning sound – exterior speaker

MG 3 Essence provides (over Excite):

• Projector LED headlights
• Keyless entry system
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Sunroof
• Faux leather-based and fabric trim
• Leather-based steering wheel
• Sunglass compartment
• Rear map pockets
• Entrance centre armrest
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB digital radio
• Related cellular providers (iSmart compatibility)
• 360 diploma surround-view digital camera system

Is the MG 3 secure?

The final MG 3 was not a posterchild for security tech – it wasn’t even a thumbtack within the poster, in truth.

However this one is comprehensively outfitted with an array of superior security options. On the time of publication the compact automotive nonetheless hasn’t acquired a Euro NCAP or ANCAP ranking.

Regardless of that, right here’s an inventory of the usual security tech throughout all grades:

• 6 airbags
  • Twin entrance
  • Twin front-side
  • Twin facet curtain
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Emergency lane hold help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Clever cruise help
  • Visitors jam help
  • Steering, acceleration, braking help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Clever velocity help 
• Reversing digital camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Tyre stress monitoring

Essence fashions add:

Hybrid fashions add:

• Pedestrian warning system – exterior

How a lot does the MG 3 value to run?

MG Australia provides a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for its mannequin vary, together with the brand new MG 3.

Hybrid fashions have a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for the high-voltage battery system as nicely, however it’s good to learn the advantageous print in case you plan to drive this car for industrial use. All variations get a seven-year roadside help plan included.

The model has a capped-price servicing plan on supply for seven years, too. Service intervals are 12 months or 10,000km – whichever comes first.

2024 MG 3 service pricing:

CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 3

The enhancements listed here are clear.

The brand new MG 3 is vastly higher than its predecessor, with a extra loveable cabin, higher ranges of security expertise, and a hybrid powertrain that makes it a really urban- or commuter-friendly alternative for a variety of completely different patrons.

Low-cost and cheerful? You guess – nevertheless it’s additionally compelling and aggressive for this class, too.

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