2024 MG3 teased and official unveil date confirmed as the next-gen Chinese automaker takes aim at the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift

After years of speculation and a recent leaked image of the whole car, MG has finally released an official teaser of its upcoming next-generation MG3.

Revealing only the new hatchback’s nose as part of an official unveil date poster, the brand also confirmed its unveil date of 26th February 2024 at the Geneva Auto Show.

As seen from both the teaser and the previous leaked images, the new MG3 moves the light hatchback’s styling in an entirely new direction, dumping the chrome-embossed grille and square lines of the current car and moving them in a much more contemporary curvy direction.

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Its new face now syncs up with the MG4 electric hatch and MG5 sedan, with higher-end LED light fittings. A small nose camera and a bit of carbon-fibre style trim can also be seen in the teaser, pointing to the budget small hatch moving up the price scale.

The previously leaked images also reveals contemporary alloy wheels similar to those seen on the high-spec Toyota Yaris, and even a sunroof on some camouflaged models spotted in the past.

The current MG3 has had a huge role to play in putting the re-born and now Chinese-backed British marque back on the map in Australia, with its bargain-basement pricing undercutting once affordable nameplates like the Yaris and Swift from Japan.

The new MG3 moves the light hatchback’s styling in an entirely new direction.

Thanks to a combination of pricing and ready availability, the small hatch now dominates the sub-$30,000 light-car segment, amassing 15,430 sales last year. Its nearest rival is the Suzuki Swift which could only manage 6914 units or the Mazda2 at 5181 units.

The current MG3 is now seven-years old and well overdue for an update, but it remains to be seen if the brand can move the new-generation car more upmarket while continuing to comply with strict ADR conditions or today’s much more difficult ANCAP ratings scale.

Price will be a big sticking point, as the outgoing car is one of the last brand-new cars in Australia under $20,000, with the base Core Auto sitting at $19,990 drive-away.

Previously leaked images reveals contemporary alloy wheels similar to those seen on the high-spec Toyota Yaris. (Image: cochespias.net)

The only other vehicle in this space is the even smaller Kia Picanto hatch, which can be had from $19,490 for the Sport automatic variant or $17,890 with a manual transmission.

MG Australia has previously confirmed the new MG3 will make it to our market in 2024, both in combustion and hybrid forms, and is also targeting a release of the new HS mid-size SUV and Cyberster electric sports car this year. The brand was not drawn on more precise timings for any of its upcoming models.

Meanwhile, the MG5 sedan, which was slapped with a zero-star ANCAP rating recently, is also set to get the addition of a safety pack option.