2024 MG3 petrol now $1500 cheaper thanks to new drive-away pricing, giving it a leg up against the Toyota Yaris, Kia Picanto and Mazda 2

MG has returned to drive-away pricing for the 2024 MG3, effectively making the light car $1500 cheaper to buy.

The new national drive-away price is $24,990 for the Excite and $26,990 for the Essence.

Hybrid variants – available for the first time on the much-improved new generation MG3 – are not offered with flat drive-away prices, and start above $30,000 once on the road in most states/territories.

The new pricing makes the entry-level MG3 significantly cheaper than key rivals such as the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris, yet the smaller Kia Picanto remains Australia's most affordable new car.

MG equips the base Excite with lots of equipment, including 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, digital driver's display, power folding mirrors, reverse camera and halogen headlights.

A new direct-injection 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder develops 81kW and 142Nm (less than before) and is rated at 6.0L/100km in the ADR combined fuel efficiency cycle. A CVT automatic is the only option.

Moving up to the Essence adds LED headlights, a sunroof, vinyl-accented upholstery, rotary gear shifter, rear reading lights, a 360-degree camera and rain-sensing wipers.

All MG3s are fitted with adaptive cruise control, AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring and lane-keep assist.

The flagship MG3 hybrid ups outputs to 155kW and utilises a three-speed 'hybrid transmission'. Fuel economy falls to an impressive 4.3L/100km in the combined cycle.

Sales figures for the MG 3 are yet to be announced. The previous model remains in run-out from $18,990 drive-away with stock expected to hang around until later this year.

2024 MG 3 pricing

Variant	Price
MG 3 Excite Petrol	$24,990 (drive-away)
MG 3 Essence Petrol	$26,990 (drive-away)
MG 3 Excite hybrid	$27,990 (before on-road costs)
MG 3 Essence hybrid	$29,990 (before on-road costs)