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Mazda 2 vs MG MG3

What's the difference?

VS
Mazda 2
Mazda 2

$21,991 - $33,990

2024 price

MG MG3
MG MG3

$20,690 - $31,990

2024 price

Summary

2024 Mazda 2
2024 MG MG3
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.5L
Fuel Type
-

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
-

6.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
-

5
Dislikes
  • Interior is dating
  • Engine noise under load
  • Pricing not quite 'first-car'

  • Underwhelming drivetrain
  • Noisy on the open road
  • Price jump means now less tempting
2024 Mazda 2 Summary

The entry-point into one of Australia's most popular brands has been around for almost 10 years in its current generation, but the Mazda2 has had a refresh.

Possibly for the last time in its current lifespan, the small hatchback gets a facelift to remain appealing, Mazda hopes, to first-car-buyers.

Mazda's up against not only direct rivals, like the Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris, but also the shifting market.

Mazda has sold just over 3500 Mazda2s so far this year, but almost 11,000 CX-3 small SUVs, the latter based on our friend here's platform.

It's a name with a little over two decades behind it, but can it be a first-car-favourite in an increasingly difficult small car market?

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2024 MG MG3 Summary

A number of established small cars are becoming more expensive and less popular. The Toyota Yaris, Mazda2 and Suzuki Swift were once the go-to first car, but now start at around $25,000.

This repositioning was great for MG and its sub-$20,000 MG3, which has spent much of the last few years as Australia's most popular light car. It’s hard to deny a low price will open many wallets.

But now in its new generation, the MG3 is thousands of dollars more expensive than before, starting in the mid-$20K range and headed even further up with a new hybrid drivetrain option. We jump in the base petrol Excite to find out if the value is still there for this British-branded, Chinese-built hatchback.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Mazda 2 2024 MG MG3

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