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MG 3 vs MG MG3 Hybrid+

What's the difference?

VS
MG 3
MG 3

2020 price

MG MG3 Hybrid+
MG MG3 Hybrid+

$23,959 - $32,990

2024 price

Summary

2020 MG 3
2024 MG MG3 Hybrid+
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.5L

Inline 4, 1.5L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
6.7L/100km (combined)

4.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Lacking safety tech
  • Powertrain not great in demanding situations
  • No digital speedo

  • Inconsistent hybrid system
  • No split-fold rear seat
  • Cabin noise
2020 MG 3 Summary

This story has been updated in February 2022 to reflect market changes and pricing adjustments for the MG3. It was originally published in the first half of 2020.

My time at CarsGuide started in October 2017, and since then I’ve booked literally thousands of cars across Australia. One car that has eluded me - and the CarsGuide team - over that period is the one you see here: the MG3. Or the MG MG3, or MG 3, if you wish.

Despite asking MG’s Australian arm countless times to loan an MG3 hatchback over that period, the company in charge of the brand’s PR in Australia refused to agree to loan us a vehicle to test. Now the company has an in-house PR team with a pretty decent fleet of press cars, yet still, no MG3.

Over the years, our desire to review the MG3 hatch - and to help you decide whether it's right for you or not - has only gotten stronger because sales have skyrocketed. Back in late 2017 the brand was averaging only a handful of cars per month - indeed, just 52 examples of the MG3 were sold in total in 2017.

Since then, the MG3 has skyrocketed, and it is the best-selling light car in Australia. In 2021, the brand moved more than 13,000 MG3s - meaning it is averaging 250 cars sold per week. Makes the paltry 2017 numbers look a bit meagre. In becoming the number-one seller in the segment, it has beaten big-name rivals including the Kia Rio, Mazda 2 and now defunct Honda Jazz, while also being well clear of the cheaper Kia Picanto, which is what many people will be shopping this car against if price is a key driver for their decision.

And that's the case in point, really - a lot of its success comes down to the price of the Chinese-built, British-badged city car. It’s cheap - but is it a cheerful experience? We got the chance to find out in 2020, thanks to a friendly MG dealership in NSW - and this review has been updated with the most current pricing, because nothing else has changed.

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2024 MG MG3 Hybrid+ Summary

Maligned by motoring journalists and car enthusiasts alike, the MG3 proved once again that critical success isn't necessary to be a best seller. As they say, there's no such thing as bad press.

The small car was the SAIC-owned MG brand's Hyundai Excel moment. The 2011 MG3 became a price leader that put the brand on the map in Australia finding plenty of homes with first car buyers and rental fleet managers alike. 

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: over 15,000 of the small cars sold locally - almost four times as many MG3s found homes in Australia last year than in the much larger UK market.

The new 2024 MG3 is looking to build on that success and follow in the footsteps of the critically acclaimed MG4 electric car which is selling strongly.

This third-gen MG3 (not everyone knows about the Rover Streetwise-based MG3 SW sold in China) brings a fresh platform, updated safety features and even a fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain.

All things that should help it steal sales from now rather expensive rivals, including the Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2, Suzuki Swift and even Volkswagen Polo, if it’s good enough. 

For all the new MG3's added features and striking looks, it's a nameplate that predominantly sold on price and value over buyer interest. We've driven the entry-level Excite trim fitted with the 'Hybrid+' powertrain to see if the makeover has been a success.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 MG 3 2024 MG MG3 Hybrid+

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