MG ups the ante with all new MG 3 hatch

A COMPLETELY new, third generation MG 3 five-door light hatchback built on the maker’s Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) has arrived offering buyers a choice of petrol or petrol/electric hybrid powertrains and two equipment grades: Excite and Essence.

The kick off price is $23,990 for the 1.5-litre Excite petrol four-cylinder with the higher specified Essence listed from $25,990 both excluding on-road costs.

Tick the hybrid box and the prices are from $27,990 for the 1.5 Excite Hybrid+ and $29,990 for the 1.5 Essence Hybrid+, again excluding on-roads.

The Excite Hybrid+ undercuts Toyota’s Yaris Hybrid that starts at $28,500 + ORC but the new Suzuki Swift hybrid starts at $24,490 drive away.

Fully electric BEVs start at around the $35,000 mark for the GWM Ora.

The MG 3 is a clean sheet new model sharing nothing apart from the name with the popular previous model that sold from $18,990 drive-away (in entry Core trim) meaning the newcomer asks a $5000 premium, plus the addition of on-road costs.

Two different types of 1.5-litre combustion engine are used in the new MG 3 – an 81kW/142Nm Otto cycle for the ICE variants and delayed ignition Atkinson cycle in the hybrids that achieves a hot-hatch-worthy 155kW/250Nm when combined with its electric traction motor.

The Hybrid+ petrol engine produces 75kW while the electric motor is good for 100kW backed by a separate generator motor producing electric power alone.

The MG 3’s hybrid system charges a 1.83kW battery as the vehicle is being driven and by harvesting power from regen’ sources.

The front drive transmissions are likewise different for each model with the ICE variants running a CVT and the hybrid’s pinion, sun and ring gear three speed arrangement running through the electric motor.

Possibly of great interest to prospective buyers is the fuel economy rating of the Hybrid+ models that is a claimed 4.3L/100km combined (of premium 95RON) with the ICE rated at a claimed 6.0L/100km combined (of regular 91RON).

MG Motor specifies the new '3' with a raft of standard equipment across comfort, safety, dynamics and safety that includes the MG Pilot system range-wide providing extensive safety and technology aids.

Numbered among them are adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, emergency lane keeping assist and blind-spot detection and…unsteady driver warning.

Unlike the funky MG Cyberster, the MG 3 is a conventionally styled two box design along the lines of many other earlier compact five door hatchbacks.

The front is characterised by a wide grille and feline style headlights while the sides have three angled highlight creases to impart a faster, leaning forward appearance. The pert rear is contemporary five door hatch style right down to the shape of the taillights.

Inside is dominated by two screens on the dash and a squared off steering wheel with several control buttons provided for easy access to certain functions. The front seats are manually adjustable while the rear seat folds as one to increase load space.

Standard kit in the MG 3 starts with 16-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and six speaker audio.

Other range-wide goodies are a 10.25-inch infotainment display, heated exterior mirrors, 7.0-inch driver’s cluster, button start, multi-function wheel, keyless entry, six speaker audio, multiple USB A and C plugs front and rear, single air conditioning, reverse camera, three top tethers, electric park brake and six air bags.

Among other upgrades, the Essence adds LED headlights, Poly Urethane (PU) faux leather, sunroof, rain sensing wipers, native sat nav and a 360-degree camera.

Multiple colour choices are available inside and out with interior hues including white and black over fabric, or leather. Seven exterior colours are available, five at extra cost.

The MG3 Essence in both petrol and Hybrid+ ushers in a new feature called the MG iSmart app that through a smartphone, enables doors to be lock or unlocked and to switch on the air conditioning or heater.

At the new MG 3 launch in Sydney, MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao said: “The MG 3 has been redesigned from the ground up and sets a new standard for hybrid and small petrol vehicles in Australia. MG has brought together a brilliant mix of affordability, range and quality for Australian drivers in the all-new MG 3 range.”

“If you don’t have a driveway or you live in an apartment or if you’d rather not plug in a charging cable at the end of each journey, our all-new MG 3 Hybrid+ makes perfect sense for people looking for a stylish and tech savvy yet affordable car,” he added.

“The all-new MG 3 Hybrid+ promises impressive fuel economy without the environmental concerns of pure combustion power. And because their batteries are charged by the engine, you never have to plug them in.

“Our MG 3 Hybrid+ can take you from 0-100km/h in just eight seconds and is backed with a seven-year warranty plus fixed price services.

“With Australia’s New Vehicle Emissions Standards set to kick into effect from next year, the new MG 3, currently Australia’s best-selling hatch just got better with lower emissions driving and uncompromised quality, efficiency, safety and technology at a great price.”

The new MG 3 is available through the brand’s 90-strong Australian dealer network and is covered by a seven-year warranty with fixed price servicing.

2024 MG 3 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.