2018 MG 3

MG3 Hybrid + Review 2024 | A much more credible kind of MG3 - Car and Driving - Car Reviews​

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The MG3 Hybrid+ makes petrol/electric power significantly more affordable. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

The MG3 supermini takes a big step forward in this second generation form. There's now a self charging full-Hybrid powertrain, plus a higher quality cabin, more sophistication and extra interior space. In short, this is a much more credible kind of MG3. But it's still affordable.

The original MG3 wasn't the first of this modern era Chinese brand's offerings in Europe but it was the first to sell in any numbers. This little budget supermini was launched back in 2013 and was originally partly British engineered and put together in the old MG Rover factory at Longbridge from kits built in China by parent company SAIC.

By the time of the car's extensive update in 2018 though, full Chinese production was in full swing and since that time, MG has become a significant volume player in our market, with much of its growth in EVs.

There's no EV version of this second generation MG3, announced in Spring 2024, but this fresh design does offer the brand's first non-plug-in Hybrid and it's that Hybrid+ version we're looking at here. The Chinese makers importers hope to hoover up a lot of customers who would previously have chosen the now-discontinued Fiesta in the supermini segment.
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Link to YT video review here.
 
MG 3 gains 114bhp pure-petrol engine for £16,495

New powerplant makes one of the UK’s cheapest cars even more affordable

The MG 3 has gained a pure-petrol engine that drops its starting price by £2000, making one of the UK's cheapest cars yet more affordable.

The new naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit puts out 114bhp and 109lb ft of torque and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

This combination allows the supermini to complete the 0-62mph sprint in 10.8sec, which is 2.8sec slower than the existing 192bhp hybrid.

The petrol 3 officially gets 46.3mpg while emitting 137g/km of CO2, compared with 64.2mpg and 100g/km for the hybrid 3.

Initially, it will be sold exclusively in the entry-level SE trim, bringing features such as a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen, a rear parking camera and USB ports in the front and rear of the cabin.

MG has also added the pure-petrol unit to the new ZS crossover, dropping its starting price from £21,995 down to £19,495.

In this larger and heavier model, it yields a 62mph sprint time of 12.5sec, plus 43.5mpg.

www.autocar.co.uk

MG 3 gains 114bhp pure-petrol engine for £16,495 | Autocar

New powerplant makes one of the UK’s cheapest cars even more affordable
www.autocar.co.uk www.autocar.co.uk
 
MG3 (2025) Price & Specs in South Africa

Here’s what the new MG3 hatchback (also available in hybrid form) will cost in South Africa, with its starting price undercutting that of the locally built VW Polo Vivo…

New MG hatch to launch from R269 900, undercutting SA-built VW Polo Vivo
Range to include 5 derivatives, including flagship traditional-hybrid variant

HEV looks set to launch as South Africa’s most affordable hybrid hatchback

MG Motor officially returned to South Africa towards the end of 2024. Now, the Chinese-backed British brand is poised to expand its local range with the introduction of the latest MG3 hatchback. And, shortly ahead of the local launch, Cars.co.za can confirm pricing.

According to our information, the new MG3 range will comprise 5 derivatives at launch, including a flagship hybrid variant. The local portfolio will kick off with the MG3 1.5 Comfort 5MT, which we understand will be priced from R269 900 (making it the entry point to the marque’s broader range, slotting in R20 000 below the ZS 1.5 Comfort).

That sees this new hatch – which measures 4 113 mm from nose to tail, making it longer than Indian-sourced segment favourites like the Suzuki Swift (3 860 mm), Toyota Starlet (3 990 mm) and Hyundai i20 (3 995 mm) and lengthier than the Volkswagen Polo hatch, too – marginally undercut the SA-built Volkswagen Polo Vivo, which currently starts at R271 900.

What engine does the MG3 use?

The entry-level derivative is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 81 kW and 142 Nm to the front axle via a 5-speed manual gearbox. For local buyers who prefer a 2-pedal derivative, the SAIC-owned automaker will market the MG3 1.5 Comfort CVT for R309 900.

In addition, this engine and continuously variable transmission will be offered in the higher-spec MG3 1.5 Luxury CVT, priced at R344 900. The 1.5 Luxury CVT will furthermore be available with a sunroof, pushing the pricetag to R359 900.

What powers the hybrid version?

Finally, the MG3 1.5 HEV Luxury 3DHT will top the local line-up, priced at R469 900. This flagship derivative employs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to a traditional-hybrid system comprising an electric motor, a 1.83 kWh battery pack and a 3-speed hybrid transmission.

How much does the new MG3 cost in South Africa?

DERIVATIVE PRICE
MG3 1.5 Comfort 5MT R269 900
MG3 1.5 Comfort CVT R309 900
MG3 1.5 Luxury CVT R344 900
MG3 1.5 Luxury CVT (sunroof) R359 900
MG3 1.5 HEV Luxury 3DHT R469 900

From what we understand, the prices above include MG’s 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/45 000 km service plan. Expect the hybrid flagship to have additional battery cover as well.

 
2025 MG3 in SA: Price & Specs

The MG3 has launched in South Africa. See pricing and specs below.

MG Motor has expanded its local product portfolio with the introduction of the MG3, a budget-oriented hatchback priced from a hair below R270 000.

The MG3 is available with the choice of two powertrains: a 81 kW/142 N.m 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol and a hybrid setup that pairs a 75 kW/128 N.m atmospheric 1.5-litre four-pot with an electric motor, fed by a 1.83 kWh battery, for a combined system output of 155 kW and 425 N.m of torque.

The non-electrified 1.5-litre is available with a five-speed manual gearbox and CVT, while the hybrid model sends drive to the front axle via a hybrid transmission. MG claims average fuel consumption figure of 6.0 L/100 km for the CVT-equipped petrol-only models and 4.3 L/100 km for the hybrid variant. The former and latter’s fuel tanks have a capacity of 45 and 36 litres, respectively.

2025 MG3 Price in SA

The four-strong MG3 lineup is priced from R269 900 to R469 900. Pricing includes a seven-year/200 000 km warranty and three-year/45 000 km service plan.

MG3 1.5 Comfort MT – R269 900
MG3 1.5 Comfort CVT – R309 900
MG3 1.5 Luxury CVT – R344 900
MG3 1.5 HEV – R469 900

www.carmag.co.za

2025 MG3 in SA: Price & Specs

The MG3 has made landfall on local shores, with the four-strong model range priced from a hair below R270 000. See pricing and specs below...
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
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