MG3 review
We’ve found the MG3 to be a talented and competitively priced supermini, making it a strong contender against its rivals
Our opinion on the MG3
The MG3 has won our Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year award on more than one occasion, but there’s more to this budget-friendly supermini than the price. It’s surprisingly fun to drive, has a compliant ride and strong refinement. Similarly, the hybrid version delivers performance that blows its rivals away while remaining highly frugal. Equipment levels are strong, and even the interior quality is impressive for such an affordable car. While there are one or two small areas that could be improved, they’re easy to forgive when you consider that the MG3 is significantly cheaper than any of its closest competitors.
About the MG3
When it was launched in 2013, the original MG3 wasn’t all that competitive in the small car arena. Yes, it was very cheap and even handled quite well, but in every other respect, it fell well short of the standards expected to compete with the best in the supermini class.
It took nearly just over a decade for an all-new replacement to arrive, but it was well worth the wait. The five-door supermini gained a vast injection of tech and equipment, including a sophisticated full-hybrid powertrain that gives the MG3 class-leading performance and fuel economy – at least on paper.
We’ve tested the MG3 extensively since its arrival, including a head-to-head test against one of its key rivals, the Suzuki Swift, and the MG came out on top thanks to its superior refinement, efficiency and performance. Our news reporter, Ellis Hyde, also spent six months living with an MG3 Hybrid+ as part of our long-term test fleet.
MG3 prices and latest deals
The petrol-powered MG3 is the cheapest model you can buy, and this is only available in the base SE trim. Opt for this variant and you'll be looking at a very reasonable £17,200 starting price. The Hybrid+ isn't too much more expensive, though, with the equivalent SE spec starting from £19,500. You can also opt for the posher Trophy trim here, which ups the price slightly to £21,500.
Used - available now
Whichever model you desire, you can save by building your ideal MG3 with the Auto Express Buy a Car service. We also have MG3 leasing deals to choose from, along with a range of used MG3s in stock.
Performance & driving experience
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The base, pure-petrol MG3 gets a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual gearbox. However, while simplicity will certainly appeal to at least some supermini buyers, this variant is much slower and just that bit less refined than the hybrid, so we’d go for the latter.
While the MG3 Hybrid+ uses the same four-cylinder engine as the petrol, here it’s paired with an electric motor and a three-speed automatic gearbox. The result is a notable performance boost and increased efficiency, although this gearbox was a cause of frustration during our long-term testing.
What sets the hybrid system in MG3 apart from those in its rivals, such as the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris, is how much more involved the electric motor is. Rather than lending the petrol a hand now and again, it’s the headline act in the MG3.
The result is that the MG3 Hybrid+ behaves more like an electric car, accelerating off the mark with the same instantaneous response as an EV, while the equivalent Toyota and Renault feel much less powerful and lethargic off the mark. It’s ideal when you’re driving around town at low speeds, however, the powertrain’s flaws quickly show when you try to get up to motorway speeds.
After the e-motor has delivered its hit of torque and the petrol engine has to take the reins, you have to wait for the dimwitted three-speed transmission to wake up and realise it needs to shift down, before you start gaining speed again.
What’s more, the gearbox only tends to shift into top gear when you approach 70mph. That’s fine when you’re joining a motorway, but it means on a 60mph country road, you’re forced to listen to the drone of the engine until you either speed up or the three-speed transmission gets its act together.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| MG3 1.5 SE | 113bhp | 10.8 seconds | 115mph |
| MG3 1.5 Hybrid SE | 191bhp | 8.0 seconds | 106mph |
| MG3 1.5 Hybrid Trophy | 191bhp | 8.0 seconds | 106mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
In pure-petrol form, the MG3 produces a rather modest 113bhp and 148Nm of torque. The result is a 0-62mph time of 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 115mph. While this model isn’t about to set your world on fire in the speed department, it is at least a bit quicker than the Petrol–powered Renault Clio TCe 90, which takes 12.2 seconds.
Like we said, though, you’ll want to go for hybrid power if you’re in a particular rush. This churns out a combined 191bhp and 425Nm from the engine and electric motor, which trims down its 0-62mph sprint time to a livelier eight seconds. Top speed is reduced slightly, though, down to 106mph.
Town driving, visibility and parking
Visibility is reasonable but could be better, partly because of the sloping rear windscreen and dashboard design. The driver’s seat has a decent range of adjustment, but you can’t change the reach for the steering wheel, which makes it harder for all body types to get comfortable.
The throttle can be hard to modulate at very low speeds, meaning parking manoeuvres tend to be slightly jerky. At least in Trophy trim, the MG3 comes with a clear 360-degree parking camera system that is a big help if you find yourself in a tight situation, such as a multi-storey car park, for instance.
Country road driving and handling
The MG3 rides fairly well on UK roads, smoothing out the imperfections on pockmarked roads, thanks in no small part to its small 16-inch wheels and large profile tyres. But at the same time, body roll isn’t too excessive.
As with an electric car, the MG3 Hybrid+ has three levels of regenerative braking, which you quickly toggle between using a button on the steering wheel, and this smoothly slows the car down. The light steering can feel a little unnatural due to its slightly odd weighting, especially in Sport mode.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
Quite a bit of road noise can be heard in the MG3’s cabin at higher speeds. It feels stable on a motorway, and the standard adaptive cruise control is great on longer journeys, too. We’ve criticised MGs in the past for their overly intrusive driver aids, but while they certainly aren’t perfect, things have improved dramatically on this current model. On narrow roads, it’s far less likely to tug at the wheel when it thinks you’re about to cross a white line, making it much less irritating. The same can’t be said of its speed limit warning system, though.
“I wish turning off the MG3’s various safety and driver-assistance systems were easier, because it has to be done via the touchscreen. The worst of all is the deafeningly loud speed-camera warning that you’ll want to turn off as soon as possible.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter.
MPG & running costs
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While the MG3 Hybrid+ can supposedly return up to 64.2mpg, we couldn’t get close to that figure during our 3,200 miles of long-term testing; the trip computer said we’d averaged 50.4mpg.
Most people would be satisfied by that, but our consumer reporter, Tom Jervis, managed to achieve nearly 57mpg when he lived with the rival Suzuki Swift. Plus, when the hybrid-powered Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris faced off in a twin test, they averaged 56.2 and 58.5mpg, respectively.
You should be able to get better fuel economy if you spend more of your time driving around town. Here the electric motor can work at its most efficient, and you take advantage of the MG3 having a bigger hybrid battery than most rivals. That means you can spend more time driving around on electric power.
Although it lacks the benefits of electrification, the petrol-powered MG3 has a WLTP combined range of 46.3mpg, which isn’t too bad but does lag behind the Renault Clio TCe 90, which claims 54.3mpg.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| MG3 1.5 SE | 46.3mpg | 137g/km | 16 |
| MG3 1.5 Hybrid SE | 64.2mpg | 100g/km | 23 |
| MG3 1.5 Hybrid Trophy | 64.2mpg | 100g/km | 24 |
Insurance groups
The petrol-powered MG3 is only available in base SE spec. This, combined with the reduced power output, contributes to it starting in group 16 (out of 50). In the same SE trim, the more potent Hybrid+ sits in 23, rising to 24 for the fancier Trophy variant.
However, the Renault Clio will be cheaper to cover across the board. The petrol models start in group 10, with the hybrid only climbing to group 16. If you’re after the biggest savings, though, you’ll want to look towards the Skoda Fabia, as this dips as low as group 4, which will be particularly good for new drivers.
Tax
Every MG3 faces the standard VED road tax rate, and unfortunately, neither the hybrid nor the petrol model comes anywhere close to an electric car for company car tax savings.
If you’re a business buyer in search of a supermini, you may wish to look towards zero-emission models like the Renault 5, BYD Dolphin or Citroen e-C3. If you’d prefer to stick with MG, the brand’s smallest electric car is the MG4 hatchback.
Depreciation
Our market data indicates that the MG3 fares rather well in terms of its value after three years or 36,000 miles. At 48 to 53 per cent, the little MG is almost as strong as the very well-established Renault Clio, which holds on to 49 to 56 per cent. Both of these cars are stronger than the Vauxhall Corsa, as this only retains between 39 and 49 per cent.
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Interior, design & technology
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We appreciate that style is subjective, but aside from the sea creature-like mouth this car has, it looks a little plain and already a bit dated compared with its much more sharply-dressed rivals, such as the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208. Part of that is down to its small 16-inch wheels, although the trade-off they bring in ride comfort seems worthwhile.
It might not be the most exciting supermini to look at, but every MG3 SE comes generously equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital driver display, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, a driver attention monitor, and a reversing camera with parking sensors.
Upgrade to our preferred Trophy trim - which is only available in hybrid form - and you also get:
- 360-degree parking camera
- Keyless entry
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- LED headlights
- Blind-spot detection
Interior and dashboard design
As with all of MG’s latest models, the interior of the MG3 looks simple, smart and modern. It feels spacious up front, too, thanks in part to the low centre console, and there are some nice touches, such as the quilted upholstery and check pattern on the dash. That said, the cabins of most, if not all, of this car’s rivals look and feel better.
Materials and build quality
Cabin fit and finish haven’t always been the first reason you’d buy an MG over its rivals, and here, the MG3 is decent but not class-leading. While there are some squidgy materials in the places you frequently touch, such as the armrests and the steering wheel, there is plenty of hard plastic elsewhere. This isn’t that unusual in this class, but both the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 feel much posher inside. There are some very cheap areas within the MG3, such as the flimsy sliding tray beneath the front centre armrest.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Every MG3 gets a bright 10.25-inch screen. It’s fairly responsive and loading times are fine, but most people will end up bypassing the system by using the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The audio system gets the job done, but the sound quality is a little weak compared with the class best and lacks clarity when it comes to voices on podcasts or phone calls. There’s no option to upgrade to a fancier set-up.
Much like its MG4 sibling, you can set up a shortcut from the steering wheel that lets you adjust the climate controls using the touch pads on the right side of the wheel.
“While I think the interior of the MG3 is a nicer place to be than the Suzuki Swift’s, that’s not really saying much. Yes, the Renault Clio or Skoda Fabia cost more, but their plusher cabins and more intuitive tech let you see and feel where that money has gone.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter.
Boot space & practicality
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The MG3 doesn’t boast a class-leading amount of space, but it is on par with rivals and with what people expect from a modern supermini. Similarly, while there aren’t any clever storage solutions, the tray in the centre console can accommodate the largest smartphones around, and the door bins are large enough for an average-sized water bottle.
Dimensions and size
At 4,113mm long, the MG3 is slightly longer than the class average, although much of that seems to come from its protruding bonnet, rather than being put to best use for passenger space.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | MG3 | Renault Clio | Vauxhall Corsa |
| Length | 4,113mm | 4,053mm | 4,060mm |
| Width | 1,797mm | 1,7798mm | 1,765mm |
| Height | 1,502mm | 1,440mm | 1,435mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570mm | 2,583mm | 2,538mm |
| Boot space | 293 litres | 301-391 litres | 309 litres |
Seats & passenger space
The Skoda Fabia is better if you often carry adults in the back, because the MG3’s headroom is a little tighter than the very best in this segment. The seats are comfortable, and there’s plenty of foot space under the front seats, plus a flat floor.
Boot space
Whether you go for the petrol or hybrid model, the MG3 has a 293-litre boot that’s only slightly smaller than the Vauxhall Corsa and Clio E-Tech’s. However, the non-hybrid Renault Clio and Skoda Fabia offer considerably more space.
There’s a large load lip because of how deep the boot is, but I didn’t find this to be an issue when I lived with the MG3, nor was the lack of a height-adjustable boot floor. But the MG3 not having split-folding rear seats like most rivals (they’re one piece) does limit its versatility.
“The boot might not be the largest of all the superminis on the market, but I’ve found it’s big enough to swallow the carry-on bag and backpack I take with me on work trips. There’s room left over for a large duffle bag, too.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter.
Reliability & safety
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Industry safety experts Euro NCAP tested the MG3 in 2025, and released a scathing report that recommended buyers actually avoid this car after it emerged that the MG3’s seat latch failed during its 31mph frontal offset crash test. This failure led to extra impact on the driver dummy’s right leg, while also making its head ‘bottom out’ against the steering wheel rather than the airbag.
As a result, Euro NCAP labelled head protection in the MG3 as ‘adequate’ and leg protection as ‘poor’. The testing body also said that since it began crash testing in 1997, this type of failure had “not been seen before”. In response to the test results, MG said it would be implementing changes to the driver’s seat latching mechanism.
Despite all that, Euro NCAP still awarded the MG3 a four-star crash safety score. For context, the Suzuki Swift only got three stars, while the Renault Clio and Skoda Fabia both received the maximum five-star ratings.
Plenty of safety features come as standard, such as cruise control, a driver-attention monitoring system and lane-keep assistance. The top-of-the-range Trophy trim adds a blind-spot monitoring system to warn you of vehicles alongside you when you indicate to change lanes on a motorway.
MG hasn’t fared well as a brand in our Driver Power customer satisfaction surveys for several years. The brand finished dead last once again in our best car manufacturers category, and only one of its models made it onto our list of the top-50 best cars to own. That was the MG HS Mk1, which is no longer on sale.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Five stars (2025) |
| Adult occupant protection | 74% |
| Child occupant protection | 73% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 81% |
| Safety assist | 69% |
Buying and owning
- Best buy: MG3 Hybrid+ Trophy
It’s not often we recommend the top-of-the-range version of a car, but the MG3 Hybrid Trophy+ is a few hundred pounds less than an entry-level Clio E-Tech. For that, you get the impressive hybrid powertrain we’ve spoken about, and all the kit MG will throw at this car, including LED headlights, a 360-degree parking camera, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather-effect upholstery, keyless entry and blind-spot detection.
MG3 alternatives
There’s no shortage of rivals for the MG3, especially as it’s available with a choice of pure petrol and hybrid power. The closest competitors are the multiple award-winning Renault Clio and Citroen C3, which are two of our favourite superminis and are offered with a similar choice of drivetrains. The Skoda Fabia is also a very talented alternative, as is the Toyota Yaris, which is only available as a hybrid. The Suzuki Swift continues to offer plenty of value, but it feels even cheaper inside than the MG, despite costing at least £20,000.
Key updates of the MG3 review
31 March 2026: Updated to include details about the petrol-powered MG3.
Frequently Asked Questions
All MG models come with a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty, which is more generous than the three-year/60,000-mile warranty for the Clio, but can’t quite match the up to 10-year/100,000-mile warranty available with the Yaris.
Deals on the MG3 and alternatives
