2025 MG 3 Essence Hybrid+ evaluation

Toyota is not alone on this planet of inexpensive hybrid hatches.

For years the Japanese producer boasted hybrid energy as a USP of its Yaris and Corolla nameplates, however that every one modified final 12 months with the introduction of three new rivals in Australia – the mild-hybrid Hyundai i30 N Line, the Suzuki Swift Hybrid and this, the brand new MG 3 Hybrid+.

Electrification is properly and actually in vogue, and MG has gone the entire hog by providing the second-generation of its entry-level hatchback with a full-fat hybrid system quite than mild-hybrid tech. It’s a punchy little powertrain too, producing a mixed 155kW.

Then there’s the worth – the flagship Essence Hybrid+ on check right here nonetheless is available in comfortably cheaper than a mid-spec Yaris. What’s to not love, proper?

Nicely, potential patrons are nonetheless more likely to be delay by the brand new worth level of the MG 3, contemplating the earlier mannequin was a sub-$20k proposition. Likewise, many will recall the numerous unfavourable evaluations aimed on the previous automobile.

WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation of the 2024 MG 3 Essence Hybrid+

So, has MG executed sufficient with the brand new top-spec MG 3 to earn the belief and hard-earned money of Australian new automobile patrons?

Learn on to search out out…

How does the MG3 examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the MG3 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

MG

MG3

How a lot does the MG 3 value?

The flagship MG 3 Essence Hybrid+ sneaks in just below $30,000 earlier than on-road prices – making it $1970 cheaper than a mid-spec Yaris Hybrid however dearer than different rivals together with the Swift Hybrid, Mazda 2, and the bottom Volkswagen Polo.

Price noting is MG just lately slashed pricing of the bottom MG 3 Excite, now priced from $21,888 drive-away till the tip of March 2025. Beforehand, it was listed for $24,990 drive-away.

To see how the MG 3 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device

What’s the MG 3 like on the within?

The MG 3 is now a $30k gentle automobile in Essence guise, and we wouldn’t essentially say it looks like one inside.

I’m properly conscious that $29,990 earlier than on-road prices isn’t some huge cash by trendy new automobile requirements, however the supplies used right here really feel notably low cost.

The door playing cards, centre tunnel, and sprint prime are all completed in scratchy black plastic, whereas the silver plastic gear selector is a flimsy, rattly merchandise that feels a bit low-quality.

Toggles on the steering wheel, one other widespread inside touchpoint, are likewise unsubstantial. Gloss black plastic is infamous for sporting poorly, but MG has chosen to trim the shifter encompass and steering wheel buttons within the stuff.

It’s a disgrace as there’s a lot to love in regards to the design of the wheel, and certainly the remainder of the inside. Like different MG fashions, the MG 3 encompasses a leatherette two-spoke steering wheel that sits properly within the arms. The underside centre marker seems to be cool, too.

Different high-traffic areas together with the armrests and seats are completed in black leatherette with brown stitching.

The aforementioned seats current in a mixture of leatherette and fabric, with guide adjustment and no particular options to notice. Each entrance chairs lack sculpting, however they’re well-cushioned and comfy on lengthy street journeys.

Whereas the supplies within the new MG 3 Hybrid+ aren’t more likely to wow potential patrons, the inside tech has loads of showroom enchantment.

All variants – each petrol and hybrid – characteristic a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and seven.0-inch digital instrument show, each of that are slick and purposeful.

The oblong infotainment display screen boots up rapidly revealing sharp graphics and a selection of two easy layouts – giant tiles or a smartphone-style app grid.

Each setups are straightforward to navigate, however I most well-liked the default tiled structure with direct entry to Apple CarPlay, local weather management, navigation, and native audio. Numerous shortcut icons are completely positioned on the right-hand facet of the display screen for faster entry.

Wi-fi smartphone mirroring isn’t obtainable within the new MG 3, however there’s a USB-A outlet to attach your cellphone, in addition to USB-C and 12V retailers underneath the centre stack for charging. The wired connection was dependable all through our check interval, offsetting the dearth of wi-fi connectivity.

Nearly all features within the MG 3 are targeted inside the responsive touchscreen, with a small strip of bodily buttons allotted to quantity controls and demister features, in addition to a shortcut to the house display screen.

It’d be good to have a conventional local weather management panel, because the local weather menu is problem to entry whereas utilizing smartphone mirroring. Steering wheel toggles for the instrument show and MG Pilot system may also be fiddly to function on the transfer too, however I’ve undoubtedly skilled worse.

The small instrument cluster display screen is a straightforward merchandise that gives all the required info in an simply digestible manner.

There’s a good quantity of space for storing obtainable up entrance; from a configurable centre console to a large glovebox and slender door bins. Two giant central cupholders will swallow nearly any takeaway espresso, or a pair of huge drink bottles.

Whereas the entrance row is roomy, the second row is tight on area which is not any shock for a automobile of this dimension. Leg room and head room are restricted, though the seats themselves are comparatively cozy and toe room is plentiful.

A few average-sized adults can squeeze in for brief journeys, however the again seats ought to be handled as a youngsters zone or storage shelf. That’s very true of the center seat, which is finest saved for emergencies.

Small home windows and darkish headlining make the second row really feel much more cramped than it’s, regardless of the presence of the sunroof up entrance.

Whereas area is restricted, the MG 3 nonetheless provides some useful second row facilities together with a single USB-A outlet and twin air vents, plus storage within the type of map pockets and tight door bins. No centre armrest or cupholders although – a disappointing omission.

The MG 3 makes up for its lack of rear legroom with 293 litres of boot capability – greater than the Suzuki Swift Hybrid (265L), Toyota Yaris Hybrid (270L), and Mazda 2 (250L).

Volkswagen’s Polo (351L) and the BYD Dolphin (345L) paved the way, however the MG 3 nonetheless provides a deep storage space, albeit with a steep load lip.

There’s a chunky step as much as the bench storage space too, which makes it more durable to load cumbersome gadgets. The bench itself folds as a single piece.

Different options of the boot embrace a tyre restore equipment – no spare right here – and a trio of top-tether factors for securing little one seats.

To see how the MG 3 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Hybrid tech is the headline replace for the brand new MG 3 vary, rising energy output to 155kW on Hybrid+ fashions. The hybrid powertrain within the MG 3 packs extra punch than the Toyota Yaris Hybrid and mild-hybrid Suzuki Swift Hybrid, however each rivals are extra gasoline environment friendly.

To see how the MG 3 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device

How does the MG 3 drive?

The brand new MG 3 Hybrid+ provides a singular set of driving traits in comparison with its friends, setting it other than the competitors.

The hybrid system doesn’t really feel like an afterthought or a advertising and marketing gimmick. Moderately, it brings a brand new degree of refinement to the section – a trait that hasn’t historically been related to the carmaker Down Underneath.

On urgent the beginning/cease button you’re greeted by… peaceable silence. Hybrid variations of the MG 3 fortunately full low-speed suburban journeys in EV mode, zipping round with no sound.

It’s a calming strategy to get round city, and your pockets will thanks. We didn’t fairly match MG’s gasoline consumption declare, however 5.7L/100km in the actual world remains to be higher than simply about any petrol-only competitor.

Electrical energy has turned the MG 3 right into a nippy little factor, too, with instantaneous throttle response and loads of torque – loads of enjoyable in even the least conducive driving conditions.

The throttle and brake pedals have a pleasant weight to them, and the MG 3 adjustments path with conviction when steered through an ergonomic squared-off wheel.

The petrol engine kicks in underneath arduous acceleration and at larger speeds, and the transition between EV and hybrid driving is seamless.

MG says the hybrid will full the 0-100km/h dash in 8.0 seconds and I don’t doubt that declare – it feels genuinely fast each off the road and when it comes to ‘in-gear’ acceleration.

A 3-speed automated transmission cycles by means of the gears with CVT-like smoothness.

In hindsight it’s stunning how well-sorted the MG 3 Hybrid+ feels on the street, having had a vastly worse expertise behind the wheel of a brand new MG ZS with the identical powertrain.

The ZS appeared confused by its lack of ratios, simply turning into ‘caught’ at 3000-4000rpm throughout on a regular basis driving. That wasn’t the case within the MG 3, which leaned on electrical energy when potential and shifted confidently underneath the load of the petrol engine.

Whereas the hybrid powertrain passes with flying colors, trip consolation within the new MG 3 is simply common. It’s hardly an achilles heel, however you’re feeling imperfections within the street and the automobile tends to bounce over pace humps and potholes. Not that many automobiles within the small automobile section are going to trip like a Rolls-Royce, although.

The small dimensions of the MG 3 are a blessing on the subject of parking, and the Essence Hybrid+ is supplied with a stable 360-degree digital camera make life that little bit simpler.

All in all, the brand new MG 3 Hybrid+ does a implausible job as an entry-level metropolis automobile, and it doesn’t collapse if you hit the freeway, both.

As you’d count on, 155kW is useful when merging and overtaking at speeds exceeding 80km/h. Manoeuvres that you simply wouldn’t dare thought-about within the underpowered Swift Hybrid are simply accomplished within the MG 3 Hybrid+ – a win for security and the driving expertise alike.

As soon as on top of things, the MG Pilot semi-autonomous driving system comes into its personal. Whereas many rivals make do with primary adaptive cruise management, MG Pilot can even take steering duties off your arms.

It’s one factor to supply such tech, however one other factor fully for it to operate as meant. And after every week of freeway commuting, I can safely say that MG Pilot is a wonderful system for a car at this worth level.

I rapidly trusted the MG 3 to keep up constant pace and lane positioning in a clean method, though it typically feels such as you’re rocking forwards and backwards a short while cruising at triple determine speeds.

The cabin additionally stays comparatively quiet when touring cross nation –  we encountered no points with extreme street or wind noise all through our check.

Like many new automobiles on our roads, the superior driver help methods (ADAS) are overly delicate of their default settings, though the warning chimes emitted by the audio system aren’t too loud or annoying.

Configurable ADAS settings may be discovered inside the infotainment menus, enabling homeowners to set the automobile as much as their liking.

To see how the MG 3 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device

What do you get?

The MG 3 vary is break up into base-model Excite and top-spec Essence grades, with a number of minor variations between the petrol and hybrid variations.

To see how the MG 3 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device

Is the MG 3 secure?

The brand new MG 3 wears a three-star ANCAP security score, based mostly on checks performed in 2024.

Normal security gear contains:

• 6 airbags
  • Twin entrance
  • Twin front-side
  • Twin facet curtain
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep help
• Emergency lane-keep help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Clever cruise help
  • Site visitors jam help
  • Steering, acceleration, braking help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Clever pace help 
• Reversing digital camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Tyre strain monitoring

To see how the MG 3 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device

How a lot does the MG 3 value to run?

MG Australia provides an industry-leading, unconditional 10-year/250,000km guarantee for its mannequin vary, together with the MG 3.

To see how the MG 3 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 3

The brand new MG 3 is an enormous step up over the previous mannequin, nevertheless it should be given the worth premium you’re now anticipated to pay.

At $30,000 earlier than on-road prices, the flagship Essence is enjoying in a brand new ballpark, and to MG’s credit score it hasn’t introduced a lemon to a knife battle.

With the hybrid powertrain, the brand new MG 3 is way extra subtle on the street than rivals missing any type of electrification. It’s quiet at metropolis speeds, with oodles of silent torque to make swift progress.

When the petrol engine kicks within the Essence stays quiet and composed, unfazed by busy highways.

On prime of a totally improved powertrain, you additionally get a stable suite of tech and a market-leading 10-year, 250,000km guarantee.

Nevertheless, the inside nonetheless feels very low cost, there are query marks over security, and the dearth of wi-fi smartphone mirroring will likely be famous by youthful patrons who usually tend to be available in the market for an inexpensive small automobile.

And it’s inconceivable to disregard that inflated price ticket. You possibly can actually store round with a $30-35k finances, from acquainted rivals to left of centre choices such because the Volkswagen Polo and upcoming BYD Dolphin Important.

For its absolutely electrical powertrain, I’d be significantly contemplating the Dolphin, whereas the Toyota Yaris is king from each a construct high quality and depreciation perspective.

If neither tickle your fancy, the MG 3 is a good little package deal. The Essence is certainly the decide of the hybrid variants, with additional gear that simply justifies the $2000 premium over the usual Hybrid+.

Excited by shopping for an MG 3? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

Click on the photographs for the complete gallery

MORE: Every thing MG 3