MG has added extra security gear to its entry-level mannequin, netting it a greater ANCAP score than earlier than.
The Chinese language auto model quietly added a entrance centre airbag and a driver monitoring system to MG 3 automobiles produced from April 30, 2025 onwards.
These adjustments, plus enhancements to the sunshine hatchback’s collision avoidance functionality, have seen impartial auto security authority ANCAP award the MG 3 a better four-star score following one other spherical of testing.
That’s up one star from the security score it acquired final 12 months, additionally beneath the identical 2023-25 take a look at protocols, and it applies to all the MG 3 lineup.
An MG Motor Australia spokesperson confirmed there have been no adjustments to pricing for the MG 3 regardless of the security upgrades, so MG’s rival for the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris remains to be priced between $20,990 earlier than on-road prices for the bottom petrol-powered Vibe and $31,990 drive-away for the hybrid Essence.
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The up to date MG 3 acquired an grownup occupant safety rating of 74 per cent, a baby occupant safety rating of 75 per cent, a susceptible street consumer safety rating of 81 per cent, and a security help rating of 70 per cent.
That’s up from final 12 months’s scores of 72 per cent, 74 per cent, 76 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively.
The ANCAP report notes the MG 3’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system has been enhanced, and may now autonomously brake to keep away from crashes when turning throughout or into the trail of an oncoming automobile.
Whereas ANCAP praised MG for taking steps in the correct course, it sounded warning over the MG 3’s efficiency in a single specific crash take a look at.
Within the frontal offset crash take a look at, which simulates a head-on collision at 50km/h with one other automobile travelling the identical pace, “the right-side adjuster of the motive force’s seat failed”.
ANCAP stated this brought on it to twist in the course of the affect, leading to higher hundreds on the motive force dummy’s proper leg and subsequently a Poor score for defense of that physique half.
“The driving force dummy’s head was additionally noticed to ‘backside out’ the airbag in opposition to the steering wheel, and head safety was scored as Satisfactory,” the security authority stated in its launch.
“This uplift from three stars to 4 stars is a step in the correct course, but the seat latch failure shouldn’t be one thing we anticipate to see, and is trigger for warning,” stated ANCAP chief government Carla Hoorweg.
“It’s clear that MG is making an attempt arduous to deliver improved merchandise to market. What we wish to see, nonetheless, is a give attention to high quality in addition to security. These components go hand-in-hand.
“The failure of the seat adjuster elevated the chance of harm to the motive force. Key automobile elements like this could be capable to stand up to this typical urban-environment crash.”
Ms Hoorweg stated she expects MG to replace the hatchback as soon as once more, although present testing protocols don’t apply penalties for this particular failure past the general impact on scores for automobile occupant safety.
“We anticipate MG to make a operating change to rectify the fault, and transfer to retrospectively repair affected automobiles already available in the market,” she stated.
ANCAP has flagged it’ll work with Euro NCAP to overview this facet of its testing protocols, successfully threatening to ding manufacturers that “decide to not rectify or enhance failed security components”.
The security authority says it has a job as a client advocate to carry producers to account.
“MG is dedicated to persevering with to enhance security throughout our vary of automobiles wherever attainable. We’re proud to see the MG 3 obtain a better security score throughout its vary,” stated an MG Motor Australia spokesperson.
“Our group has labored to enhance the security of this mannequin and to make sure it was re-tested. We’ve taken ANCAP’s testing outcomes and suggestions on board and can incorporate this data into future fashions.”
All MG 3s come normal with the next security gear:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Clever Cruise Help
- Lane-keep help
- Emergency lane-keep help
- Driver monitoring system
- Tyre strain monitoring
- Reversing digital camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
- Far-side airbag
Excite variants moreover get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with Essence variants additionally that includes a surround-view digital camera.
The MG 3 isn’t the one mannequin from the Chinese language model to obtain security upgrades after which be re-tested by ANCAP.
After receiving a zero-star score in 2023, MG made updates to its MG 5 small sedan, which noticed it obtain a three-star score this 12 months.
