MG 3 Review 2024

The MG3 is probably the best hatchback you haven’t put on your shortlist. Launched in 2013, then facelifted in 2018, the MG3 might be long in the tooth, but it remains a credible alternative to the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. Not only is it surprisingly good fun to drive, it’s also well-equipped, stylish and, in recent times, backed by a seven-year warranty. It’s let down by sub-standard interior quality, a mediocre safety rating and a dated 1.5-litre petrol engine. None of this stops the MG3 from being a very likeable car.

Launched in 2013, the MG3 competes against the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio and Skoda Fabia, with prices that pitch it against the Dacia Sandero and Mitsubishi Mirage. In truth, it's a much better car than the Mirage, so the MG3 is the small hatch to buy if you fancy something a little different.

There’s nothing fancy or outlandish about the MG3. It’s a straightforward, five-seater, five-door small car, with new models backed by a seven-year warranty. Not bad for a car that costs less than £13,500, even in its most lavish trim level. The entry-level MG3 is around £12,000, although you can buy an early used example for £3500.

Post-facelift cars cost more, but the reward is a much-improved cabin, an upgraded infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a completely new look. Sure, the styling of the newer model is likely to be more widely accepted, but we rather miss the individualism of the earlier MG3. We also think the pre-facelift car is marginally nicer to drive.

Not everyone will appreciate the way it performs on the road. Take the 1.5-litre petrol engine, which feels like it would have been acceptable in the 80s. High CO2 emissions, barely adequate fuel economy, and a need for it to be revved hard – these will all come as a shock to small hatch owners accustomed to the punch and efficiency of a small turbocharged petrol engine.

Then there’s the ride quality, which is firm, bordering on crashy. We happen to like the steering feel, tidy cornering and grip, but others might prefer a little more suppleness to go with their small hatch. We think it’s one of the best driver’s cars in its class – good enough to rival the last-generation Ford Fiesta in terms of raw appeal.

We should also mention the equipment, which is generous, even on the entry-level version. The new eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system is excellent, with a crisp and clear display, plus a host of neat features. When you consider the most expensive MG3 undercuts a basic Fiesta or Corsa by around £3000, you start to wonder if there’s a catch.

Well, there is. In fact, there are a few. Take the three-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which was mediocre in 2013, but poor in 2020. Modern driver assistance features are conspicuous by their absence, too – the MG3 lacks the safety net you’ll find in many small hatches.

Then there’s that 1.5-litre engine, which is outmoded in an era of electrification and turbocharging. And although the interior impresses with its equipment and styling details, especially following the facelift, it lacks the quality of its nearest rivals.

But none of this detracts from what is a surprisingly easy car to love. It has its faults, but the MG3 is a stylish, well-equipped and enjoyable take on the standard small hatch recipe.

The MG3 is in fact, probably one of the best handling cars in its class.

Body-roll is kept in check and there’s loads of grip from the 16-inch wheels. We also like the steering, which is well-weighted and offers plenty of feel. When we start drawing comparisons with the Ford Fiesta, you know that we’re dealing with something special.

The flipside is ride quality that feels crashy over rough surfaces. We rather like the firmness, but buyers at the budget end of the market might prefer something with more cushioning. Nonetheless, the MG3 is great fun to thread through a series of bends on a British B-road. Still want that MGB, etc?

The 1.5-litre VTI-Tech engine felt outmoded in 2013, so it’s just about ready for retirement in 2020. In an era of electrification and small turbocharged engines, the 1.5-litre unit is a bit of a dinosaur. It produces a reasonably healthy 106PS, but with peak power at 6000rpm, it needs a lot of work to get the best from it. Do this too often and you’ll leave a big hole in the fuel economy.

Zero to 62mph takes 10.4 seconds, while the top speed is 108mph. It’s a shame that the MG3 isn’t powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, but you can’t have everything.

The MG3 was awarded a three-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2014. Not great, but not a disaster for a budget-led small hatch. However, it’s something to consider when you’re being wowed by the low prices.

It lacks the safety features we take for granted in 2020. There’s no autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance or blind-spot monitoring, while the cruise control (not on the Excite model) is of the conventional sort.

Thanks to a maximum towing capacity of just 200kg, the MG3 isn’t an ideal tow car.

Luggage capacity of 285 litres is about par for the course in this segment, but the MG3 is let down by a high loading lip and narrow boot opening.

The capacity drops to 256 litres in models with a spare wheel. Folding the rear seats increases the size of the boot to 1262 litres, which is excellent for a car of this size. The seats don’t fold entirely flat, which could cause a few problems if you’re trying to load large and awkward items.

The rear doors open wide, so it’s easy to get into the back. Once there, you’ll find plenty of legroom and headroom, even for the tallest of passengers. There are two Isofix points in the back and map pockets on the backs of the front seats. Being critical, we’d like to see more storage options in the front, but overall the MG3 is a very practical car.

A real effort has been made to make the interior feel good, and this is especially true following the facelift in 2018. It’s far from a premium product, but it’s certainly above budget. Mid-range, then, which is impressive.

Little touches like the flat-bottomed steering wheel impress, as did the little MG badges on the inside of the headlights on the pre-facelift model. Don’t forget, the MG3 comes with a seven-year warranty, so the company must believe in its product.

The MG3 has always impressed in terms of infotainment. From launch, it had a colourful touchscreen with a comprehensive list of features, although it lags behind its rivals in terms of smartphone connectivity.

All that changed with the 2018 facelift, with the new eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system boasting a crisp display and a host of features. DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, but you’ll need to upgrade to the Exclusive Nav version for sat-nav. It costs just £200 more than the Exclusive trim, so it’s worth the additional cost.

The entry-level Excite costs £12,195, while the Exclusive model costs £13,295. From there, it’s just a £200 step up to Exclusive Nav trim.

For some context, the cheapest Ford Fiesta costs £16,640, while the most affordable Vauxhall Corsa is priced at £16,415. Throw the MG3’s specification and warranty into the mix, and the MG3 looks like incredible value for money.

A four-year PCP deal on a new MG3 could cost as little as £149 a month. This is based on a four-year contract, a deposit of £2000 and 8,000 miles per annum. It’s only £20 a month to upgrade to the Exclusive or Exclusive Nav model.

Used examples start from around £3500. This is based on a 2013 example with up to 100,000 miles on the clock. The MG3 is more popular with private retail customers, so mileages will be lower. There are also many one-owner cars available, which is a good sign. Even facelifted cars are available for less than £8000.

Officially, the 1.5-litre VTI-tech engine will return 42.3mpg on a combined cycle. This isn’t great, especially when you consider the efficiency of the modern breed of 1.0-litre turbocharged engines. The 1.5 engine seems a bit dated in this regard.

That said, the Real MPG suggests that the claimed figure isn’t too far wide of the mark. You should see 41.9mpg in daily use, which is just 0.4mpg short of the official fuel economy. That’s pretty good.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the emissions, with the 1.5-litre emitting 152g/km of CO2. That equates to a Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) payment of £540 in the first year, falling to £150 in the second year. 

As for insurance, the MG3 Excite slots into group seven (out of 50), with the Exclusive models just a group higher. This means getting cover should be affordable for most people.

Explore features LED daytime running lights, 14-inch steel wheels, radio with USB, Bluetooth telephone connection, tyre pressure monitoring, hill hold control, rear ISOFIX child seat points, fabric seats, tilt adjust steering column.

Excite adds air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, body coloured rear spoiler, body coloured door handles and mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, reverse parking sensors, eight-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, DAB radio, Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming, remote centrol locking.

Exclusive comes with sports seats, cruise control, reversing camera, six speakers, map pockets.