Summary
The MG 3 (styled as MG3) is a small, supermini-class, five-door hatchback. This is the latest third-generation model, which MG has calls the ‘MG3 Hybrid+’ due to its petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
The supermini has received an encouraging set of good review scores from the British motoring media so far, as Alex Ingram of Auto Express argues the MG “among the most fun to drive, comfortable and best-equipped cars in its class”, while the Carbuyer team praises the hatchback for its “punchy hybrid system” and its “very competitive price”.
As of October 2024, the MG 3 Hybrid+ holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 70%. The car’s commendable UK review scores are aided by a good eco rating and low running costs.
MG 3 highlights
- Fun driving experience
- Efficient and punchy hybrid engine
- Affordable price tag
MG 3 lowlights
- Rivals offer more boot space
- No steering wheel reach adjustment
- Some cheap interior plastics
Key specifications
Body style: Small hatchback
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £18,495 on-road
Launched: Summer 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The MG3 is among the most fun to drive, comfortable and best-equipped cars in its class. It’s also easily the fastest while returning strong fuel consumption figures. That it achieves all of this while vastly undercutting pretty much every other rival on price makes it a proper supermini star.”
Author: Alex Ingram
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Score: 5 / 10
“True to its value brand credentials, the MG3 Hybrid undercuts similar hybrid superminis like the Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris and Mazda 2 Hybrid, but you can feel where that money has been saved. Low cost of entry and a seven-year warranty count in its favour but you get what you pay for and we’d be happy spending a little more for the extra quality of the Renault, Toyota or Mazda.”
Author: Dan Trent
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The MG 3 Hyvbrid is an impressive new supermini that offers comfort, practicality, lots of technology and hybrid power for several grand less than its rivals.”
Author: Kris Culmer
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Though its predecessor failed to make much of an impression, the latest MG3 represents a huge step forward. It features an efficient and punchy hybrid system and a well-equipped interior – not only that, it’s also fun to drive, and you get all this for a very competitive price, winning it big points.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Alex Ingram
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The MG3 offers more power and performance than its hybrid alternatives for less money, but it feels its price in places.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The MG 3 has achieved a repeat of the MG 4 EV’s knock-out value for money. It’s a hugely competent supermini, packing a full hybrid drivetrain and almost 200hp, for similar sums of money for cars with little more than half the power. Comparable hybrids, such as the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris are significantly more expensive – food for thought for all of the opposition.”
Author: Keith Adams
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Model reviewed: Trophy
“The MG 3 Hybrid is a fun, comfy car that’s perfect for short journeys and city driving – but the best bit is the price.”
Author: Rob Gill
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Model reviewed: Trophy
Score: 8 / 10
“While the headline here is the cheapest full hybrid model in the UK, the MG 3 isn’t that much cheaper than its rivals unless you take the level of equipment into account. Although the MG is perfectly adequate as a hybrid model, I’d wager there are those who’d prefer a decent used Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz or even a Renault Clio.”
Author: Andrew English
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Some rivals are better to drive and have better interiors, but the MG3’s cheap price tag, comfortable ride, efficient hybrid engine and standard equipment levels make it a very appealing choice among its small car rivals. We’d stick with the entry-level SE trim, but top-spec Trophy is not a big step up in price.”
Author: Dan Jones
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of October 2024, the MG 3 Hybrid+ has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2024, the MG 3 Hybrid+ has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is lower for an hybrid car) and energy efficiency. Hybrid cars are more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the MG 3 Hybrid+ is likely to score highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG 3 Hybrid+ to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the new MG 3 we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Hybrid models | 64 mpg | A | 64 – 64 mpg | A – A |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Hybrid models | 100 g/km | A | 100 – 100 g/km | A – A |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 21 | A | 21 – 21 | A – A |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £157 | A |
| Year 2 | £442 | A |
| Year 3 | £713 | A |
| Year 4 | £877 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,173 | A |
| Overall | £3,362 | A |
The MG 3 Hybrid+ is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Only available as a petrol/electric hybrid, the MG 3’s average fuel consumption of 64mpg is excellent when compared to the rest of the market at large, and it’s insurance bracket is on the cheap side too.
The car’s predicted servicing and maintenance costs for the first five years of ownership are also excellent, though not as cheap as the larger all-electric MG 4.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the MG 3 Hybrid+ has received.
2024
- Auto Express Awards – Best Affordable Hybrid
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the MG 3 Hybrid+, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Honda Jazz | Hyundai i20 | Kia Rio | Mazda 2 | Mazda 2 Hybrid | Mini Cooper | Nissan Micra | Peugeot 208 | Renault Clio | SEAT Ibiza | Skoda Fabia | Suzuki Swift | Toyota Yaris | Vauxhall Corsa | Volkswagen Polo
More information
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