The MG3 is an important car for the MG brand, and it has been one of the key pillars of the brand’s success in both New Zealand and Australia as well. However, despite the popularity of the original, the new MG3 is basically an all new car from ground up, the only similarity that you’ll see in this car and the old one is just the name. But don’t worry, the improvements are worth it.
If you look at the exterior, it’s got a completely new look and now showcases MG’s new design language. It’s also bigger too, but it is still a very manageable, 4.11m in length, 1.79m width and 1.50m in height.
The front grille is all new, new LED headlights, there are ‘muscle ribs’ on the bonnet and the MG logo now sits on the bonnet too. In fact, the nose is very MG4ish. The profile boasts not one, but two shoulder lines, with one that runs from the LED headlights all the way to the rear door. The wheels are now 16-inches while the rear comes with new LED lights, a diffuser and a tailgate that opens to 293L of luggage space.
It’s an all new interior as well, nothing similar to the old MG3. It’s very advanced, very polished and very refined. There’s a 7-inch high definition instrument cluster, plus a 10.25-inch infotainment screen which is the biggest in its class, both come as standard across the range. The seats are cloth and PU/PVC seats and the cabin layout is actually really roomy – and as we found out later, quiet too.
The digital instrument cluster is easy to read and personalisable too, with the opportunity to check tyre pressure, range, traffic signs and also (in the case of the Hybrid+) the energy flow. While the infotainment screen comes with a 360-degree camera view, navigation, a hefty sound system and Apple/Android connectivity.
It’s also feature-packed when it comes to ADAS (Advanced Driver and Safety) with a suite that includes Adaptive and Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and even Driver Fatigue alert – I could go on and on.
As for choices, you can opt for 2 different powertrains, ICE or Hybrid, 2 trim levels (Excite or Essence), there are 7 body colours and 2 interior colours.
The ICE models come with a 1.5L, 4 Cylinder engine mated to a CVT, together they provide 81kW of power and 142Nm of torque. Fuel economy sits at around 6L/100km, while emissions are around 139g.
Then there’s the Hybrid+, plus being the operative word. It too comes with a 1.5L engine (75kW/128Nm), but also a generator, an electric motor and a big (for a hybrid) 1.83kWh battery and all mated to a 3-speed hybrid transmission. 155kW is the total power output and a zero to 100km/h time of around 8 seconds. Economy is a mere 4.3L/100km and emissions sit at 100g.
For the ‘drive’ part of the NZ launch, I grabbed the keys of the MG3 Hybrid+ and headed west for some motorway and twisty road driving, as I assumed great CBD driving would be a given.
Now I’m not exactly what you’d call tall in stature but the passenger seat does sit a bit high (and can’t be lowered) and the steering column is height adjustable but not telescopic, but those things aside, getting comfortable in either of the front seats is pretty easy. In fact the rear seats are comfortable too, a much taller colleague jumped in the rear and still had ample head and leg room.
Start up is a silent affair, with the Hybrid+ using battery power to get things moving. In fact, it cleverly acts like an EV from 0-30km/h (with just the engine sparking up to power the battery if required). From there on in, as you push the accelerator further, such as travelling from 30+ (or jumping on the highway ramp), the engine, battery and electric motor, all combine to give you the result you want, without you having to think about it. From a driver or passenger point of view, you just get to hear the ICE engine at different times.
The MG3’s acceleration is pretty good, not neck-breaking but brisk off the mark and when on the move, there is a slight pause (nothing more than a kind of turbo lag) as it works out what you’re after and acts accordingly – it’s all very fluid (especially since the transmission is CVT like).
The big surprise was the MG3’s handling, regardless of a little tyre squeal (it is on 55 profiles), it travels around the corners with a sense of fearlessness, even when being pushed out of the driver’s comfort zone, making it an exciting ride.
The big screens offer a lot of information, and yet it’s easy to navigate around, intuitive even and when not driving like a demon, ECO and Normal mode gives you a ‘no need to shout cabin’ silence. Sure this was just an initial taste of what this all-new MG3 has to offer, but I have to say, it’s good, very good.
Then comes the price. I’m certain that some of the original MG3’s appeal was the ‘cheap as chips’ window sticker, but this all-new model has been upgraded in every aspect – and therefore the price has been tweaked too. But with all the new bells and whistles, a starting price of $25,990 and a 7-year warranty, the value is somewhat overwhelming.
