MG3 review

Quick verdict

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.

MG3: price, specs and rivals

MG is a brand that’s rapidly on the up. Between 2021 and 2023, it has seen a hefty 64 per cent growth in its sales, lifting the brand from 18,000 sales in 2020 to 81,000 last year. 

Cars like the all-electric MG4 have played a massive part in bumping up those numbers, but now the brand has decided to wade into the supermini segment to continue that impressive growth. 

When it appeared in 2007, the previous MG3 wasn’t all that competitive in the small car arena. Yes, it was very cheap, and it even handled quite well, but in every other respect, it fell well short of the standards expected to compete with the best in the supermini class. 

The all-new model changes all of that – and drastically. The five-door hatchback has gained a vast injection of tech, including a hybrid powertrain that gives the MG3 class-leading performance – at least on paper. 

Due to its mix of petrol and electric power, the closest competition to the MG3 is the Toyota Yaris and the multiple award-winning Renault Clio, which is one of our favourite superminis. The non-hybrid Skoda Fabia is also a very talented supermini alternative. However, with a price starting from £18,495, the MG3 is significantly cheaper than any of those cars, falling more closely in line with the Suzuki Swift. And the aggressive pricing isn’t going to end there, either. Later in 2024, MG will release a pure petrol powered model, which could start from as low as £15,000. That puts it directly in the sights of the Dacia Sandero and Citroen C3.

There are two trim levels, with the base model SE coming with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, the 10.25-inch infotainment screen with navigation and electric windows all around. The top-of-the-range Trophy costs £2,000 more than the SE, and adds LED headlights, blind spot detection, heated front seats and steering wheel, plus a 360-degree parking camera, among other features. Whichever model you choose, you’ll get an awful lot of tech for the cash.

Should you buy an MG3?

There’s a huge amount to like about the MG. Its sharp-handling chassis makes it fun to drive, yet it balances this out with a compliant ride and strong refinement. The hybrid system delivers a level of performance that blows its rivals away, yet despite this, it’s relaxing to drive and almost as frugal as those much slower alternatives. Equipment levels are strong, and while there are some question marks over the marque’s ownership satisfaction scores, there is plenty else to appreciate. 

While we do think there are one or two small areas that could be improved, they’re very easy to forgive when the MG3 is significantly cheaper than any of its closest competitors.