MG3 - Engines, performance & drive

For several reasons, the petrol/electric hybrid system used in the MG3 is quite unusual compared with its Clio and Yaris rivals. The key detail that sets the MG3 apart is how it uses its electric motor because its rivals use the e-motor as an assistant to the petrol engine, whereas it’s the headline act in the MG3.

Because of this arrangement, the hybrid MG3 behaves more like an EV, accelerating off the mark with the similarly instantaneous response of a fully electric car, with the equivalent Toyota and Renault feeling much less powerful and lethargic off the mark. The electric motor in the MG3 is responsive but not always the easiest to modulate; at low speeds, the throttle is hard to control, making things a bit jerky when backing into a parking space.

Like an electric car, the hybrid MG3 has three levels of regenerative braking, which helps to put some electricity back into the 1.83kWh battery when you’re slowing down. That battery is larger than most rivals to help it drive using electric power as much as possible at lower speeds. When its energy is depleted, the petrol engine quietly awakes to drive a generator that tops the battery up with electricity.

The hybrid MG3's power comes mostly from its electric motor. When more performance is needed, its 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine can send its power directly to the front wheels in combination with the electric motor through a three-speed auto gearbox. 

The total power output is 192bhp, which is significantly more than what you’ll get from the Clio E-Tech or Yaris hybrid, and helps the MG3 to cover the 0-62mph dash in eight seconds flat – significantly quicker than the 9.7 seconds it takes the Yaris to reach the same speed. 

We found that there was a significant lag between mashing the throttle and the petrol engine and electric motor combination in the MG3 giving it its all. However, many other hybrid rivals can be accused of being similarly laggy. The e-motor is so potent at lower speeds, this only becomes an issue when you’re driving enthusiastically or accelerating up a motorway slip road. The top speed of 106mph is more than enough for the UK motorway network.

MG has an engineering team based in Longbridge to set the MG3 up for UK roads, and it shows. Despite a reasonably chunky (by supermini standards) 1,300kg kerb weight for the hybrid version, the MG3 is fun to drive, with plenty of grip. One area that could be improved is the steering, which feels unnatural due to slightly odd weighting. We’d still rate it as more enjoyable to drive than either the Renault Clio or Toyota Yaris, though.

The MG rides fairly well, smoothing out the imperfections of pockmarked roads thanks in no small part to its small 16-inch wheels and large profile tyres. Noise isolation from suspension shocks is also a match for the best European superminis. 

We’ve criticised MGs in the past for overly intrusive driver aids, but things have improved dramatically on this current model. On narrow roads, it’s far less likely to tug at the wheel when it thinks you’re about to cross a white line, making it much less irritating. If it still grates, it can be turned off.