MG3 Review: The Vertu VERDICT
"Athletic and practical, compact in size but spacious inside – the MG3 is an easy winner for those looking for a pragmatic, agile city car. With a dash of sharp, sporty heritage in appearance, a spacious interior and all the modern tech you could ask for, the MG3 makes for an excellent value choice, particularly if you’re after a no-hassle hybrid."
Video Review of the MG3
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MG3: The Key Features
- With plenty of competitors in the supermini sector, the MG3 makes a name for itself by undercutting the rest and offering excellent value for money
- Available as a 1.5-litre manual petrol or a 1.5-litre petrol hybrid, the MG3 is an effortless, agile city car, with a touch of MG’s sporty DNA in its appearance
- The electric motor in the hybrid model is very involved, taking centre stage with the support of the petrol engine, rather than the other way around – giving the car the smoothness, acceleration and response of an EV with the reassurance of a petrol engine for more demanding trips
- For its small size, the MG3 has generous cabin space with console cup holders, an armrest bin and a 293-litre boot, with easily foldable rear seats increasing capacity to an even more impressive 983 litres
- Interior connectivity features include a 10.25-inch colour infotainment screen, a 7-inch digital driver display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Who is the MG3 Best Suited To?
- City commuters who want something compact, but practical enough for motorway travel and daily life
- Small families who want a great value hatchback without sacrificing five doors
- Those looking to reduce running costs with a smaller hybrid
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MG3 Trim Levels & Equipment
MG3 Specifications | Powertrain | Standard Equipment |
|---|---|---|
MG3 Petrol SE |
| MG Pilot driver assistance systems, 10.25" floating colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, 6-speaker audio system, satellite navigation with speed limit recognition, front and rear electric windows, driver’s 6-way adjustable seat, Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable, heated body colour door mirrors, 16" alloy wheels, 4 x USB ports |
MG3 Hybrid+ SE |
| All Petrol equipment, as well as Auto air conditioning, electric parking brake with auto-hold |
MG3 Hybrid+ Trophy |
| All SE equipment, as well as rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot detection with lane change assist, LED projector headlights, leather-style upholstery with cloth inserts, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 360° camera, keyless entry with push-button engine start, rain-sensing wipers, Rear privacy glass |
MG3 Technical Specifications
MG3 Technical Specifications | MG3 Petrol SE | MG3 Hybrid+ SE | MG3 Hybrid+ Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|
Type | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Seats | 5 Seats | 5 Seats | 5 Seats |
Powertrain | Manual 1.5-litre Petrol | 1.5-litre hybrid | 1.5-litre hybrid |
Power | 115PS | 102PS | 102PS |
0-62mph | 10.8 seconds | 8 seconds | 8 seconds |
CO2 Emissions | 137g/km | 100 g/km | 100 g/km |
Boot Space | 293-litres seats up, 983-litres folded flat | 293-litres seats up, 983-litres folded flat | 293-litres seats up, 983-litres folded flat |
EuroNCAP Safety Rating | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 4 Stars |
What We Like About the MG3
- Fantastic value-for-money hatchback, reducing costs even further in its hybrid guise
- Lively acceleration and agile handling with suspension designed to absorb impacts at any speed
- A comfortable, cubby-filled interior with 6-way adjustable, heated front seats
- The modern, 10.25-inch infotainment screen complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with other features more befitting of a pricey SUV
- MG Pilot assistance with active emergency braking, lane keep assist, speed limit assist and a driver monitoring system to keep driver and passengers safe
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Hybrid Hatchbacks To Also Consider...
Toyota Aygo X
The Toyota Aygo X scores very high for reliability, with Toyota themselves having an excellent reputation across the board. If indestructibility, unique character and an industry-leading 10-year warranty are what you’re after, there’s a good chance the Aygo X will be more up your street.
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Renault Clio
Another small, city-suited mainstay is the Renault Clio – now sharper and more stylish than ever. If you’re after something small but sculpted, with some tasteful French flair, the newest Clio is worth a peek.
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MG ZS
If the MG3 is calling your name, but you need more space, the MG ZS is definitely worth considering. Also available as a hybrid, the 443-litre boot provides ample space for those who prioritise space for pushchairs, dogs or simply larger shopping trips.
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* Details correct at the time of publication
Review Published: Oct 2026
- MG
- New Cars