First Drive: MG3 Hatchback
MG’s story is an interesting one. MG’s roots trace back to 1924 in Britain, but its modern chapter began in 2007 under the Chinese state-owned SAIC Motor Group. Considering how strongly Eastern brands have grown worldwide, it’s hardly surprising MG followed a similar path.
Locally, MG made its debut in 2011 with models such as the MG6, MG3, and MG7. However, the brand struggled to gain traction and eventually withdrew from the local market around 2016. It was a tough market back then since Korean, German and Japanese players were already thriving and carving out loyal followings in SA. Fast forward about a decade, and MG is back. It’s only when you take a moment to sit down and really notice that you see how ambitious the brand actually is, and in a market like Mzansi, where Chinese cars are thriving, that ambition makes sense.
In fact, just six months after its relaunch, MG has already moved around 2,000 units. Not bad at all, especially when you consider the range is made up of only three models: the ZS, HS and Cyberster. On top of that, its dealer network is growing fast, with 44 dealerships already up and running and another six set to open before the year is out.
What’s the new addition?
Called the MG3, this is the brand’s fourth addition to the local line-up, available in two trims: Comfort and Luxury. The range is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine. The Comfort can be had with either a 5-speed manual or CVT, while the Luxury comes exclusively with a CVT and a hybrid variant that pairs the same engine with an electric motor.
At the recent launch in the Western Cape, we only had the chance to drive the Luxury and Hybrid variants. But before diving into how they perform, it’s worth noting that the MG3 is actually in its third generation. While it may feel like a brand-new nameplate locally, the hatchback has been around internationally since 2008. And honestly, its arrival couldn’t make more sense. At a time when many manufacturers are stepping away from hatchbacks, the MG3 fills a real gap. Just think about it: the Kia Rio, Ford Figo and Fiesta, and Nissan Micra are all gone. What’s left are only a handful of options, like the VW Polo and Polo Vivo, Hyundai i20, Suzuki Swift, and the Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Starlet twins, to name a few.
With a starting price of R269,900 for the base model and stretching all the way up to R469,900, the MG3 isn’t exactly what you’d call budget-friendly. On paper, the entry price looks competitive, especially when you consider that VW’s Polo Vivo starts at R271,900. But as you move further up the MG3 range, the numbers begin to raise the question: does it still make sense? For some buyers, yes. For others, maybe not.
Take the Suzuki Swift, for example. Its range kicks off at R224,900 and tops out at R291,900, solid value for money in a segment where affordability is key. The Toyota Starlet is another strong player, starting at R268,300 and going up to R327,600. Sure, neither of these offers a hybrid option, but in this price-sensitive corner of the market, that’s not always the deciding factor.
That aside, how is the car inside?
We kicked things off in the hybrid, and it’s an interesting package, one that should appeal to value-driven, tech-friendly buyers looking for a practical runaround that doesn’t try too hard to be what it’s not. That said, a closer look inside reveals some clear cost-cutting, particularly on the dash and door panels. It’s not unexpected at this price point, but it does stand out in places.
On the upside, the seats are comfortable, with plenty of adjustment for the driver, and the 10-inch infotainment screen is crisp and intuitive. The downside? It only supports wired Apple CarPlay, a bit of a letdown considering many rivals now offer it wirelessly. Still, paired with the 7-inch digital instrument cluster and standard electric windows all round, it feels reasonably well-equipped.
Fit and finish have never been MG’s strongest suit, and while the MG3 is decent, it’s not class-leading. There are some soft-touch materials where it matters, the armrests and steering wheel, for instance, but hard plastics on the dash feel particularly cheap.
On the practical side, the MG3 measures 4,113mm in length, making it slightly longer than rivals such as the Starlet, Polo Vivo and Swift. That translates to a bit more passenger space, and during the drive, head- and legroom proved comfortably adequate. The 293-litre boot is right on par for the segment and easily swallows a couple of suitcases or grocery bags. Worth noting, though, is that the hybrid doesn’t come with a spare wheel. You only get a tyre repair kit, since the hybrid battery sits under the boot floor, while petrol-only models still offer a space-saver or full-size spare.
How’s the drive?
With outputs of 155kW and 425Nm, the hybrid variant pairs a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor, fed power by a 1.83kWh battery pack. What’s interesting is how the system is set up. Unlike most hybrids that use the electric motor to assist the petrol engine, the MG3 does it the other way around. It prioritises the hybrid system, so for the most part it feels like you’re driving an EV, with the engine only stepping in when needed.
Power delivery from a standstill is decent, but the experience is let down by the CVT transmission. As is typical of CVTs, it drones under acceleration and tends to hunt for gears, which becomes particularly noticeable when pushing harder. Driving at lower altitudes didn’t help either, as the gearbox felt more strained. We do not doubt that the manual transmission would be the perfect pick here, but it wasn’t available to drive at launch.
Up Sir Lowry’s Pass, the MG3 showed a touch of hesitation. There were moments when we pushed the accelerator and… nothing happened right away. A glitch in the matrix, perhaps? To be fair, our test unit had barely 64km on the clock, and we did notice throttle response gradually improving a few kilometres into the drive. A proper run-in should reveal a more settled performance.
The drive is relaxed and comfortable with a suspension that keeps all things in check. No rattles or funny sounds, especially when driving over bumps. The only frustration comes from the driver-assistance systems, which can feel overly intrusive, and since they default back on every time you restart the car, you’ll find yourself switching them off more often than not.
Switching to the non-hybrid Luxury, the driving experience is largely the same in terms of road comfort and suspension compliance. But without the hybrid’s instant electric shove, it takes its time getting off the line, especially if you need quick acceleration. Another small difference is in the details, where the hybrid gets a modern rotary gear selector, while the Luxury makes do with a more normal shifter.
On the upside, the fuel consumption remains an impressive figure. During the launch drive, we saw the numbers in the hybrid wafting around 4.7l/100km without us even trying, while the conventional model was settling in the sevens, proof enough of the hybrid’s appeal if efficiency is your priority.
From a design perspective, the Luxury model is pretty much the same as the hybrid but without the hybrid system and features such as blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross traffic, autonomous emergency braking, two additional airbags and three drive modes: Eco, Standard and Sport. This is the model that hits the sweet spot, especially when you look at what it brings to the table and its price point..
Is it safe?
The MG3 earned a 3-star ANCAP rating, fairly acceptable for its class. Depending on the variant, it comes equipped with a solid suite of safety and driver-assistance features, including traction control, VDC, Isofix points, Hill Hold Control, Corner Brake Control, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, up to seven airbags, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, speed limit recognition, autonomous emergency braking, and traffic jam assist.
Thoughts – would I buy one?
Good question, and honestly, there's something refreshing about a car that keeps things simple, and that’s exactly what the MG3 does. It’s shaping up to be a hatchback that’s easy to live with, while the hybrid is aiming to keep running costs low and remains one of the most affordable ‘hybrid’ superminis on the market. Sure, the ride could be a touch smoother, some interior elements feel a bit budget, and the tech has its quirks, but overall, it’s a solid all-rounder.
Ideally, a manual-equipped MG3 with the hybrid powertrain would make perfect sense, offering both efficiency and engagement. Sadly, the stick shift is only available on the base Comfort model, so we’d rather have that any day.
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