Road test MG3 Hybrid+: compact, full hybrid, good price

They had disappeared and now they have quickly taken around 2% of the market, or rather a little more, thanks to “product and price” as many Italians need these days, in the field of new cars. Let’s talk about MG, whose new target is 2024 reach 3% in Italy: like certain Korean and Japanese houses. Except that they are British in terms of history and brand, Chinese in terms of upstream industry, close to the scaled-down target of the current average driver.

Many thought they knew everything about the MG brand, reducing themselves to thinking that now “it is Chinese” and that it will simply “sell new electric cars or cars with plugs at a good price”. Here is the new 2024 MG3 range which does not have a plug, being a full hybrid and cannot even be defined as low-cost, given that it is aimed at the mid-range in the B segment where costs easily exceed 20K.

Where does the hybrid MG3 fit on the market?

After the ZS and HS, as well as the MG4, who knows if this new MG3 will also be strong enough in registrations to reach the sales podium in its segment. THE 70 dealers and 125 assistance points in Italy there are also agreements with those who rent. Soon, also the due national spare parts warehouse.

To those who were expecting an electric compact, however, from the Chinese group Saicthe surprise of a 4 cylinder petrol engine, under the hood of the MG3. Electrified obviously, but not mild-hybrid: to compete in the classic B segment, which weighs on the Italian market, with bitter list prices for the old driver of the retired Fiat Punto, the Chinese and the European (English) department have chosen that half-measure of the full-hybrid.

Like Toyota, exactly, but made differently and not a little technically: so much so that MG managers spare no words, defining it as “superior” to its rivals. Ready for delivery soon, after the first months of waiting for this spring 2024 debut, here are the details and the post-first short road test comment of the MG3.

Live, as it is inside and out

The company’s first compact full-hybrid is simple in shapes, linear, without sharp edges but not even purely rounded: the MG3 takes up 4.11 meters in length, like an old SLK, but here we are in the middle of the B segment and in front you are comfortable for every size.

Not very personal, perhaps, but with worthy shelves and compartments in the cockpit: 25 also well positioned and covered. In the top of the range trim, the soft covering of some upper parts (imitation leather) and the key-less access stand out, while for all there are the two instrument displays (7 inches) and Infotainment (10.25 inches).

On the second, simple to manage menus with necessary functions without exaggeration. The graphics improve in general compared to previous MG models, with the right information on hybrid driving in front of the driver and very “easy” navigation. There is also a button panel, but the full controls are via digital touch-screen, while there are four USB connections. The luggage compartment (which hides the 12V battery in the bottom) offers at least 293 litres.

Driving and performance, MG3

Behind the wheel the MG3 impresses with its sensitivity different mechanics and engine, compared to the average of the small mild 3-cylinder engines now in vogue, often manual, or even electric.

Here, electric driving at low speeds is always ready, with that battery and it doesn’t even run out quickly (it’s 1.83 kWh, double compared to other full-hybrids). The “change” is not so sensitive three gears, automatichow much of the traction: that it becomes hybrid at medium speeds (approximately 51-80 km/h, the sooner you can travel a lot in EV) e pure thermal only in the sprints or fully loaded.

Variable sounds and vibrations therefore, but not analogous to hybrids with CVT, to which, if of small displacement, the MG3 can “give” something strong 195 hp combined.

Enough to do 0-100 km/h in 8 seconds, powered by a 100 kW electric motor, also powered by the 45 kW generator and the petrol engine 1.5 102 HP. The regeneration levels also vary, changing the three driving modes, to give declared consumption in Eco of 4.4 l/100 km Wltp and 100 grams of CO2.

Very appreciable, also maneuvering for the B segment, the 360° vision thanks to the cameras. In terms of perceivable quality there are no major flaws that can be reported, while the feeling given to the driver is very neutral going “to code” with relative lightness (approximately 1,300 kg of mass) and welcome thrust of the electro-cavalry, when granted: actually not from all for a compact of this price.

Only by going too fast can corner entry and emergency braking bring you back to the target. While boasting various Adas, as due (LKA, LDW, ACC, ICA, FCW and TJA) also from European systems engineers in some cases (see Bosch).

On the market and in the fleet.

Price list from 19,990 euros at 23,490 euros, with three trim levels and seven years/150,000 km warranty, for the MG3. With the new 2024 bonuses ready to be exploited by reducing the range access to 16,490 euros.

Financing? Launch at 99 euros / month with MG Boost, remembering that the purchasing economy will be a strong point of the MG3. We’ll see how it will approach fleets and car-lists, or vice versa, also taking into account the value of electrification which is quite “heavy” for a compact car.

Video interview

Soon, on this page the video interview on the MG3 with the contact person responsible for the commercial part of MG Italia, Luca Contartese.

Technical Sheet – MG3 Hybrid+

Dimensions (metres): Height 1.5 / Length. 4.1 / Width. 1.79 – Pitch 2.57
Passengers: 5
Mass (kg): 1,285
Luggage compartment (litres): from 293
Front-wheel drive
Engine: HEV hybrid
Thermal: 1.5 petrol 4 cylinder Atkinson cycle 102 HP / 128 Nm
Electric: 100 kW – 250 Nm
Combined power: 195 HP
Transmission: automatic (hydraulic) 3-speed
Battery: 1.83 kWh – 350 V
Max speed (km/h): 170
0-100 km/h (seconds) 8.0
80-120 km/h (seconds) 5.0
CO2 (g/km Wltp) 100
Consumption (l/100km Wltp) 4.4