Summary

The MG 3 (styled as MG3) is a small, supermini-class, five-door hatchback. This is the latest third-generation model, which MG has calls the ‘MG3 Hybrid+’ due to its petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

The new model is light years better than the ancient model it replaced, which dated back to 2014 when MG was a very different car company. That car was one of the worst-rated cars in our Expert Rating Index, whereas this one is close to the top of the ratings for small cars.

The new MG 3 has received an encouraging set of good review scores from the British motoring media so far, as Alex Ingram of Auto Express argues the MG “among the most fun to drive, comfortable and best-equipped cars in its class”, while the Carbuyer team praises the hatchback for its “punchy hybrid system” and its “very competitive price”.

Our own editor, Stuart Masson, praises the the new MG 3 for offering “fantastic fuel economy and plenty of equipment for less money than you’d pay almost anywhere else”, although the refinement and driving experience are “lacking compared to a Volkswagen Polo or SEAT Ibiza.”

As of January 2025, the MG 3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 67%. The car’s commendable UK review scores are aided by a good eco rating and low running costs. The main caveat to this score is that the MG 3 has yet to be tested for safety by Euro NCAP. As soon as we have this information, we will update the score accordingly.

MG 3 highlights

Fun driving experience
Efficient and punchy hybrid engine
Affordable price tag

MG 3 lowlights

Rivals offer more boot space
No steering wheel reach adjustment
Some cheap interior plastics

Key specifications

Body style: Small five-door hatchback
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £18,495 on-road

Launched: Summer 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Score: 6 / 10
“The new MG 3 is light years ahead of the old model, and shows just how rapidly the company is advancing. The driving experience is nothing special, and it’s not very comfortable, but you’re getting a full hybrid drivetrain and plenty of standard kit at a very reasonable price.”
Author: Stuart Masson
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“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.”
Author: Alex Ingram
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Auto Trader+

Score: 5 / 10
“True to its value brand credentials, the MG3 Hybrid undercuts similar hybrid superminis like the Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris and Mazda 2 Hybrid, but you can feel where that money has been saved. Low cost of entry and a seven-year warranty count in its favour but you get what you pay for and we’d be happy spending a little more for the extra quality of the Renault, Toyota or Mazda.”
Author: Dan Trent
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Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Trophy
Score: 8 / 10
“The new MG3 Hybrid+ will make much more of a mark than its predecessor, thanks to its efficiency and practicality, but rivals are more fun to drive and better made.”
Author: Martyn Collins
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Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new MG3 is an exceptional step forward compared to its predecessor. A hybrid supermini available for less than the price of a basic petrol version of most rivals is a real selling point. It’s not the most resolved hybrid powertrain, nor does it offer the exceptional fuel economy you get from a Toyota Yaris. But it is a good supermini available for a great price, and that should always be applauded.”
Author: Ted Welford
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The MG 3 is something of a bargain, boasts an efficient hybrid powertrain and it’s good fun to boot.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Alex Ingram
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The MG3 offers more power and performance than its hybrid alternatives for less money, but it feels its price in places.”
Author: Tom Wiltshire
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Fleetworld+

Model reviewed: Trophy
“The MG’s low cost, more-than-decent fuel economy and generous kit in Trophy spec, and it’s a serious contender for any fleet driver looking at a supermini.”
Author: Alisdair Suttie
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The MG 3 has achieved a repeat of the MG 4 EV’s knock-out value for money. It’s a hugely competent supermini, packing a full hybrid drivetrain and almost 200hp, for similar sums of money for cars with little more than half the power. Comparable hybrids, such as the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris are significantly more expensive – food for thought for all of the opposition.”
Author: Keith Adams
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: Trophy
“The MG 3 Hybrid is a fun, comfy car that’s perfect for short journeys and city driving – but the best bit is the price.”
Author: Rob Gill
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: Trophy
Score: 8 / 10
“While the headline here is the cheapest full hybrid model in the UK, the MG 3 isn’t that much cheaper than its rivals unless you take the level of equipment into account. Although the MG is perfectly adequate as a hybrid model, I’d wager there are those who’d prefer a decent used Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz or even a Renault Clio.”
Author: Andrew English
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Top Gear+

Score: 7 / 10
“The new MG 3 deserves its place at the supermini table. Good to drive, frugal to run, and cheap as they come.”
Author: Peter Rawlins
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of January 2025, the MG 3 Hybrid+ has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the MG 3 Hybrid+ has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is lower for an hybrid car) and energy efficiency. Hybrid cars are more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the MG 3 Hybrid+ is likely to score highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG 3 Hybrid+ to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the new MG 3 we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	64 mpg	A	64 – 64 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	100 g/km	A	100 – 100 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	21	A	21 – 21	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£157	A
Year 2	£442	A
Year 3	£713	A
Year 4	£877	A
Year 5	£1,173	A
Overall	£3,362	A

The MG 3 Hybrid+ is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Only available as a petrol/electric hybrid, the MG 3’s average fuel consumption of 64mpg is excellent when compared to the rest of the market at large, and it’s insurance bracket is on the cheap side too.

The car’s predicted servicing and maintenance costs for the first five years of ownership are also excellent, though not as cheap as the larger all-electric MG 4.