MY 3 2020-2022 Overview
Test Drive

MY 3 2020-2022 Overview

This story was updated in February 2022 to reflect market changes and price adjustments for the MG3. It was originally published in the first half of 2020.

my time in Cars Guide started in October 2017 and since then I have booked literally thousands of cars across Australia. One car that eluded me - and Cars Guide team - for this period you see here: MG3. Or MG MG3, or MG 3 if you like.

Despite asking for a loan of the MG3 hatchback countless times during this period, MG Australia refused to let us test the car. The company now has its own PR team with a pretty decent fleet of press cars, but still no MG3.

Over the years, our desire to review the MG3 sunroof - and help you decide if it's right for you or not - has only grown stronger as sales have soared. Back at the end of 2017, the brand was only selling a few cars a month on average – indeed, only 52 MG3s were sold in just 2017.

Since then, the MG3 has skyrocketed to become the best selling passenger car in Australia. In 2021, the brand sold over 13,000 3 MG250s, an average of 2017 vehicles sold per week. Because of this, the measly numbers for year 2 look a little meager. Becoming the number one seller in this segment, it outperformed big-name competitors such as the Kia Rio, Mazda XNUMX and the now-defunct Honda Jazz, as well as outperforming the cheaper Kia Picanto that many people will buy. this car is against if price is a key factor in their decision.

And this is true - a lot of its success comes down to the price of a Chinese city car with a British brand. It's cheap, but is it fun? We got a chance to find out in 2020 thanks to a friendly MG dealership in New South Wales - and this review has been updated with the latest prices because nothing else has changed.

MG MG3 Auto 2021: Core (with navigation)
Safety Rating
engine's type1.5L
fuel typePremium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency6.7l / 100km
Landing5 Places
Price from$11,500

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10


The success of the MG3 in Australia is largely due to its price. 

And no wonder - the prices of cars of this size are steadily rising, and as a result, many brands have found their lightweight cars in the "too tight" basket.

But the MG3 is still relatively cheap. Prices have jumped up since we've driven this particular car, but they're still under $20K for all models in this line.

By comparison, the 2020 model started at just $16,490 for the Core model and peaked at $18,490 for the top-of-the-line Excite model, and those prices were listed on the MG website at the time.

But now the MG3 has gotten a bit more expensive – the current price for that range has gone up, with the base Core model now priced at $18,490, while the Core model with Nav is $18,990 and the top Excite trim is $19,990. Macca meal less than twenty pieces for $XNUMX per trip.

The MG3 has LED daytime running lights.

Wondering what features you get when it comes to models in this line? It's pretty simple, so let's take a look at what each model gets.

The Core gets 15-inch alloy wheels, plaid cloth seat trim, auto-on/off halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, manual air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons. There is also a compact spare tire.

The media system includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen with USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto), Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, and AM/FM radio. There is no CD player, and the Core model has four speakers. If you like satellite navigation, you can upgrade to the Core Nav model, which adds $500 to your bill.

Moving on to the Excite, you get a few extras, like 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels and body kit, body-color mirrors, vanity mirrors in the sun visors, and synthetic leather seat trim with contrast stitching. 

The 8.0-inch touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay but does not support Android Auto.

Excite also includes GPS satellite navigation as standard and amplifies the sound system up to six speakers with "Full Vehicle Yamaha 3D Sound Field".

Interested in security specifications? Read the security section below to find out what's included and what's not.

Our friendly MG dealer told me that he can't get enough of Tudor Yellow models, and that color, as well as Dover White and Pebble Black, are free complementary shades. You have to keep in mind that Regal Blue metallic, Scottish Silver metallic, and Bristol Red metallic (as shown here) will cost you an additional $500. Looking for orange, green or gold paint? Sorry, I can not.

The current MG3 looks much more modern and attractive than the first version sold here.

As for accessories, apart from floor mats, there is not much to talk about. Oh, and wanting to have a sunroof? No chance... unless you know how to handle Sawzall. Note: do not cut a hole in the roof of your car. 

Even though prices have gone up since we first posted this review, the MG3 still scores high on price and features because the market has grown too and it's still cheaper than just about everything by comparison. its competitors, with the exception of the Picanto. .

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10


It's a fresh thing, MG3. 

With an eye-catching front end featuring London Eye LED daytime running lights, an angular European-style front bumper and chrome grille, and angular window lines, it really has a distinct personality.

It looks much more modern and attractive than the first version of the MG3 sold here, and I have no doubt that many MG3 buyers were first drawn to its distinct style. MG has done a great job of creating a family image - it just so happens that the family looks like they take good care of themselves, live an active lifestyle and behave neatly.

The Excite model is interesting to look at.

The rear is not as attractive, with vertical taillights making it appear taller than it really is. However, it's still a well-sculpted back end.

On the Core model, you get some blacked-out lower trims and 15-inch alloy wheels. 

The Excite model shown here is slightly larger, dare we say it's interesting to look at. This is due to its body kit consisting of lower chrome pieces on the front bumper, a set of black side skirts and a sunroof-mounted rear spoiler. You also get 16-inch alloy wheels. 

It is closer in size to the Kia Rio than to the Picanto. At 4055mm long (with a long wheelbase of 2520mm for its size), 1729mm wide and 1504mm high, this is a fairly stocky little car. 

However, its interior is quite traditional - there is no sliding second row (like the Suzuki Ignis) or folding seats (к Honda Jazz). Check out the interior photos below to see for yourself.

There are some really nice touches in the cabin.

How practical is the interior space? 7/10


If you've owned the same old car for years and are getting behind the wheel of an MG3 for the first time, you'll probably be amazed that you can get an interior with interesting finishes, a high-tech screen, and decent materials for a low price. this price range.

Earlier versions of the MG3 were nowhere near as good on the inside as the current model, which has been on sale since 2018. It's not perfect, but there are many things to like.

The seats offer plenty of adjustment, including a huge amount of height adjustment for shorter riders. The seat is comfortable, although it can be difficult for some drivers to get into the correct position: there is no reach adjustment of the steering wheel (only tilt adjustment), and you cannot adjust the height of the seat belt. 

The driver's seat is comfortable, although some drivers may find it difficult to get into the correct position.

I really like the seat trim, which is a wide Scottish design (with "synthetic leather" bolsters and contrast stitching on the top-of-the-line Excite) mirroring the engraved checkered aluminum trim on the dashboard - it looks very elegant, even if my Radar OCD was baffled by the fact that the trim was not perfectly aligned between the cushion sections. Take a look at the photos of the interior to see what I mean.

There are some really nice touches in the cabin. Things like the "lock" and "unlock" button on the driver's door, which looks like it was stolen straight from an Audi parts catalog. The same can be said about the font of the speedometer. 

The lock and unlock button looks like it was stolen straight from an Audi parts catalog.

There's no doubt that it's built for the price, but it doesn't feel as cheap as one might expect. We've criticized Audi, VW and Skoda for cutting costs with hard plastic door and dash trims, and MG has plenty of hard plastic too - but that's to be expected at this price, not doubled.

There's a standard infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, plus USB connectivity and smartphone mirroring - meaning you get Apple CarPlay, which essentially eliminates a need for satellite navigation if you're using an iPhone. You can choose a GPS navigation system for the Core model, but satellite navigation is standard on the Excite. However, Android Auto mirroring is not available at all.

Previous models from stable SAIC, including the LDV T60 and MG ZS, I had problems with the media screen, but the version in MG3 Excite that I drove worked quickly and without problems, even after disconnecting and reconnecting the phone multiple times. 

There are other small things that could be improved, such as the fact that the trip odometer is difficult to navigate and there is no digital speedometer. In addition, the Excite's digital climate control is displayed on the media screen, albeit as a graph rather than a temperature number. The base Core model has a simpler manual air conditioning system. 

There is no doubt that the MG3 is built for the price.

The steering wheel has a partial leather trim with perforated edges to give it a slightly sporty feel, as well as a flat bottom that will appeal to a sports-minded buyer. There are stereo and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel, but the switches at the back are located “back to front”, with the left lever responsible for the indicators and headlights, and the right one for the wipers. 

In terms of storage, there's one cup holder up front between the seats, several small storage sections including a wallet trench, and another storage section in front of the gear selector that houses the MG3's only USB port. .

There are bottle holders in the front doors and padded elbow pads on the front doors - more than we can say about some of those aforementioned European brands.

With the driver's seat set in my position (I'm 182 cm), I had enough space in the back seat to be comfortable. There was plenty of room for my knees and toes, and plenty of headroom if I sat perfectly still - although the slightest tilt of my head towards the outside of the car would result in my head touching the headlining. The rear seats are all right - the back is hard, but the view from the windows is good. There are two ISOFIX child seat anchor points and three child seat top tethers. 

With comfort in the back seat, everything is in order.

Rear storage space is minimal. There are two map pockets, but no door pockets, and no fold-down center armrest with cup holders. But there is one large pocket in front of the middle seat rear passenger that will fit a bottle. The rear seat also lacks padded elbow pads on the doors. 

The luggage compartment is good for a car of this size. You will really do better if you buy a Honda Jazz or Suzuki Baleno as the MG3 offers a deep and boxy cargo area with 307 liters of cargo volume up to the trunk lid. 

Need more luggage space? The rear seats fold down 60:40 for 1081 liters of space, although capacity is limited because the seats don't fold down completely. Or you can put a roof rack. 

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 6/10


Do you want to know the engine specifications for MG3? Well, with the technical characteristics, everything is quite simple.

Only one engine is available: a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine dubbed the NSE Major by MG. 

It has a power of 82 kW (at 6000 rpm) and 150 Nm (at 4500 rpm). It is only available with a four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The manual transmission is no longer available - it was available in earlier MG3s, but no more. 

While some competitors offer more powerful flagship variants that act as a range hero, there is no such option in the MG3 range. Anyway, not yet. For now, there is only one engine size, no turbo, and no diesel or electric models.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivers 82 kW/150 Nm.

The curb weight of the MG3 hatchback is 1170kg, slightly heavier than the Mazda 2 but on par with the Kia Rio. 

Are you planning to go on holiday with your new MG3? Maybe think twice - the maximum load capacity is only 200kg. 

If you're worried about engine, clutch issues, or have questions about your battery, gearbox, or oil requirements, be sure to stay tuned to our MG issues page. And if you're wondering, does it have a timing chain or timing belt? This is a chain.




How much fuel does it consume? 7/10


Claimed fuel consumption in the combined cycle, which the brand claims should be used by the car in various driving situations, is the same for the entire MG3 range: 6.7 liters per 100 kilometers.

During my stay with the car, which consisted of exactly 100km of mixed driving, I saw fuel economy of 7.7L/100km, which is decent.

The MG3's fuel tank capacity is 45 liters, which means a theoretical mileage on one tank of about 580 km. It also runs on regular unleaded petrol (91 RON).

Just be aware that the fuel filler is slightly less inclined than some other cars, so you may find that it can slosh back when it "clicks" the first time.

What is it like to drive? 7/10


You can think of MG as a sports car brand - after all, that's what they've built into history, and the company hopes that's the memories you'll get when you see the famous octagonal badge.

And of the current set of models that MG sells in Australia, the MG3 is unquestionably the sportiest. 

It comes down to driving style, steering and ride, not the engine and transmission.

The powertrain lacks the power and torque to feel light and snappy when accelerating. The automatic transmission doesn't make the most of the engine and can be hesitant when going up a hill or when you're asking for more from the car. Oh, don't even think about the performance claim from 0 to 100 - there is no such number.

When driving around the city at low speeds, everything is fine. Between traffic lights and hitting roundabouts, there isn't much to complain about. It has no delays or jerks after stopping, and is smooth and fast enough to come out of rest.

Once you start demanding more from the engine and transmission, you will notice that things could be better. At the very least, there's a manual shift mode that puts you in control of the shifts, as well as a sport mode that will cling to the gears and dampen the transmission's hesitation to some degree.

On an open track it behaves normally, at the speed limit it sits down without much fuss - although when it encounters a hill, the speed drops a little. And the cruise control seems to have something of its own, with the set speed displayed at 100 km/h, I noticed that the speed fluctuates between 90 km/h and 110 km/h, depending on the terrain.

It's the grip, handling and steering that help it live up to the badge, with steering that has a nice hefty weight and good straightness at pace or around town. It even offers a bit of steering feel, which is welcome. That grip was unexpected given the tires mounted on 16-inch Excite alloy wheels (Giti GitiComfort 228 tires in 195/55/16).

The MG3 Excite wears 16-inch alloy wheels.

The ride is set up with more solid character than you might expect. It doesn't cause discomfort, nor is it fidgety or awkward due to potholes or sharp edges. And that setup for the MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension means it feels very grippy in corners. In my riding loop, which included wide turns and tighter corners, the MG3 stuck to the road commendably, with no noticeable shyness to speak of. 

Indeed, I kept thinking that the suspension setup reminds me of a VW, Skoda, or Audi city car - confident, confident, and ultimately a little fun.

Braking performance was good too - it pulled properly and straight under hard braking, and also provided decent response at city speeds.

One of the minor remarks was a noticeable wind noise around the windshield pillar/mirror, which was noticeable at speeds from 70 km/h.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

7 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 6/10


Security technology is the MG3's biggest drawback. There's no ANCAP crash test safety rating to speak of and the MG3 doesn't come with any form of automatic emergency braking (AEB), which is disappointing considering the technology has been available on affordable city cars since 2013 (VW up ! early standard). 

Even the refreshed Mitsubishi Mirage has AEB with pedestrian detection, while the MG3 doesn't. It also doesn't feature Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, or Rear AEB.

So what do you get? This range comes standard with a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, and six airbags (dual front, front side, full-length curtain). And that might be enough for you, but we know you can get more safety tech in competing cars, so they may not fit that criteria well.

Where is MG3 made? It's made in China. 

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10


During my time at MG3, I kept thinking about one particular thing - the warranty. It's such a great move for a company to keep their vehicles running with a seven year/unlimited kilometer warranty plan. 

If your brain worked like mine, you could calculate and see buying an MG3 in a completely different way: how about thinking of it as an investment of $2500 a year, and at the end you get a free car…! However, the same can be said about the Kia Picanto and Rio.

This warranty should give you peace of mind when it comes to reliability, issues, common faults and issues, as any necessary fixes should be covered by the brand within this period. Buyers also receive seven years of roadside assistance.

Maintenance is required every 12 months/10,000-15,000 km, whichever comes first. It's a bit more regular than some of the competition (most have 70,000 km intervals), but the brand backs up its vehicles with a seven-year flat-price maintenance plan. The cost of maintenance averages over the first seven years/382XNUMX km of ownership is $XNUMX per visit (before GST), which is not cheap, but not expensive either.

Here's a summary of the recommended maintenance cost (all pre-GST prices): 12 months/10,000 km: $231.76; 24 months/20,000 385.23 km: $36; 30,000 months/379.72 48 km - $40,000; 680.74 months/60 50,000 km - $231.76; 72 months/60,000 533.19 km - $84; 70,000 months/231.76 km – $XNUMX; XNUMX months / XNUMX km - XNUMX USD.

Always update the service log stamps in the owner's manual - it's a ticket to a higher resale value. 

Verdict

Aside from the safety flaws and weak powertrain, it's easy to see why the MG3 has become a successful part of the brand's lineup. If you're driving through the countryside like me, this makes a lot of sense.

Whether you choose the Excite model, which has a slightly more visual impact, or the Core model, which we have selected from the range, the MG3 is well priced, has what media tech buyers want, it's a charming looking piece that comes in set. a large selection of colors, as well as stylish packaging. 

Thanks to the Orange MG team for helping with this loan vehicle for this review. Head to Orange MG for more information.

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