MG3 Hybrid+ – style and economy

MG, once a name associated with classic sports cars like the brand’s all-time top seller the MGB roadster, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years.

The company’s timeline dating back to the 1920s may have resembled a full-on rollercoaster ride but MG is now riding the crest of a wave.

And with a line-up of stylish and value for money models, including electric award winners like the MG4 EV and new Cyberster performance convertible, the Chinese-owned auto-maker is going from strength to strength.

Its smallest – and also first pure hybrid  – model, the MG3 couldn’t be better placed to mop up extra sales following the demise of popular small car rivals like the Ford Fiesta.

With a starting price of £16,995, the MG3 is one of the best value hatchbacks on the market and able to compete with hardly any compromise, offering a raft of features to make it more desirable.

Go for the MG3 Hybrid+, like our tested model, and you get an eye-catching supermini that’s a joy to drive, spirited, clean and impressively frugal, from a price point of £18,995 for the entry level SE or £20,995 for top spec Trophy.

All MG3 variants come with the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, the hybrid adding a 100kW electric motor, its power sent to the front wheels via a three-speed auto gearbox.

The MG starts up in EV and will run in electric-only power for as long as there’s sufficient charge, at which point the petrol engine kicks in. There’s plenty of punch too, the 0-62mph acceleration time taking exactly eight seconds.

There are also three drive modes of Normal, Eco and Sport which slightly alter the throttle response and tweak the steering weight, and while there may be a tendency to engage Eco on economy grounds the best balance definitely comes from sticking in the default Normal setting.

As for fuel consumption the official Combined figure of 64.2 miles per gallon is not far off 100 per cent accurate, our own average coming in at just over the 60mpg mark.

Out on the road this is a fun car to drive with direct steering and positive feedback from the steering wheel, though the suspension is quite firm and you can certainly feel any speed bumps or potholes.

Move inside and you are immediately struck by the welcoming cabin. Yes, there are a few brittle plastics in there but the overall feel is way above what you might expect from a car at this price.

The seats are comfortable and there are seatbelts for three in rear, but realistically the centre spot is only suitable for a child. You can squeeze three people in, and though there’s a surprising degree of legroom the centre position is perched and legs have to splay either side of the transmission tunnel.

Meanwhile, oddments space comprises door bins and pockets, a glovebox, two cupholders ahead of the rotary gear selector but none in rear, a sliding tray between the front seats with a pair of pockets split by a divider beneath it plus a central stowage container. There are also flaps on the front seat backs.

No surprise that the boot is small at 293 litres with the seats in place or 983 litres with them folded down, but it’s far from the smallest in its area of the market – and it is also split level.

Technology sees all models having a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment display with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and built-in sat nav.

Entry grade SE trim also adds the likes of MG Pilot and rear parking sensors while opting for the range-topping Trophy adds heated front seats, LED projector headlights, a 360-degree camera, leather-style upholstery, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot detection with lane change assist and keyless entry.

And MG’s standard seven-year/80,000-mile warranty, along with our tested model’s Battersea Blue paint job, only adds to the attraction.