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By Jonathan Crouch

The MG3 Hybrid+ makes petrol/electric power significantly more affordable. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The MG3 supermini takes a big step forward in this second generation form. There's now a self charging full-Hybrid powertrain, plus a higher quality cabin, more sophistication and extra interior space. In short, this is a much more credible kind of MG3. But it's still affordable.

Backgroundword count: 156

The original MG3 wasn't the first of this modern era Chinese brand's offerings in Europe but it was the first to sell in any numbers. This little budget supermini was launched back in 2013 and was originally partly British engineered and put together in the old MG Rover factory at Longbridge from kits built in China by parent company SAIC. By the time of the car's extensive update in 2018 though, full Chinese production was in full swing and since that time, MG has become a significant volume player in our market, with much of its growth in EVs. There's no EV version of this second generation MG3, announced in Spring 2024, but this fresh design does offer the brand's first non-plug-in Hybrid and it's that Hybrid+ version we're looking at here. The Chinese makers importers hope to hoover up a lot of customers who would previously have chosen the now-discontinued Fiesta in the supermini segment.

Driving Experienceword count: 316

The original MG3 had one of the oldest and most inefficient engines it was possible to buy in the 21st century's third decade. So it's something of a pleasant shock to find this new generation range headlined by a powertrain that's really quite sophisticated. It's a self charging non-plug-in Hybrid (MG's very first). Yes, like you can get in this segment (for significantly more money) with a Toyota Yaris or a Honda jazz. But this front-driven powerplant gives you a lot more power than you'd get with those established rivals (presumably because MG also wants to use it in other heavier models). It combines a 101bhp 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 107bhp electric motor to give a combined 192bhp total output. Hence the quite eager 0-62mph time of 8.0s (1.2s quicker than a Yaris). Full-Hybrids always come only with automatic transmission, but this one is unusual because it only has three speeds (one less than the clunky auto of the old car). MG says this gives more responsive acceleration. As usual with self-charging full-Hybrids, the battery pack (1.83kWh in this case) isn't large enough to take the car very far on electric power alone. But EV assistance cuts in and out frequently during town travel to aid efficiency. The car can also be driven in Series mode with the engine acting as a generator. Or as a Parallel Hybrid where the two power sources work together to generate the full 192bhp output. One of the redeeming characteristics of the first generation model was its sharp handling, developed by a British R&D team. They also contributed to the dynamics of this MK2 version, though this time round, chassis tuning was more of a collaboration between China and Europe. MG says it benefits from the use of new ultra-high stiffness components and lighter suspension. Optimised engine mounts and extra sound absorbing materials have also improved refinement.

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