The first-generation MG 3 was a polarising car – it was dirt cheap and sold like hotcakes, but many bemoaned its lack of polish.
MG 3 Hybrid+ 
Yaris
It’s apparent the Chinese carmaker listened to that feedback, because the new MG 3 is a far better car with an inflated price tag to much.
In fact, the asking price has shifted so far north that the new MG 3 only just sneaks in under $30,000 before on-roads, putting it squarely in Toyota Yaris territory.
The Yaris is a familiar face in the cheap car crowd, with a history dating back to the turn of the millenium.
In its current form the Yaris is a slightly dearer, older alternative to the MG 3 armed with classic small-car characteristics and a trusted badge.
MG 3 
Yaris
But if you strip the Toyota branding away, does the Yaris still hold up when compared to its recently overhauled rival?
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
Pricing
Both model ranges comprise several variants, with the Yaris Hybrid priced higher across the board.
MG 3 
Yaris
The base Yaris Ascent Sport Hybrid ($28,500 before on-roads) slots in between the entry-level MG 3 Excite Hybrid ($27,990 before on-roads) and the flagship MG 3 Essence Hybrid ($29,990 before on-roads).
The mid-spec Yaris SX Hybrid is another step up at $31,960 plus on-road costs, while the ZR Hybrid commands a further $2570 premium.
| Model | Price range before on-roads |
|---|---|
| MG 3 Hybrid | $27,990-$29,990 |
| Toyota Yaris Hybrid | $28,600-$34,530 |
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
Drivetrains and Efficiency
These two hybrid hatches offer very distinct powertrains, with each suiting a different buyer.
MG 3 
Yaris
On one hand, the new MG 3 Hybrid+ has one extra cylinder, an additional 70kW of power and a superior 0-100km/h sprint of 8.0 seconds. In other words, it’s got more grunt and it’s quicker.
On the other hand, the Yaris Hybrid is lighter, more fuel-efficient and will happily run on cheaper 91 RON. It’s the frugal choice.
| Specifications | MG 3 Hybrid+ | Toyota Yaris Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl hybrid | 1.5L 3cyl hybrid |
| System power | 155kW | 85kW |
| System torque | 250Nm | N/A |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic | CVT |
| Driven wheels | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1298kg-1308kg | 1130kg |
| Fuel economy (claim) | 4.3L/100km | 3.3L/100km |
| CO2 emissions | 100g/km | 76g/km |
| Fuel tank size | 36L | 36L |
| Fuel requirement | 95 RON | 91 RON |
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
Dimensions
The new MG 3 Hybrid+ is larger than the Yaris Hybrid across every dimension, but it’s by no means a big car.
MG 3 
Yaris
Upsized exterior dimensions are reflected by the boot space battle, which MG also wins – the MG 3 has 293L of cargo capacity, compared to 270L in the Yaris.
| Dimensions | MG 3 Hybrid+ | Toyota Yaris Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4113mm | 3950mm |
| Width | 1797mm | 1695mm |
| Height | 1502mm | 1495mm |
| Wheelbase | 2570mm | 2550mm |
| Boot capacity | 293L | 270L |
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
Servicing and Warranty
MG Australia offers the longest warranty in Australia – 10 years and 250,000km of coverage across its model range, including the new MG 3.
MG 3 
Yaris
The high-voltage battery system is covered for the same period, and all versions get a seven-year roadside assistance plan included.
The brand has a capped-price servicing plan on offer for seven years, too. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km for hybrid variants.
Toyota, on the other hand, backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
The warranty can be extended to seven years on the powertrain and up to 10 years for the hybrid battery if you service within the dealer network. Roadside assistance is a paid option that costs $99 per year.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
| Service Interval | Yaris Hybrid | MG 3 Hybrid+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $245 | $234 |
| 2 years | $245 | $348 |
| 3 years | $245 | $340 |
| 4 years | $245 | $627 |
| 5 years | $245 | $491 |
| Total | $1225 | $2040 |
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
Safety
The previous-generation MG 3 offered the bare minimum from a safety perspective, but the new model brings a lot more to the table.
MG 3 
Yaris
Although the MG 3 Hybrid has not yet been been assessed by ANCAP, it comes with a comprehensive set of safety features including six airbags, adaptive cruise control with a lane centring function, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a reversing camera.
The Yaris, on the other hand, is a more proven product on this front – it comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on Euro NCAP tests conducted in 2020.
Having said that, only the top-spec ZR comes standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which are both equipped to even the base MG 3.
Both cars are similarly equipped otherwise, although the Yaris Hybrid has two extra airbags.
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
Standard Equipment
Specification differences between the MG 3 Hybrid and Yaris Hybrid are entirely variant dependant.
MG 3 
The base MG 3 Hybrid comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, wired smartphone mirroring, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster system, and halogen headlights.
Toyota’s base offering – the Ascent Sport – gets 15-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, a 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, and halogen headlights.
At the top end of the range, the MG 3 Essence gains LED headlights, a sunroof, fake leather trim, a leather steering wheel, satellite navigation, and a surround-view camera.
The upper-spec Yaris Hybrid variants gains 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, satellite navigation, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, soft-touch trim, leather-accented steering wheel, and a head-up display.
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
CarExpert’s Pick
James Wong: The two cars here are the cheapest full hybrids you can buy in Australia, and both offer plenty of metal for the money.
The Yaris is the efficiency king and goes big on safety, backed by Toyota’s reputation for dependability and offering cheap yearly servicing.
Meanwhile, the MG arguably looks and feels newer, and is more premium in many ways. MG’s longer warranty also gives peace of mind. The extra grunt comes at the cost of fuel-efficiency though.
If you want the most efficient running costs in your urban runabout, I’d go with the Yaris.
If you want the most bang for your buck, however, you can have the top-spec MG 3 Hybrid+ Essence for about the same money as a base Yaris Hybrid.
Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.
MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris
