The MG 3 remains Australia’s favourite light car after being renewed in mid-2024, and it now enters 2025 unchanged, bar the addition of an even cheaper entry variant in the form of the Vibe.

    Despite the introductory price of $21,990 drive-away, the MG 3 Vibe hasn’t been able to reclaim the title of Australia’s cheapest new car from the smaller Kia Picanto, which starts at $21,340 drive-away.

    Excluding current discounts, the MG 3 Vibe is $2000 cheaper than the previous entry-level Excite at $23,990 before on-roads.

    The two-grade Hybrid+ range typically kicks off at $27,990 before on-roads, but is currently available for as little as $27,888 drive-away. Only the top-spec Hybrid+ Essence exceeds the $30,000 mark.

    The MG 3 retains a comprehensive suite of standard safety gear, which includes lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert – though the latter two have been removed from the Vibe.

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    The MG 3 is by far the best-selling vehicle in its segment, holding a 48.4 per cent share in 2024 despite the price increase from the old generation to the new.

    With 3081 sales to the end of March 2025, the MG 3 is up 6.6 per cent on the 2889 figure during the same period last year, and the addition of a cheaper version should contribute to a further increase in sales.

    Its closest rivals are now just the Picanto and Suzuki Swift Hybrid, as the cheapest range-opening variants of the Mazda 2 sedan and hatch were axed earlier this year, increasing the model’s starting price by more than $4000.

    The MG 3 Vibe is now considerably cheaper than the base Swift Hybrid manual ($24,490 before on-roads) and, as mentioned, slightly more expensive than the Picanto Sport manual.

    At the top of the range, the MG 3 Hybrid+ Excite remains the cheapest electrified vehicle in Australia at $27,990 before on-roads, undercutting the Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport Hybrid at $28,500 before on-roads.

    Pricing

    Prices are unchanged from 2024, except that the addition of the range-opening Vibe variant brings the new MG 3 range below $22,000 for the first time. Drive-away offers are currently in place across the range, so we’ve listed prices before on-roads below for clarity.

    ModelDrive-away price (until May 31, 2025)Price before on-road costs
    2025 MG 3 Vibe$21,990
    2025 MG 3 Excite$22,888$23,990
    2025 MG 3 Essence$24,990$25,990
    2025 MG 3 Hybrid+ Excite$27,888$27,990
    2025 MG 3 Hybrid+ Essence$30,990$29,990

    Drivetrains and Efficiency

    SpecificationsMG 3 petrolMG 3 Hybrid+
    Engine1.5L naturally aspirated 4cyl petrol1.5L petrol-electric 4cyl
    Battery capacity1.83kWh
    Engine power81kW @ 6000rpm75kW @ 6000rpm
    Engine torque142Nm @ 4500rpm128Nm @ 4500rpm
    Combined peak system power155kW @ 6000rpm
    Combined peak system torque425Nm
    TransmissionCVTHybrid Transmission
    Drive typeFront-wheel driveFront-wheel drive
    Tare mass1186kg (Vibe)
    1185kg (Excite, Essence)
    1280kg (Excite)
    1300kg (Essence)
    Fuel economy (claimed)6.0L/100km4.3L/100km
    CO2 emissions (claimed)139g/km100g/km
    Fuel tank capacity45L36L
    Fuel requirement91 octane regular unleaded95 octane premium unleaded
    Emissions standardEuro 5Euro 5
    Braked towing capacity500kg500kg

    Dimensions

    DimensionsMG 3
    Length4113mm
    Width1797mm
    Height1502mm
    Wheelbase2570mm
    Cargo capacity293L (rear seats up)
    983L (rear seats folded)

    Servicing and Warranty

    MG Motor Australia offers a market-leading 10-year, 250,000km warranty for its model range, and MG 3 service intervals are 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

    Servicing and WarrantyMG 3
    Warranty10 years, 250,000km
    Battery warranty10 years, 250,000km
    Roadside assistance7 years
    Service intervals12 months or 10,000km
    Capped-price servicing7 years or 70,000km
    Average annual capped-price service cost$436,43 (petrol)
    $466.43 (Hybrid+)
    Total capped-price service cost$3055 (petrol)
    $3265 (Hybrid+)

    MG’s service pricing guide differs between petrol and Hybrid+ MG 3 models, with individual prices detailed below:

    ServiceMG 3 petrolMG 3 Hybrid+
    1yr or 10,000km$287$287
    2yrs or 20,000km$399$428
    3yrs or 30,000km$422$414
    4yrs or 40,000km$649$749
    5yrs or 50,000km$477$545
    6yrs or 60,000km$527$548
    7yrs or 70,000km$294$294

    Safety

    The MG 3 wears a three-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2024.

    CategoryMG 3
    Adult occupant protection72 per cent
    Child occupant protection74 per cent
    Vulnerable road user protection76 per cent
    Safety assist58 per cent

    Standard safety equipment includes:

    • 6 airbags
      • Dual front
      • Dual front-side
      • Dual side curtain
    • Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
    • Lane departure warning
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Emergency lane-keep assist
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Intelligent cruise assist
      • Traffic jam assist
      • Steering, acceleration, braking assistance
    • Intelligent speed assist 
    • Reversing camera
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Tyre pressure monitoring

    MG 3 Excite adds:

    • Blind spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic assist

    The MG 3 Essence and Hybrid+ Essence are the only two grades to receive a surround-view camera.

    Standard Equipment

    There are now three distinct MG 3 trim levels, but only the top two are available with the Hybrid+ powertrain.

    2025 MG 3 Vibe equipment highlights:

    • 15-inch steel wheels
    • Tyre repair kit
    • Halogen headlights
    • LED daytime running lights
    • Automatic headlights
    • Rear fog light
    • Electronic parking brake
    • Auto-hold
    • Traditional gear selector
    • 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
    • 6-speaker sound system
    • 6-way manual driver’s seat adjustment
    • 4-way manual passenger seat adjustment
    • Polyurethane steering wheel
    • Cloth upholstery
    • Single-zone climate control

    MG 3 Excite adds:

    • 16-inch alloy wheels
    • Space-saver spare wheel
    • Power-folding, heated side mirrors
    • Push-button start
    • Rear air vent

    MG 3 Hybrid+ Excite adds:

    • Tyre repair kit (in lieu of spare tyre)
    • Dial-type gear selector
    • 3 drive modes
    • Pedestrian warning sound – external speaker
    • Auto climate control

    MG 3 Essence adds (over Excite):

    • Projector LED headlights
    • Rain-sensing wipers
    • Sunroof
    • Leatherette and cloth trim
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Sunglass compartment
    • Rear map pockets
    • Satellite navigation
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • Connected mobile services (iSmart compatibility)
    • Keyless entry

    Options

    Only the range-topping MG 3 Hybrid+ Essence is available with a white interior, a $500 option over the standard black interior.

    Colours

    Seven exterior paint colours are available for the MG 3, and four command a $500 premium.

    No-cost colours:

    • Dover White
    • Pastel Yellow
    • Brighton Blue Metallic

    Premium colours ($500 each):

    • Sloane Silver Metallic
    • Hampstead Grey Metallic
    • Black Pearl Metallic
    • Diamond Red Metallic

    MORE: Everything MG 3

    Max Davies

    Max Davies is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Max studied journalism at La Trobe University and stepped into the automotive world after graduating in late 2023. He grew up in regional Victoria, and with a passion for everything motorsport is a fan of Fernando Alonso.

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