MG3

What a massive improvement to the interior. The changes made here have taken the new-gen MG 3 into a new realm.

The steering wheel, similar to that used in the MG 4, feels too big for the size of the car, making it feel like more of a handful in parking moves. And the controls on the steering wheel – finished in fingerprint-attracting piano black – are tricky.

The steering wheel icon, for instance, is the cruise control button, and you need to hit the little ‘pages’ icon on the right side to dive into the driver info screen using the arrow trigger, otherwise you’ll be skipping songs or turning up/down the volume.

The seats themselves? They offer good comfort, decent adjustability for people of different shapes and sizes, and there’s also tilt adjustment for the steering.

And the finish – a mix of fake leather and cloth – is pretty nice, as is the vinyl trimming on the dashboard. I like there’s a hark-back moment with the cross-hatch finish resembling the old car, too.

The high-grade Essence model also comes with a sunroof – one of those little tiny ones, not a full-glass roof.

There’s no auto-dimming rearview mirror, but there is a USB-A port up in the mirror housing for a dash cam. That’s in addition to USB-A and USB-C ports below the screen for charging and connectivity.

Back seat space is exceptional for a car of this size. At 182cm/six-foot I was able to slide in behind my own driving position with knee and toe room to space, and headroom is also good – just be mindful if you’re taller, the door openings might be your biggest encumbrance.

You could possibly fit three small adults across, but three child seats might be too ambitious. However, I managed to fit my daughter’s child seat in with enough room for her to swing her legs, and for someone to sit in front and not feel squished.

There are ISOFIX points in the window seats and top-tethers for all three rear seats, too, and – in a boon for backseat riders – there are directional air-vents, and a single USB-A port for charging devices.

With a complete change in design direction compared to the previous model, the new 2024 MG 3 presents a far more modern and sophisticated design.

MG carried over some of the same design elements found in the MG 5, but the 3 has its own unique identity that gives it a very European feel.

MG 3 Petrol

• Engine 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder
• Engine power 81kW at 6000rpm
• Engine torque 142Nm at 4500rpm
• Transmission CVT
• Drive type Front-wheel

MG 3 Hybrid

• Engine 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder hybrid
• Engine power 75kW at 6000rpm
• Engine torque 128Nm at 4500rpm
• Total system power– 155kW at 6000rpm
• Transmission hybrid transmission
• Drive type Front-wheel

The hybrid version drives more like a Toyota Corolla Hybrid than Yaris Hybrid, despite playing at the same price point as the latter. This car is more refined than a Yaris, which has a far raspier drive experience, courtesy of its three-cylinder engine.

This car is smooth in its behaviour and has a level of refinement that’s surprising in the context of the previous model and very much in line with what we’ve seen from the larger MG 4.

It’s zippy, eager in its responses, and actually hustles along if you’re in a hurry. And it does all of that without much fuss.

The new MG 3's digital offering looks great, with the twin digital screens – a 10.25-inch unit for multimedia, and a 7.0-inch screen for the driver info display – upping the wow factor compared with the last version.

The infotainment screen is similar to that used in the bigger MG 4, and like that car it has an array of buttons below the display for some quick controls.

There are volume up/down controls, a home key, A/C on/off, front and rear demister buttons, and a fan-speed button – but no temperature toggle or fan toggle, as you still need to make those incremental adjustments through the screen (or using shortcuts on the steering wheel).

The display has an array of menus that will take some learning, including the MG Pilot advanced safety tech that you might wish to disable each time you drive, if you’re like me.

There is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, but you need to connect via cable – no wireless here, sadly, and there’s also no wireless phone charger which is another disappointing omission.

At least there is an in-built sat nav for all those older buyers who don’t use smartphone tech. But for younger buyers, no wireless mirroring and charging could be an ick.

Boot space is improved over the previous model, with MG claiming a cargo capacity of 293 litres with the seats up.

It’s certainly a decent size given the compact dimensions of the car, and it has a light and shopping bag hook to keep things in check.

But take note that there is no spare wheel offered in the hybrid model, due to the placement of the hybrid battery pack – under the floor is just a tyre repair kit. If you buy the petrol MG 3, you get a space-saver spare.