2024 MG3 hatchback interior revealed in sketches - can the cheap Kia Picanto, Suzuki Swift rival keep its sales crown with new-generation model?

MG has released sketch images of the interior of the new MG3 hatch that is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in late February.

The sketches depict a much more advanced interior than the current model that has been on sale in Australia since 2016, with a major facelift in 2018.

It looks like it has two digital screens - one for instrumentation and the other larger screen for multimedia. The new MG3 adopts a flat-bottom steering wheel as well and a tidy looking centre console with cupholders as well as storage nooks and bins.

The next-gen MG3 will be offered in Europe for the first time, and it will be sold with a hybrid powertrain.

As a result, expect the next MG3 to take a significant step up over the outgoing model.

Another key area of improvement will be safety. The current MG3 is unrated by ANCAP but when it was originally tested it only scored three stars out of a possible five stars. It does not have auto emergency braking.

The next-gen MG3 will be offered in Europe for the first time, and it will be sold with a hybrid powertrain.

The new one will get a big uptick in active safety tech, as well as in-car tech and comfort features.

The exterior design has already leaked and adopts a familiar, but more modern look for the popular hatchback.

The MG3 is the best-selling light car in Australia by a significant margin, with 15,430 finding homes in 2023. The next best-selling model in that category was the Suzuki Swift on 6914 sales, followed by the Mazda2 (5181) then the recently discontinued Kia Rio (4067). Although, the smaller Kia Picanto outsells all but the MG, with 7706 sales in 2023.

One of the key reasons for its sales success is its low price of entry - the base Core auto starts at $19,990 drive-away and tops out at $20,990 for the Excite.

The MG3's exterior recently leaked and adopts a sleeker look (Image: cochespias.net).

The only other new car that undercuts it on price is the Kia Picanto S, but that is a manual and that pricing is before on-road costs.

The new MG3 will join the Chinese-owned manufacturer’s growing line-up that also includes the MG5 sedan, the MG4 EV, as well as the ZS and HS SUVs.

More details will be revealed at the Geneva show at the end of the month so keep an eye on CarsGuide.com.au.