2020 MG3 review

That it’s lacking any of the advanced safety tech features you’d expect in 2020. Some of its cut-price rivals - like the Kia Picanto, Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage - offer considerably better safety technology suites at similar (or less!) money.

Paint colour choices consist of three no-cost options - Tudor Yellow, Dover White and Pebble Black. Then there are three metallic options that add $500 to the asking price, and those are Regal Blue metallic, Scottish Silver metallic and Bristol Red metallic.

The Excite model is exciting to look at.

Wishing for an orange, brown, grey, gold or green MG3? Sorry, no can do.

Since the MG3 was updated in 2018 with a new look it has only been sold with a four-speed automatic transmission. You can’t get it with a manual gearbox anymore.

Prior to the 2018 facelift you could only get it with a five-speed manual transmission. And while a four-speed auto is hardly revolutionary, it fits the purpose of the car pretty well.

If you’re buying an MG3 there’s a good chance you’re not big on things like motor specifications or engine size.

Both the Core and Excite models come with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder non-turbo petrol engine, dubbed NSE Major by MG. 

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine produces 82kW/150Nm.

It has class competitive outputs of 82kW (at 6000rpm) and 150Nm (at 4500rpm). As mentioned above, it only comes with a four-speed automatic transmission, and it’s front-wheel drive. 

Some rivals offer turbocharged models in their ranges for close to this money - so if you really like the thrust of a turbo, you might want to consider a Skoda Fabia, Kia Picanto GT, Kia Rio GT-Line, or VW Polo. 

The choice when it comes to official dealer accessories is pretty much limited to floor mats. 

But that doesn’t mean you should stop shopping for MG3 accessories: be sure to look at Chinese and Thai aftermarket sales sites if you want to make your MG3 stand out from the pack. 

Or if you want to take a more official customisation approach, the MG UK site has a range of decals, mirror caps, bonnet stripes, roof wraps, mud guards, even a boot liner, rubber mats, roof bars and a dog guard cargo barrier for the boot.

If you’re shopping for space on a budget, the MG3 argues a strong case. It’s not quite as spacious as a Skoda Fabia wagon (very close on price, though), and it doesn’t have the smarts of a Honda Jazz. But it is well packaged for its urban-friendly size.

For instance, the boot space is good at 307 litres with the rear seats up, and if you need extra space the back seats fold down in a 60:40 split, allowing 1081L of cargo capacity - though it’s not a flat load-through space, so maybe think carefully about your trips to Ikea.

While MG doesn’t officially offer a roof rack option in Australia, you could easily find an aftermarket solution if you need additional storage. 

In the cabin there is one cup holders as well as bottle holders in the front doors, and a couple of loose item storage areas as well. In the back you get map pockets, but there are no door storage sections for bottles and no cup holders either.

There are a couple of loose item storage areas in the cabin.

There are only two models to choose from in the MG3 range in Australia - it’s a matter of Core vs Excite.

The MG3 range is made up of the Core and Excite. (2020 Core model shown)

The look of the Excite might, ahem, excite you more than that of the Core, but if you really just want a budget city car, the Core is the pick. And you can option sat nav if you really need it. 

The MG3 has urban-friendly dimensions, but it’s hardly the tiniest car on the market. 

It measures 4055mm long (on a 2520mm wheelbase), 1729mm wide and 1504mm tall. So, if you’re shopping for the smallest size city car out there, a Kia Picanto might be better suited to your needs.

The current MG3 looks a lot more modern and enticing than the first version sold here.

In terms of weight, the MG3 has a tare mass of 1170kg - about on par with a Kia Rio.

Standard equipment for the entry-level Core includes 15-inch alloy wheels and a space-saver spare wheel, tartan finish cloth seats, halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, auto on/off lights, manual air conditioning (not climate control), electric windows and mirrors, a leather steering wheel with audio buttons and cruise control buttons. 

The MG3 has LED daytime running lights.

Plus there’s a standard 8.0-inch touch screen with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto), USB connectivity, and AM/FM radio. There’s no CD player, and the Core model gets four speakers. You can option GPS sat nav in the Core, but it’ll set you back $500 more.

The more expensive Excite adds 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels, a body kit and body-coloured mirror caps, vanity mirrors in the sun-visors, and added synthetic leather bolster trim on the seats with contrast stitching. 

The driver seat is comfortable, though some drivers might find it hard to get the right position.

Plus the Excite has sat nav as standard, and steps up the sound system to be a six-speaker unit with “Full Vehicle Yamaha 3D Sound Field”.

You can’t get a sunroof, even as an option.

This is no horsepower hero, so don’t expect to set any records for 0-100km/h times. In fact, MG doesn’t have a claimed acceleration time for the car.

With 82kW and 150Nm, it is zippy enough in urban driving, but it won’t set you back in your seat.

Honestly, the MG3’s warranty plan could be enough to get you to “give it a go”, since it is better than plenty of other established players in the market. 

With a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, the MG3 offers the potential for long-term trouble-free motoring. I mean - if you think of purchasing an MG3 differently, you could simply be paying a $2500-ish per year warranty fee, and you get a free car at the end of seven years! The only cars equal to it at this price point are the Kia Picanto and Kia Rio, and the occasional promotional warranty pack for a Mitsubishi Mirage or Honda Jazz.

Seriously though, the MG3’s warranty should help keep your mind at ease when it comes to reliability, problems, common faults and issues - any fixes due over the seven-year period should be covered, and buyers get seven years of roadside assistance included, too.

Fuel tank capacity of the MG3 is 45 litres. Just note, the filler neck is shallower than some other cars, and it can mean you might find it ‘clicks’ full sooner than it should.

Let us get the crystal ball out and see if we can figure out some numbers around resale value….

Nope. Nothing there. 

Anecdotally, the market suggests the MG3 isn’t depreciating too badly. There aren’t many used examples on sale yet, but existing demo stock of earlier versions can be had at close-to-new prices. So maybe just buy new?

This is an in-demand car - the MG3 has become the country’s best-selling model in its segment - and light cars typically depreciate less than larger, more expensive models.

The MG brand is now owned by major Chinese automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor. 

SAIC Motor not only owns the MG brand and builds all of the cars and SUVs sold with that badge in China for local consumption and for export markets, it also has ties to brands such as LDV, SAIC Volkswagen, SAIC General Motors, SAIC-GM-Wuling and more.

The MG3 isn’t the best small car on the market - but it is one of the best value offerings available, with a strong pricing structure and enviable ownership program.

Its lack of a current safety rating - and more worrying, a lack of advanced safety technology - could well stop you from buying one. The team at CarsGuide would totally understand if that were the case.

But if you are willing to overlook those shortcomings, you could be rewarded with a nicely sized, well equipped and likeable little urban hatchback.