Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

MG3 car review – Fiesta-sized hatch for under £10,000

Funky looks, keen handling, and an awful lot of car for the price tag.
MG3_review_action
follows

Share

1 November 2013

MG3_car_review_action
The MG3 is the second model to come from the Chinese re-incarnation of the iconic British sports car

MG3 Style

What is it?

You probably already know that MG is back. 

But the car that marked its return – the MG6 – wasn’t exactly a big seller. (Click here for our review of the MG6.)

So here’s attempt number two – the Fiesta-sized MG3. With it, the reborn British brand is hoping for a supermini success thanks to the 3’s customisation options, its rock-bottom price-tag (this top-spec MG3 Style car costs £9999!) and supposedly fun handling.

Thanks to MG’s Chinese ownership, the MG3 is already sold in China and has been for some time, but British-based engineers have worked hard on the chassis to tune it for UK roads.

 

MG3_car_review
The MG3 handles well, and it’s a lot of car for the price tag

What’s hot?

  • We like the MG3’s funky looks, with hockey-stick shaped LED running lights and simple lines it’s clean and stylish. You can also add funky alloys, stripes and decals if you want to jazz it up a bit.
    MG3_car_review
    We like the MG3’s funky looks too, and boot space is pretty generous
  • That price is hard to ignore. Go for top-spec MG3 Form Sport and you’ll get 16-inch alloys, cruise control, DAB radio, air-con and Bluetooth all thrown in for £10,000. A Fiesta with that level of kit would cost more like £13,000.
  • As well as the cheap price-tag, the MG3 also sits in insurance group 4E so it’ll be really cheap to insure.
  • The MG3 has some spacious back seats, with plenty of kneeroom and headroom for tall adults. The 285-litre boot is pretty generous, too, so you can pack in a few large bags if you need to.
  • The handling is actually pretty good; there’s a lot of grip and a feeling of agility. Unfortunately, the steering is a little inconsistent and heavy so it never feels as nippy or engaging as a Fiesta.

 

MG3_car_review
Cabin quality leaves a little to be desired

What’s not

  • The only engine currently on offer is a 1.5-litre petrol with 105bhp. It feels slow and noisy without the turbocharged hit of most small capacity engines.
  • It also emits 136g/km of CO2, compared with 99g/km for the Fiesta EcoBoost. That means standard rate taxpayers will shell out £27 per month in company car tax for a £14,495 Fiesta Zetec Ecoboost and £36 on a £9999 MG3. MG3 buyers will have to put up with the 48.7mpg fuel economy, too, where Fiesta buyers get 65.7mpg.
  • Cabin quality could be better, with a fair amount of hard scratchy plastic throughout. The buttons on the steering wheel look and feel old so if it’s premium you’re after, you’ll be best off looking elsewhere.

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

Latest news

Top