MG has been making waves in the automotive industry for a century now, evolving from its roots in creating small British sports cars to becoming a global leader in affordable and efficient vehicles.
The MG3 Hybrid+ is a significant step forward in MG’s journey toward a greener future.
As hybrid and electric vehicles become more popular, this new city car offers an entry-level option for drivers who want an eco-friendly vehicle without breaking the bank. But does the car live up to expectations? Our road trip to the 2024 Festival of Speed was the perfect opportunity to put the MG3 Hybrid+ to the test.
At first glance, the redesigned grille catches your eye. It's sharper, sleeker, and sports the classic MG logo with pride. This gives the car a more aggressive stance than you'd expect from a hybrid, reminding us of MG's motorsport legacy. The new LED headlights not only improve nighttime visibility but add to the car’s sporty appearance.
The side profile boasts subtle but effective sculpting, with aerodynamic lines that flow smoothly from front to back. The alloy wheels (15-inch on base models and 16-inch on higher trims) provide both style and substance, offering a solid grip on the road.
The rear continues the sporty aesthetic with redesigned taillights, a compact spoiler, and a subtle hybrid badge. Despite its compact size, the car feels like it's punching above its weight in terms of design appeal.
When stepping inside, it’s clear that MG focused on combining comfort, tech, and practicality in this small but capable car. While it’s not a luxury interior by any stretch, the materials and features are perfectly suited to an affordable hybrid vehicle.
For a small car, the MG3 Hybrid+ offers a surprisingly roomy interior. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom for both the driver and passengers. While it’s ideal for city driving, you won’t feel cramped on longer journeys either, and one of the standout features its updated infotainment system. The 8-inch touchscreen is responsive and intuitive to use. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, so connecting your smartphone is a breeze. Whether navigating or controlling your music, the system is a perfect travel companion.
While this sits in the affordable category, MG has added a few premium touches. The dashboard and door trims are now wrapped in soft-touch materials, and the seats—especially in the higher trims—come with a stylish fabric and leatherette combo. The supportive seats make it ideal for long drives, which we’ll talk more about during our road trip section.
Now, let’s talk performance – it may not be a performance car in the traditional sense, but it packs a surprising amount of power for a hybrid in its class. Pairing a 1.5-liter petrol engine with a compact electric motor. Together, they produce a combined output of around 200 horsepower, which is more than adequate for a car of this size. The hybrid system works seamlessly to deliver smooth power, switching between petrol and electric modes as needed.
When driving in town, the electric motor handles much of the load, offering whisper-quiet operation and zero emissions. Once we hit the motorway on our trip to Goodwood, the petrol engine took over, offering enough punch to comfortably cruise at higher speeds. Fuel efficiency is where the MG3 Hybrid+ truly shines. Over the course of our journey, we got up to an impressive 67 miles per gallon, a number that will no doubt appeal to anyone looking to save on fuel costs. Thanks to its efficient hybrid system, the MG3 proves that you don’t need to compromise on range or performance to drive green.
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