Cars
MG is Back with a Hybrid Hatchback! Here’s our Review
MG takes a step into the future with the new MG3, but is it worth the hype?
Since leaving South Africa in 2016, MG has been a bit absent from local roads, but they’re back. After being acquired by Chinese-owned SAIC, the brand is back with a new range of vehicles, including a B-segment hatchback, which is great news given that there is a real shortage of options in that category.
One of the flagship entries in this genre is the MG3 1.5 HEV Luxury, the top-end option of the new hatchback batch, bringing a petrol/EV hybrid to the shores of SA with a (somewhat) reasonable price in tow.
At first glance, the MG3 leans more toward a Chinese-vehicle design philosophy than that of the brand’s British heritage. The classic and royal look of old MGs has been swapped for a more modern, sleek, and futuristic design with sharp edges and carbon-fibre accents rounding out the silhouette. Throw in LED headlights and stylish alloy wheels, and you get a car that looks more like a glimpse into future hatchbacks than what you’d traditionally expect from MG.
On the inside, you get a more racing-inspired interior that’s reminiscent of the Ford Focus ST of yesteryear. Deeper seats, a Formula 1-inspired steering wheel, and coloured seat stitching make this feel more like a sporty edition than that of its “luxury” moniker. On top of that, you get two displays: a 7-inch screen behind the wheel showcasing speed, distance, and the vehicle status; along with a 10-inch screen for all the functions (aircon, infotainment, etc.).
The operating system is relatively straightforward, which I like, and isn’t as cluttered and overcomplicated as other brands’ UIs. It also has all the bells and whistles (lane correction, adaptive cruise control, etc.), and all of it is easy to navigate to and toggle on or off.
So, for clarity, this is not a plug-in electric vehicle but a traditional hybrid, using its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine to charge an electric motor that delivers 155 kW and 425 Nm. Out of the gate, the 1.5L engine needs a bit of revs on the clock to get going, but as you get into second and third gear, the MG3 delivers a growling punch of power that makes it feel a little nippier than its counterparts on the market. It’s more than suitable for highway driving and feels agile thanks to its smaller size and fantastic turning capabilities.
The zippiness is also due to the fact that the MG3 utilises the electric motor to give the car a bit of a boost (whereas the other models use a CVT gearbox to do so). The smoother and slightly beefed-up ride helps reduce fuel consumption, with gear changes also feeling seamless without any jerking or interruptions in power.
The MG3 is an interesting hatchback that feels familiar in a lot of ways, but has a few extra tricks up its sleeve thanks to the electric motor. You get a bit more oomph under the hood and some ‘high-tech’ features (such as the dual screens) which you often only see on more premium vehicles. It’s not ‘cheap’, coming in at R469,900, but it’s one of the more dynamic hatchbacks you’ll see in a shrinking and almost non-existent category, making it pretty unique.
