New growth in the compact segment is more than welcome to keep driving affordable. The MG3 Hybrid is a full-fledged hybrid with a base price so low that many people can buy it. But with 192 hp it is also a wanton thing.
Our Belgian readers will not be surprised that we start talking about the price right away. It is in our blood, our greedy Dutch. The MG3 Hybrid has a base price of 22,769 euros and with that MG is putting a good proposition on the table. You get a compact hatchback with a full-fledged hybrid drivetrain, which means that it has an automatic transmission and that the electric auxiliary motor is strong enough to drive the car on electricity for short distances. Adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control and a touchscreen with telephone connection are all standard.
Electric motor is the star of the show
The electric motor is not really an auxiliary motor, with 136 hp and 250 Nm it is the star of the show. It enables electric driving up to 80 km/h and is powered by a 1.83 kWh battery pack that lives under the rear seat. By hybrid standards, that is a large battery. This means that you often drive completely on electricity in the city and in traffic jams. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with only 102 hp and 128 Nm remains quiet.
When both engines work together, 192 hp goes to the front wheels. The 1285 kilo hatchback sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in a flash. According to MG it takes 8.0 seconds, but in reality it goes faster. So while you usually buy a hybrid car for its economy, the MG3 Hybrid initially stands out mainly for its power.
Where’s that hybrid party?
Actually, you hardly notice that you are driving a hybrid car. The drivetrain has five driving modes, but the MG3 Hybrid selects them completely automatically. There is no button with which the driver can switch on the EV mode, for example.
In the instrument cluster, the car does give a hint of what it’s up to by showing ‘EV’ or ‘HEV’ in small letters. And your ears signal when the combustion engine is switched on. A three-speed automatic transmission that sometimes shifts up a bit late does the rest of the trickery. We manage to stay close to the stated fuel consumption of 4.4 l/100 km.
The fact that the MG3 is such a self-reliant type can also be seen as a disadvantage. Most hybrid cars challenge you to drive as economically as possible. For example, the Toyota Yaris shows what percentage of the time you drive electrically and the Ford Mondeo Hybrid’s instrument cluster starts to grow leaves when you are being green.
The MG3 Hybrid doesn’t exactly make a hybrid party of it. It does show a small display of the energy flows, but you can’t clearly see what’s happening. As mentioned, the car doesn’t even have buttons to force-drive on electricity. However, we have to give the designers a compliment: you can regulate the recovery of braking energy yourself with three settings, which is a nice addition.
Buttocks and mischief
Still, we don’t trust the MG designers completely. Because the fit of the driver’s seat suits us so well that we find it slightly suspicious. Did MG send those designers into our bedroom to secretly make a butt print at night and shape the front seats after it? The cushions are soft and the subtle cheeks of the seat hold you firmly.
Other positive highlights in the interior are the row of physical buttons below the touchscreen and the simple operation of the buttons on the steering wheel. The head and legroom are fine for a car in the B-segment, as is the capacity of the boot (293 to 983 liters).
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The MG3 Hybrid also offers the mature driving behaviour that you would expect from this type of car. With a smooth suspension and damping and good straight-line stability. A B-segmenter may be seen as a sturdy city car, it must still offer sufficient comfort to cross half of the Netherlands.
However, the MG3 is not just a down-to-earth model for people who are serious about money. Because the 192 horsepower quickly makes you a bit mischievous. Once you get used to the acute power of the electric motor, it is tempting to drive away with screeching tires. And although the steering lacks feedback, it is fairly direct, so that you start throwing and tossing more and more without noticing. It is certainly not a Ford Fiesta in sheep’s clothing, but for a car in this down-to-earth segment, the MG3 drives quite nicely.
Cheaper than a Toyota Yaris
With its base price of 22,769 euros, the MG is thousands of euros cheaper than a hybrid Toyota Yaris (from 26,050 euros) or Renault Clio (from 26,290 euros). Even the most luxurious version of the MG3 is still cheaper than the cheapest versions of its competitors.
There are three trim levels to choose from and MG has high expectations for the top model. For 25,769 euros you can drive a car with 16-inch alloy wheels, heated seats and a 360-degree camera. The blue paint of our test car costs 650 euros extra.
MG offers a 7-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty. If you dutifully bring the car to the MG Brand Store for maintenance every 12 months or 24,000 kilometres, the free roadside assistance will be extended by another year.
Conclusion
The MG3 Hybrid is a welcome addition to the increasingly smaller and more expensive B-segment. Not only because you buy a practical, economical and powerful car for a competitive price, but also because it keeps the other car brands on their toes. In short, there is little to stop you from buying this hybrid hatchback.
Source: www.autoreview.nl
