New MG3 launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

MG has officially launched the new MG3 hatchback in South Africa.

The small car is positioned as the entry point to the Chinese brand’s catalogue of vehicles, which now encompasses four models.

The MG3 is available in four specifications, including a range-topping hybrid, with prices starting at R269,900.

Engines

The MG3 range is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with 81kW and 142Nm, which connects to the front wheels.

The base Comfort is available with either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the mid-range Luxury is only sold with a CVT.

In either case, the hatchback achieves an average fuel consumption of 6.0l/100km, which gives it a range of 750km on its 45-litre tank.

However, the MG3 is also available as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which combines a 1.5-litre engine with a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), an electric motor, and a small 1.83kWh battery.

The result is a combined output of 155kW and 425Nm, which is even more than what you’ll get on the VW Polo GTI.

It has a moderately good 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.0 seconds, but the real selling point of the hybrid is its low fuel consumption of 4.3l/100km.

It has a smaller tank size of 36 litres, but even so, it boasts an impressive range of 837km.

Features

The MG3 is 4,113mm long, 1,797mm wide, and 1,502mm tall – roughly the same size as other B-segment hatchbacks like the VW Polo, Hyundai i20, Mazda 2, or Opel Corsa.

It also has a 293-litre boot.

The base Comfort units come standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, light-sensing halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, and electric side mirrors with side indicators.

Customers can also choose from one of seven colours, namely York White, Morning Yellow, Pearl Black, Blade Silver, Hamstead Grey, Flare Red, and St. Moritz Blue.

Inside, the hatchback is equipped with push-button start, four-way manually adjustable front seats, fabric upholstery, a multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, a 7-inch digital driver display, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and four speakers.

It also has tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control, traction control, ABS, hill assist, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera with guidelines, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and four airbags.

Notably, the automatic version comes with cruise control.

Upgrading to the Luxury trim level will then add LED headlights, heated auto-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, a microfibre leather steering wheel, two more speakers (six total), a six-way manual driver’s seat, PVC and fabric seat covers, seatback pockets, rear aircon vents, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree camera.

The flagship Hybrid+ Luxury also has a few exclusive features, including a tyre repair kit, onboard navigation, blind spot monitors, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and an electric hand brake.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the new MG3 is as follows:

• MG MG3 1.5 Comfort Manual – R269,900
• MG MG3 1.5 Comfort Auto – R309,900
• MG MG3 1.5 Luxury – R344,900
• MG MG3 1.5 Hybrid+ Luxury – R469,900

This includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 3-year/45,000km service plan.

MG is currently offering an additional 2-year/50,000km warranty on the vehicle as part of its introductory offer, bringing the total coverage up to a 7-year/200,000km plan.

MG3