MG’s rollout of new models continues with the arrival of its next-generation MG 3 hatch in Australia
The new-generation 2024 MG 3 (styled MG3) is now on sale in Australia, priced from $23,990 through to $29,990 before on-road costs – with location-specific drive-away deals available across the range.
The 2024 MG 3’s pricing marks a circa $7000 increase over its predecessor, but MG is eager to make clear that its new hatch represents a significant leap beyond the outgoing model.
Key among its improvements is the safety list, with the new 2024 MG 3 boasting alert systems for forward collision and lane departure, blind spots, rear cross traffic, tyre pressures, and driver attention.
Assistance features include adaptive cruise, speed-limit notification and emergency lane keeping – all working to make the new model significantly safer than the comparatively bare-bones package of its predecessor.
Opening with the Excite trim grade, all variants ride on 16-inch alloy wheels, while a 12.25-inch main display and 7-inch driver display are standard in all grades – although you’ll miss out on integrated navigation and digital radio at this end of the line-up.
Opting for the higher-end Essence model for an extra $2000 adds LED headlights in place of regular halogen lamps, along with keyless entry, automatic wipers, and a sunroof.
In the cabin, the Essence upgrades from standard cloth to a combination vinyl-fabric trim, while the steering wheel goes from vinyl to genuine leather.
The aforementioned satellite navigation and digital radio is added in for the Essence grade, along with a complimentary three-year subscription to MG’s iSmart remote connectivity phone app, including car location, door locking and unlocking, cabin climate, route transfer and vehicle diagnostics.
Power in the petrol-electric MG 3 Hybrid+ is provided by a 75kW/128Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine matched to a 100kW/250Nm electric motor for a 155kW total system output. That’s a big number for such a little car, but the 2024 MG 3 Hybrid+ is definitely tuned for efficiency, with a 0-100km/h time of 8.0 seconds as testament to that. Towing is rated at 500kg on all models.
The hybrid has a 1.83kWh battery and offers four drive modes: Electric, series-hybrid, ‘series and charge’, ‘drive and charge’, and parallel-hybrid.
In its hybrid form, the 2024 MG 3 claims a WLTP-rated combined fuel consumption of 4.4L/100km, marking a welcome improvement of the 6.7L/100km figure of its predecessor – and that was only an ADR-tested number.
Measuring 4113mm long, 1502mm tall and 1797mm wide on a 2570mm wheelbase, the 2024 MG 3 is 58mm longer, 2mm lower and 68mm wider than the outgoing model, with a 50mm increase in the wheelbase.
Much of that has gone into passenger space, however, with its 293-litre boot actually 14 litres smaller than before.
The 2024 MG 3 is offered with a seven-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty, with capped-price servicing available from between $234-$536 for the petrol model and $235-$628 for the hybrid.
How much is the 2024 MG 3 in Australia?
| 2024 MG 3 pricing | |
|---|---|
| MG3 Excite petrol | $23,990 RRP ($26,079 drive-away) |
| MG3 Essence petrol | $25,990 RRP ($28,139 drive-away) |
| MG3 Hybrid+ Excite | $27,990 RRP ($30,199 drive-away) |
| MG3 Hybrid+ Essence | $29,990 RRP ($32,259 drive-away) |
What features are standard with the 2024 MG 3?
| 2024 MG3 Excite features | |
|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise | Halogen headlights |
| Intelligent cruise assist | LED daytime lights |
| Intelligent speed assist | Cloth seats |
| Blind spot + Rear cross traffic alert | One-touch windows (driver anti-trap) |
| Tyre pressure monitoring | 7-inch driver cluster |
| Forward collision warning | 10.25-inch infotainment |
| Lane departure warning | Plug-in CarPlay and Auto |
| Emergency lane-keep assist | Rear vents |
| ‘Unsteady driver’ warning | Rear USB-A |
| 16-inch alloy wheels | |
| Space-saver spare wheel | |
What does upgrading add?
| 2024 MG3 Essence features | |
|---|---|
| 360-degree camera | Auto wipers |
| LED projector headlights | Keyless entry |
| Sunroof | iSmart phone functions compatibility (3-year subscription) |
| Pleather/cloth seats | Digital radio |
| Leather steering wheel (pleather Excite) | Built-in nav |
| 2024 MG3 Hybrid+ features | |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian warning sound for electric mode | Drive mode button |
| Tyre repair kit | Auto single-zone climate (electronic petrol) |
| Electronic rotary gear selector | |
Read elsewhere: Australia’s most fuel-efficient cars