MG3 Hybrid 2025 First Drive – Does the Budget Hatch Finally Deliver?

MG3 Hybrid 2025 First Drive – Does the Budget Hatch Finally Deliver?

The MG3 has long been the cheap and cheerful hatchback for Australian buyers who needed four wheels and a warranty but weren’t fussed about refinement or tech. For years, it held onto the “cheapest new car” title, undercutting rivals like the Kia Picanto and Suzuki Swift. But times have changed. Emissions regulations, buyer expectations, and hybrid hype have pushed MG to completely reinvent its small hatch.

Enter the 2025 MG3 Hybrid, a radically overhauled model that ditches the old underpowered petrol engine for a fuel-sipping hybrid drivetrain, stuffed with a tech-savvy interior, all wrapped in an all-new design. We took the new MG3 Hybrid for a spin to find out if it finally lives up to modern expectations — or if it’s still a budget compromise in disguise.

🚗 What’s New in the 2025 MG3?

Let’s start with the biggest headline — the new MG3 isn’t just a facelift. It’s a ground-up redesign. MG has revamped everything from the chassis and bodywork to the infotainment and engine.

Key Highlights:

• All-new platform
• 1.5L petrol engine paired with hybrid motor
• e-CVT transmission
• Claimed fuel economy of 4.3L/100km
• Advanced safety features included as standard
• 10.25” infotainment touchscreen
• Pricing expected under $30,000 drive-away

It’s a serious effort to compete in a category once dominated by Toyota’s Yaris Hybrid and even the Suzuki Swift Hybrid — but at a much more approachable price.

🧪 First Impressions – Exterior and Design

The 2025 MG3 Hybrid is a huge visual step up from the dated old model. Gone are the awkward, bubbly proportions of the outgoing car — in comes a more athletic, Euro-inspired hatchback that looks premium at first glance.

Exterior Features:

• LED headlights and DRLs standard across the range
• Large, confident front grille
• 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inch optional)
• Sculpted sides and flared rear arches
• Sporty rear diffuser and sharp LED tail lights

It borrows design cues from the MG4 EV, especially in the nose and light design, giving it a familial and upscale look. This car no longer looks like a bargain-bin model, which should appeal to style-conscious city drivers.

💺 Interior and Comfort – Way Beyond Basic

Step inside the new MG3, and you might be surprised — this feels like a car from a class above. The old interior was functional at best, but this new version features a completely redesigned cabin, with far better use of space, materials, and tech.

Interior Highlights:

• Dual screens: 7-inch digital instrument cluster + 10.25-inch infotainment
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Ambient lighting on higher trims
• Improved seat support and adjustment
• Rear legroom improved thanks to longer wheelbase

The dash design is clean, with a floating screen and intuitive layout. There’s still a bit of hard plastic, but that’s expected at this price point. Importantly, everything feels solid, and build quality is leagues ahead of the outgoing MG3.

⚙️ Under the Hood – MG’s First Hybrid Hatch

This is where the real transformation happens. The 2025 MG3 Hybrid uses a series-parallel hybrid setup, developed in-house by MG’s parent company SAIC.

Powertrain Specs:

• 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol engine (70kW)
• Electric motor (100kW)
• Combined output: approx. 140kW
• Transmission: e-CVT (electronic continuously variable transmission)
• Drive: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

Despite being a hybrid, the MG3 can drive short distances on electric power alone at low speeds. The system intelligently switches between electric, petrol, and hybrid modes depending on the situation.

What’s more, the MG3 uses a traditional hybrid system (not a plug-in), meaning no need to charge — just fill it with petrol and drive.

⛽ Fuel Economy and Efficiency

MG claims the MG3 Hybrid achieves 4.3L/100km combined fuel consumption — a huge improvement over the outgoing petrol-only MG3’s 6.7L/100km.

Real-World Testing:

During our first drive, which included urban commuting and freeway cruising around Sydney and the Blue Mountains, we recorded figures around 4.7–5.1L/100km — pretty impressive for a non-plug-in hybrid.

This puts the MG3 right in line with the Toyota Yaris Hybrid and ahead of some small SUVs in terms of fuel savings.

🛞 On the Road – Driving Impressions

This is where things get interesting. The outgoing MG3 was “adequate” — noisy, vague steering, and very basic. The new MG3 Hybrid completely rewrites that script.

Ride and Handling:

• Smooth hybrid transitions — barely noticeable gear changes
• Instant torque from the electric motor makes urban driving snappy
• Steering is light but precise, great for city use
• Suspension is tuned more for comfort than sportiness
• Surprisingly quiet cabin at highway speeds

It’s not a hot hatch, but it drives confidently. Compared to the Yaris Hybrid, it’s slightly softer in corners, but better at absorbing bumps. The ride comfort is easily one of the MG3’s strongest points.

🧯 Safety – Big Tech in a Small Package

Safety is an area where MG has massively stepped up. The old MG3 had minimal driver aids, but the new hybrid variant brings it up to 2025 standards.

Standard Safety Features:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Lane Keep Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• 360-degree camera on top trims
• 6 Airbags

ANCAP hasn’t rated the MG3 Hybrid yet, but with this suite of features, it’s well positioned for a strong score.

📦 Practicality – Boot Space and Storage

While it's a compact hatch, MG has worked hard to make the MG3 as practical as possible.

Key Figures:

• Boot space: 293L (seats up), expands to 983L with rear seats folded
• Rear seats: 60:40 split
• Front and rear USB ports
• Deep door bins and large glovebox

It won’t beat a small SUV for cargo space, but for a hatch in this segment, it’s plenty usable — especially for city dwellers or first-time car buyers.

💰 Price and Value – The MG Advantage

The MG3 has always been about affordability, and even with the hybrid tech, MG is aiming to keep that identity intact.

Expected Pricing (Drive-Away in Australia):

• MG3 Hybrid Core: ~$24,990
• MG3 Hybrid Excite: ~$27,990
• MG3 Hybrid Essence: ~$29,990

Even fully loaded, the MG3 undercuts the Yaris Hybrid by several thousand dollars. Add in MG’s 7-year/unlimited km warranty, and you’ve got one of the best value hybrid hatches on sale.

🆚 Rivals – How the MG3 Compares

Here’s how the 2025 MG3 Hybrid stacks up against key rivals:

The MG3 dominates in power, price, and boot size — making it a seriously compelling choice for those not ready for a full EV but looking for serious fuel savings.

🧠 Verdict – Is the MG3 Hybrid Finally a Serious Contender?

Absolutely. The 2025 MG3 Hybrid is no longer the “cheap car” with excuses. It’s now a legitimate option for anyone seeking a stylish, tech-laden, fuel-efficient city hatch — with serious bang for buck.

If you’re looking for:

• A daily driver with hybrid savings
• Modern safety and infotainment
• Practicality without SUV bulk
• A sub-$30K new car with warranty

…then the MG3 Hybrid should be at the top of your list.

Final Score: 8.6/10

✅ Pros:

• Impressive fuel economy
• Best-in-class tech at this price
• Punchy performance from hybrid drivetrain
• Stylish design
• Generous warranty

❌ Cons:

• No plug-in option
• Rear seat space is average
• Steering feedback could be sharper

If MG keeps improving like this, the days of dismissing them as “cheap knockoffs” are numbered. The 2025 MG3 Hybrid isn’t just budget-friendly — it’s genuinely good.