A BETTER BUDGET BUY? (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_mg3_2019

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 110

If you're looking for an affordable small hatch from the 2018 to 2024 period, this updated version of the MG3 is a supermini you probably won't have considered. Yet it's fun to drive, practical to own and vastly more affordable than the conventional choices in this segment from this era. Compared to the original version of the MK1 MG3, this revised version offered sharper looks, a smarter cabin and improved media connectivity. If you don't need class-leading efficiency from a car of this period and you're prepared to forgive a few rough edges in return for the big savings on offer, then it could rank as a very clever choice.

Modelsword count: 7

5-door Hatch [1.5 petrol] [Explore, Excite, Exclusive]

Historyword count: 380

There's something about the two letters 'MG' that strikes a chord in the British consciousness. The brand named after 'Morris Garages' way back in 1924 has been a part of our automotive heritage for nearly a century and though its cars no longer roll down the Longbridge production line, they still have a distinctive appeal. Take this one for instance, the usefully revised version of the MG3 supermini that was launched in 2018. Of course, by 2018 MG was a very different company from the one that filed for bankruptcy in 2005. Back then, the brand looked down and out but in fact, a new future was just beginning. The Chinese were looking for a foothold in the Western market and what was left of MG seemed tempting. In 2007, the country's oldest car maker NAC snapped up the business, then two years later merged with China's largest car producer SAIC, who immediate announced plans to develop MG for the modern era. It certainly took time for things to get going though. The brand's initial offering, the mid-sized MG6 of 2011, really wasn't up to much. Things improved though when the original version of this British-engineered MG3 supermini made its debut in late 2013 and the upward trend then continued with the subsequent introduction of a couple of compact SUVs, the GS of 2016 and the XS of 2017. The XS was particularly well received and was the model responsible for boosting the brand's sales by 167% during its first twelve months on sale. That XS SUV lent many of its features to this rejuvenated MG3 model. By 2018, this supermini was no longer assembled in Britain but it was still extremely affordable, offering supermini space for citycar money. In terms of pricing, from new it was around 25% less than most mainstream brand segment rivals. This update retained the previous 1.5-litre petrol engine but delivered sharper looks and a completely new cabin incorporating much improved media connectivity. In this updated form, this remained one of the most personalisable cars in the sector and it always had a reputation for being one of the better ones to drive. Here, we check this updated MK1 MG3 out as a used buy. It sold until 2024 when a second generation model arrived.

What You Getword count: 290

This revised MG3 borrowed much from its XS SUV showroom stablemate, primarily its enlarged full-frame grille with its bigger MG octagonal badge. As with the original model, all the expected modern design cues are certainly present and correct - blacked-out A-pillars, a wraparound windscreen, twinkling daytime running lights and sharply-sculpted crease lines. In short, there's certainly nothing economy-minded about the way this thing looks. And from new it was more personalisable than most other supermini segment models if you like the idea of bright colours and sporty stripes. Inside, the brand devoted nearly all of this facelift model's improvement budget to bringing the cabin up to date and the effort paid off. The primary change was the installation of a completely new dashboard, needed because for this upgraded car, the designers had to incorporate a new 8-inch centre-dash colour touchscreen. It came as standard providing buyers avoided entry-level trim and original owners had to have it to get things like a DAB digital radio and an 'Apple CarPlay' feature that lets you duplicate smartphone functions onto the fascia screen and use your favourite apps. There was also a revised three-spoke wheel, through which you view a clearly designated set of red-tinged instrument dials. In the rear, headroom is genuinely impressive and, for this class of car, there's a reasonable amount of legroom too thanks to the way the front seatbacks have been sculpted. A couple of six-footers will be perfectly comfortable and three kids quite happy. And out back? Well the boot isn't the biggest in the class but it's certainly very class-competitive. You get 256-litres if, as we would, you elect to carry a spare wheel rather than a silly little puncture repair kit. Otherwise, there's 285-litres on offer.

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