2025 MG MG3 Essence review – Petrol & Hybrid+ (video)

For the last few years, the MG3 has dominated the light car segment – a category which continues to contract in the face of increasing SUV dominance. With the switch to an all-new generation, priorities have shifted from price alone to a more safety-intense and mature package. There’s also now a hybrid version, capitalising on a rising market trend towards hybridisation.

The light car under $30k segment has contracted by 23.1 per cent to the end of September 2024 (VFACTS) – a segment the MG3 was almost single-handedly carrying with its price advantage. Now that has diminished, the MG3 still remains the biggest seller, with 47.7 per cent total volume, but the evergreen Mazda2 and Suzuki’s all-new Swift aren’t too far behind.

As we discovered a few months ago, the new MG3 Hybrid+ offers hot hatch-like performance while maintaining impressive fuel economy. Here, we sample the petrol model in Essence trim for a closer look, and take another quick spin in the hybrid, examining pricing, interior quality, safety, driving dynamics, and where it stands against the competition.

2025 MG MG3 Essence Petrol: Specifications

Engine: 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder
Output: 81kW@6000rpm / 142Nm@4500rpm
Gearbox: CVT auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 16×6.0, 195/55
ANCAP: Three stars
Tare weight: 1185kg
Power-to-weight: 14.62:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 6.0L/100km
Our consumption: 7.3L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 45L/91 RON

Power efficiency: 13.5kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 6.01 seconds*
0-100km/h: 12.40 seconds*
60-110km/h: 8.45 seconds*
1/4 mile: 18.83 seconds at 126.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.469g*
100-0km/h braking: 44.90m in 3.51 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.210g*
Decibel at idle: 43*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 83*
Starting price: $25,990

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2025 MG MG3 Essence: How much does it cost?

Relative affordability is still a strong point for the MG3 Essence range – though prices have crept up since the car’s mid-year launch. The standard MG3 Essence petrol variant is priced at $29,685 drive-away, while the Essence Hybrid+ comes in at a premium, costing $34,005 drive-away, which is getting a bit cheeky. For an additional $500 buyers can opt for metallic paint. It’s worth mentioning MG run sales campaigns regularly, so patience could be key for a good deal.

One of the MG3’s standout perks is MG’s 10-year, 250,000km warranty – an industry-leading offer that raises eyebrows. Both models also benefit from seven years of capped-price servicing, with each service interval every 10,000km, or annually – whichever comes first. Costs range from $234 to $536 for the non-hybrid and $234 to $627 for the Hybrid+. Not bad, but soundly beaten by the Toyota Yaris Hybrid’s Toyota Service Advantage.

With a current (at the time of writing) median price of 193c/L for 91 RON, the non-hybrid would cost $86.85 to fill its 45-litre tank. The hybrid, with its smaller 36-litre tank, requires 95 RON, resulting in a $75.60 fill. At these rates, it would take 384 tanks to offset the $4320 premium of the Hybrid, but bear in mind the hybrid’s 28 per cent better fuel efficiency, at 4.3L/100km versus 6.0L/100km (ADR81/02).

2025 MG MG3 Essence: Interior & packaging

Step inside the MG3 Essence, and the cabin is surprisingly futuristic – almost a straight lift from the MG4 EV. The interior space is well optimised within its compact exterior dimensions of 4113mm in length, 1797mm in width, and 1502mm in height.

The car’s wheelbase of 2570mm, coupled with a slightly wider rear track (1535mm compared to the 1514mm front track), creates a well-planted stance and allows for a surprising amount of legroom. The seating is comfortable, if not exactly plush, but it accommodates four adults with ease thanks to the high roofline. While capacious, five adults would be a bit of a stretch.

Adding a sense of luxury, the Essence Hybrid+ in blue with a white interior package transforms the MG3’s interior. This package lifts the ambiance with a premium feel, appealing to style-conscious buyers. This colour combination is available only on the hybrid with Brighton Blue or Black Pearl only.

Additionally, the Essence includes a sunroof, though at speeds over 100km/h, keeping the sunroof or windows open introduces noticeable wind turbulence, which detracts from the cabin’s otherwise quiet environment.

Both models feature a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touch-screen, complete with (tethered) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The interface is simple and responsive, ensuring that essential functions are easily accessible.

Practicality extends to the boot, with a capacity of 293 litres, expandable to 983 litres when the rear seats are folded down. While this provides ample space for most daily needs, the lack of a 60:40 split-fold rear seat limits its versatility for larger cargo. Rear passengers benefit from air vents and a USB port, making it more comfortable for longer journeys.

A real highlight in both models is MG’s iSMART app. It offers real-world diagnostics, fuel (as a percentage), location and the ability to prime the HVAC before you get in the car.

2025 MG MG3 Essence: Powertrain & handling

The MG3 Essence’s two powertrains have two very different characters. The petrol variant is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 81kW and 142Nm. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritises fuel economy, with an official rate of 6.0L/100km (though our real-world results averaged around 7.3L/100 km).

The CVT is an improvement over the unit in the outgoing ZST Core and Vibe, keeping revs low at higher speeds – just 2400rpm at 110km/h – which contributes to a quiet cabin at cruising speeds. However, this combo is notably sluggish off the line, especially during heavy acceleration, and becomes coarse at higher revs.

Handling in the petrol variant is surprisingly engaging (for an entry level vehicle), with MG refining the suspension to provide a more responsive drive. The MG3 petrol now feels ‘chuckable’, with the suspension managing corners well enough and maintaining a composed stance through tight turns. Steering feedback is adequate, though it lacks the precision found in more expensive rivals. Overall, the petrol variant handles urban driving with ease but falls short of delivering a lively performance for those who crave more engagement behind the wheel.

The Hybrid+ variant, on the other hand, brings a different experience. Featuring a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine paired with an electric motor, this powertrain delivers a combined 155kW. This hybrid system transforms the MG3 into a near-hot hatch, capable of achieving 0-100km/h in just over 7.0 seconds. The instant torque provides quick acceleration from a standstill, making city driving lively and responsive.

However, the increased power exceeds the capability of the chassis, especially when exiting tight corners or navigating damp roads. A more sporting chassis tune as well as an LSD or torque vectoring would transform the hybrid to a properly fun one.

Furthermore, as we remarked in our review of the Excite Hybrid+, performance is inconsistent and dependent on the battery level, so not always repeatable.

Three levels of regenerative braking allow drivers to adjust the braking force, which is particularly useful on downhill sections, improving both efficiency and brake life. The Hybrid+ sports an official fuel economy of 4.3L/100 km (we averaged 4.9 L/100 km in real-world testing), though it requires 95 RON premium fuel as mentioned, unlike the petrol variant which takes more affordable 91 RON. A minor downside is that one-pedal driving, a feature in MG’s all-electric MG4, isn’t available, though it could have enhanced city driving convenience in this hybrid setup. Surely a cheap add-on, MG?

Of course, we can’t overlook the recent headlines of MG3’s disappointing three-star ANCAP rating. This excludes it from some ride-sharing apps such as Uber. In deference to MG, the adult, child and vulnerable road user protection scores are 72, 74 and 76 per cent respectively. ANCAP’s movable feast of ‘Safety Assist’ lets it down with just 58 per cent.

We’d advise reading ANCAP’s findings here to determine if you can overlook this. We consider the lack of a distraction-inducing driver attention monitor is not a bad thing, but moderate injuries to ANCAP’s dummy were sustained in the oblique pole test. Would we call this an unsafe car? Objectively, no but it is not the safest in its class.

The MG3 in both petrol and hybrid iterations is now a far more grown up car. Fun to drive around corners and refined to cruise in, it has successfully shaken off the cheap and nasty image of its predecessor. With a class-leading warranty and low running costs, it’s easy to see why the MG3 has retained appeal among small car buyers.

2025 MG MG3: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Generous warranty: The MG3’s 10-year, 250,000km warranty is a massive drawcard.
• Hybrid power and efficiency: The Hybrid+ delivers impressive power and efficiency, even if it pales compared with the Yaris hybrid.
• Interior quality in Hybrid+: The white interior package in the Hybrid+ elevates the cabin’s appeal, adding a premium feel to a value-oriented hatch.

2025 MG MG3: Key considerations before you buy

• Safety rating: With only a 3-star ANCAP rating, the MG3 falls behind expectations.
• Sluggish CVT performance in petrol: The petrol variant’s CVT transmission and unresponsive engine may leave some drivers wanting a more dynamic experience – though this is only apparent off the line.
• Wind turbulence at higher speeds: Driving with the sunroof open above 100km/h results in noticeable wind buffeting compared with others.