MG3

Introduction The MG3 is the car that will raise the profile of MG Motors UK. The MG6 has been out since 2010 but has not fared well on the sales front, this MG3, however, could make the company sing.The MG3 is a new car from the ground-up and this model has actually been on sale in China since 2011.Prices start from £8,399 and rises to £9,999 for the flagship Style trim. MG is targeting first time buyers and with insurance groups as low as 4E, it may just succeed.Don’t be fooled this MG is at the value end of the market hoping to do battle with Dacia. It may even take sales off more established makers as it looks good, has plenty of kit on offer, even on the entry-level model, so it may just have a chance. Rivals include the Dacia Sandero, the Skoda Citigo and the UK’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta. Performance 3.0/5 Only one engine is on offer for the whole of the MG3 range and this is the biggest disappointment – the lack of choice. Powering the MG3 is a 103bhp1.5-litre petrol engine. It fares well, completing the zero to 60mph benchmark sprint in 10.3 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 108mph. With only 137Nm of torque, you’ll have to work the little MG hard when overtaking on single lane carriageways. If MG, however, adds a few more engines to its line-up then this car will ‘fly’ out of the Longbridge gates. Ride & Handling 4.0/5 Box ticked, aimed at the 'yoof' market the chassis is 'bang-tidy' - take the MG3 out into twisty country B roads and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The car’s steering is well weighted, there’s plenty of front-end grip and little bodyroll when driving enthusiastically. That agility means that the ride is a tad firm but this car is a hoot to drive so we don’t mind. If MG decided to install a more powerful engine then they could have a hot hatch that would raise quite a few eyebrows with the establishment – the chassis really is that good. Equipment 4.0/5 The interior is a little dated. The MG3 is not as well designed as Ford’s current Fiesta. However, it’s functional and comes with a good deal of kit. Highlights include Bluetooth, USB connectivity and DAB radio, even in the entry-level model. Move up to the 3Style and you add cruise control, auto wipers and headlamps, reverse parking sensors and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Our car had a few optional extras including part leather trim (£500), Emoticons exterior graphics pack (£199), piano black and silver interior pack (£99) and Newton Black wing mirror caps (£39) taking our test car from £9,999 to a price of £10,836. Personalisation in this class is very popular and the MG3 comes with its own quirky add-ons. The graphics packs are available from £199, and are specified when you order the car. Our advice is to try not to go to mad as you may hurt future resale values if your car is too garish. Running Costs 3.5/5 With only one engine on offer, the MG3 is never going to come top of the class when it comes to running costs. It has a claimed average of 48.7mpg and emits 136g/km of CO2 whereas Ford’s Fiesta powered by the 1.0-litre EcoBoost returns a claimed 66mpg, emits 99g/km. This version of the Fiesta, however, starts at £13,895 – now that’s £3,000 more than the flagship model of the MG3 – you’d have to cover a lot of miles to spend £3,000 in fuel even at the current prices. Motortorque Verdict 3.5/5 The MG6 never really made the mark when it was introduced in 2010, this latest model from the Longbridge based maker, the MG3, has a much better chance of hitting its sales targets. It’s attractive to look at (as long as you leave the graphics packs alone), prices are ultra-competitive and if MG widens the engine line-up and broadens its dealer network then this car has a real chance to flourish. If we liken MG Motors UK to a band then the MG3 is a really good second album. Maybe the third will go platinum...