Where the last MG3 fell happily into the “NZ’s cheapest new cars” segment of the market, and the hybrid version of the new one settles smugly into the “comfortable and supremely frugal runabout” line up, the internal combustion-only version of the new model lands in the no-man's land in between. Or, at least it does on paper.
The petrol-only version of the new MG3 starts at $25,990 for the Excite and tops out with the Essence at $27,990 (a considerable jump over the last car’s $20,990 starting point), with MG claiming a combined average fuel consumption of 6.0L/100km.
However, there is a slight problem in that the real world figures don’t really line up with the claimed figures. At least not during our time with the MG3 Essence you see here.
In fact, while we had previously easily replicated MG’s claim of 4.3L/100km for the hybrid version, the ICE model never even got close to its claim and returned more than double the hybrids figures, with a rather horrifying 10.2L/100km showing after a week of driving.
Now, while you may well put this figure down to a typical motoring journalist's heavy foot, it really wasn’t. In fact I was genuinely trying to be as economical as possible, given the hybrid’s impressive frugality and the ease with which I saw equally-impressive numbers from the manual mild-hybrid Suzuki Swift.
While I never expected it to be better, I fully expected the ICE MG3 to be at least within spitting distance of the 20kg heavier hybrid model. I certainly didn’t expect it to be considerably worse.
The details as to why the hybrid is so economical are no mystery - while it is only slightly heavier, it also features a very clever (if rather complex) hybrid system that allows it to operate more like an EV, but also features a vast amount of torque (425Nm combined) to draw on.
The ICE version, however, doesn’t. With a 81kW/142Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, it certainly isn’t bad, but it is less than the 82kW/150Nm from the previous model, which was also 110kg lighter.
MG claims a combined average fuel consumption of 6.0L/100km, but this is a figure tested under the old, outdated and wildly optimistic NEDC test cycle.
Add the fact that the continuously variable transmission has it thrashing away high in the revs for most of the time and is actually a worse experience than the old car’s four-speed automatic transmission and it all adds up to strongly suggest that the new MG43 was designed around the hybrid powertrain and the ICE-only version was almost an afterthought.
Which is all very much a shame, as the new MG3 is otherwise a truly likeable car.
While it may not be the bargain basement special it once was, this shows in the vast improvement in comfort and interior quality, while build quality is also massively improved inside the cabin.
This continues on the exterior, with an excellent consistency across the panel gaps and paint finish, with the entire package just feeling more mature and complete. In fact, the price increase over the old car actually feels rather modest when you start taking in the improvements.
This feeling of maturity also comes through in the ride quality, with a nicely composed and compliant nature that makes the MG3 ride like a far larger car. It is also impressively roomy for a small car too, amplifying the impression.
It definitely feels like a massive improvement over the old car, with a hugely improved interior and excellent build quality all round.
However, the hybrid model delivers all of this as well, but with an impressively quiet and refined drivetrain that also happens to be extremely frugal.
The final nail in the coffin is the fact that at $29,990 the entry level Excite model of the hybrid is only $2,000 more than the ICE Essence, and while the Essence hybrid is $31,990, I would argue that the relatively meagre amount of added kit you get isn’t really worth worrying about (and I hate sunroofs anyway) compared to the vast improvement it makes to driveability and fuel consumption.
If you are considering the MG3, then my advice is don't worry about the extra kit in the Essence model and buy the base model hybrid and you'll have a fantastically frugal, comfortable and well built small car that more than justifies its price hike over the old model.
What are the key statistics for the MG3 Essence?
The petrol-only MG3 is powered by an 81kW/142Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. MG claims a combined average fuel consumption of 6.0L/100km, but this is a figure tested under the old, outdated and wildly optimistic NEDC test cycle.
Is the MG3 Essence efficient?
Well, our test vehicle certainly wasn't. The new MG3 weighs 110kg more than the old one and, without any of the hybrid additions, its engine generally has to work harder than the old car and the new ca's hybrid models as well. It doesn't add up to terribly impressive results, with our car nudging into double figures in terms of average fuel consumption.
Is the MG3 Essence good to drive?
Not as good as the hybrid, but it is still an impressively refined and resolved car to drive. The CVT takes the edge off the refinement a wee bit, but it is still generally a very nice car to drive.
Is the MG3 Essence practical?
The new car has grown slightly over the old one, so offers excellent interior space for the segment, while its boot space of 293 litres is also good for the segment. It also gets plenty of useful storage spaces inside the cabin and decent rear legroom as well.
What do we like about the MG3 Essence?
It definitely feels like a massive improvement over the old car, with a hugely improved interior and excellent build quality all round. Excellent ride comfort and a good level of standard kit make it an impressively complete package.
What don’t we like about the MG3 Essence?
The abysmal fuel consumption, particularly when compared to the impressively frugal hybrid model.
What kind of person would the MG3 Essence suit?
It's hard to say where the Essence would land best, as it sits in an awkward spot by not being particularly cheap and not being particularly frugal, with both cheaper and more frugal options sitting just either side of it in the model line up - the lower-spec, but considerably more frugal Excite hybrid costs only $2000 more, while the Excite petrol is $2000 less, just above the $25k mark.
