In recent years there has been a big push towards SUVs whether in petrol, diesel, hybrid or full electric mode. But young people, planning to buy their first car are unlikely to opt for an SUV. They will be thinking of something small which they will be comfortable driving.
The Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris, Opel Corsa, Renault Clio are all very popular small cars, but Ford are discontinuing their Fiesta, which was a very popular car, especially with the female market. So young people checking out what’s available in the small car market right might consider the MG3.
It’s relatively small four-door car with prices starting at €22,995 for the entry-level Essence trim. It’s a Hybrid, which is good news straight away. Sales of electric cars have been dropping every month this year and most people agree that the big push to electric cars is not going to happen in Ireland for a few years, so hybrid is an inexpensive way to go.
My test car, which was the top of the range Exclusive trim was showing a range of over 750km with a full tank of petrol. With most cars you get a gauge telling you when your tank is half empty or a quarter empty etc. But with the MG3 you just have to keep your eye on the dash and it will tell you what range you have available, a bit like an electric car.
As mentioned earlier, prices start at €22,995 for the entry-level Essence trim. The Excite trim starts at €24,745 and the Exclusive trim will cost you €26,745. The same rule applies with most manufacturers, the more money you want to spend the more goodies you will get in the car, e.g. privacy glass, heated seats, fancy alloys etc. Road tax is €170.
Everybody like some goodies, but a first time driver who might want to keep the price down, will ‘survive’ in the basic model.
Externally it’s a neat looking car. I drove a grey version, but I think the blue version is probably more attractive. Inside, all versions get a 10.25-inch touchscreen. There are buttons underneath the screen for air con and I loved the slave control on the steering wheel for radio volume and changing stations.
The interior is a bit too dark for my liking; the only touch of colour inside the car is amber stitching on the seats. There is room for three adults at a squeeze in the back seat, two adults would probably be more comfortable. Leg room is a bit tight in the back seat which does not split into two when folding down, to reveal a decent boot size of 293 litres. No spare wheel.
The car has a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a small 1.83kWh battery that allows the car to run on electric power in slow moving traffic, boosting efficiency in urban driving. The official consumption figure is 4.4 litres per 100km.
You have plenty power with 194 horses working under the bonnet to get you from zero to 100km/h in eight seconds, if it’s speed you are after. My only criticism is was that there was a bit of road noise, but to be fair the previous car I drove was a very quiet fully electric one, so maybe that influenced my thinking.
If you have a young person in your house who is saving money or taking out a loan to buy their first car, check out the MG3. MG Ireland are also offering a €500 prepaid digital credit card with every purchase of an MG hybrid model ordered before December 31st.
