MG3
All generations, specs and history
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By Felix Hartmann, Automotive Technology & EV Contributor
- Built
- 2008–present
- Generations
- 3
- Top power
- 143 kW (194 PS)
Timeline
MG3 generations
Click a generation for its own page
- MG3 MkI 2008–2011 · Hatchback · 76 kW (103 PS)
- MG3 MkII 2011–2024 · Hatchback · 68–82 kW (92–111 PS)
- MG3 III Current 2024–now · Hatchback · 80–143 kW (109–194 PS)
Newest first · 3 generations since 2008
- 2024 III In production 2024–now · Hatchback · 80–143 kW (109–194 PS)
-
2011
- 2008 MkI 2008–2011 · Hatchback · 76 kW (103 PS)
All generations by year: MG3 III (2024–now) · MG3 MkII (2011–2024) · MG3 MkI (2008–2011)
Which one is mine?
Pick the year of first registration to see which generation it is.
Check by VINWhich MG3 to choose
Our verdict · Felix Hartmann
- For the lowest price: the 1.5 with the manual gearbox, €17,990 in Germany (2025).
- For low fuel use and an automatic: the Hybrid+ at €20,990 (2025), with 4.4 l/100 km WLTP and 8.0 seconds to 100 km/h.
- For a cheap used car: a second-generation 1.5 VTi-Tech, keeping in mind its three-star Euro NCAP rating.
The history of MG covers the brand from its British beginnings. Hybrid rivals are compared in the best hybrid cars, and the MG catalogue lists the rest of the range.
The MG3 is MG's supermini, sold in three generations since 2008. The first, the MG3 SW, was a China-only model; the second reached the UK in 2013 and was partly assembled at Longbridge; the third, revealed at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show, is the first MG3 offered as a full hybrid. ADAC's August 2026 list of new cars below €20,000 in Germany includes the MG3 1.5 petrol at €17,990, and the Hybrid+ costs €1,000 more.
In short
- Three generations: MG3 SW (2008, China), MG3 II (2011 in China, 2013 in the UK) and MG3 III (since 2024).
- The Hybrid+ combines a 75 kW (102 PS) 1.5 petrol engine with a 100 kW (136 PS) motor for a system output of 143 kW (194 PS).
- Euro NCAP gave the second generation three stars in 2014; ADAC lists four stars for the third (test September 2025).
- German prices: €17,990 for the 1.5 petrol and €20,990 for the Hybrid+ (ADAC, versions from August 2025).
Size at a glance
| Dimensions | MG3 III |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,113 mm161.9 in |
| Width | 1,797 mm70.7 in |
| Height | 1,502 mm59.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm101.2 in |
| Boot | 293 L10.3 cu ft |
Running cost
Fuel · MG3 1.5 Hybrid+
about 1,150 EUR fuel a year at 15,000 km
4.4 l/100 km · petrol at 1.75 EUR/l · change mileage, fuel price or version
Specs by version
Engines
| Version | Engine | Power | Torque | Gearbox | Drive | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid · 1 version | ||||||
| MG3 III · 1.5 Hybrid+ | 4 cyl · Hybrid | 143 kW 194 PS192 hp | 250 Nm184 lb-ft | 3-sp Automatic | Front-wheel drive | 2024 |
| Petrol · 2 versions | ||||||
| MkII · 1.5 VTi-Tech | 1.5 l · 4 cyl · Petrol 1,498 cc | 78 kW 106 PS105 hp | 137 Nm101 lb-ft | — | Front-wheel drive | 2013 |
| MG3 III · 1.5 | 1.5 l · 4 cyl · Petrol 1,495 cc | 85 kW 116 PS114 hp | 148 Nm109 lb-ft | 5-sp Manual | Front-wheel drive | 2025 |
Performance
Show all 3 versions
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Fuel consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid · 1 version | ||||
| MG3 III · 1.5 Hybrid+ | 8.0 s 0–62 mph | 170 km/h106 mph | 4.4 l/100 km53.5 mpg US · 64.2 mpg UK | 100 g/km |
| Petrol · 2 versions | ||||
| MkII · 1.5 VTi-Tech | — | — | — | 136 g/km |
| MG3 III · 1.5 | 10.8 s 0–62 mph | 185 km/h115 mph | 6.1 l/100 km38.6 mpg US · 46.3 mpg UK | 137 g/km |
Dimensions and weight
Show all 2 versions
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Kerb weight | Boot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid · 1 version | ||||||
| MG3 III · 1.5 Hybrid+ | — | — | — | — | 1,285 kg2,833 lb | 293 l10.3 cu ft |
| Petrol · 1 version | ||||||
| MG3 III · 1.5 | 4,113 mm161.9 in | 1,797 mm70.7 in | 1,502 mm59.1 in | 2,570 mm101.2 in | 1,237 kg2,727 lb | 293 l10.3 cu ft |
Verified Manufacturer and type-approval data from our catalog · Sources and methodology
MG3 at a glance
| Generation | Years | Main engines | Power | Euro NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG3 SW | from 2008 (China) | 1.4 K-Series | 76 kW (103 PS) | — |
| MG3 II | 2011–2024 | 1.3, 1.5 VTi-Tech | 68–82 kW | 3 stars (2014) |
| MG3 III | since 2024 | 1.5 petrol, 1.5 Hybrid+ | 80–143 kW | 4 stars (ADAC, 2025) |
MG3 SW (2008): the first MG3
SAIC began building the MG3 SW in 2008 at its factory in Pukou, Nanjing, and sold it only in China. It used the 1.4-litre K-Series four-cylinder, 1,396 cc, with 76 kW (103 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 123 Nm at 4,500 rpm, and had a quoted top speed of 185 km/h.
MG3 II (2011–2024): from China to Longbridge
The second generation was previewed by the MG Zero concept at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show and went on sale in China in spring 2011. An updated version reached the UK in September 2013; MG assembled it at Longbridge from 2013 to 2016.
| Engine | Power | Torque | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 VTi-Tech | 68 kW (93 PS) | 118 Nm | — |
| 1.5 VTi-Tech (UK) | 78 kW (106 PS) | 137 Nm | 136 g/km |
| 1.5 VTi-Tech EU6 (UK) | 78 kW (106 PS) | 137 Nm | 124 g/km |
| 1.5 VTi-Tech EU6D, 2018 facelift | 78 kW (106 PS) | — | 140 g/km |
| 1.5 automatic, 2018 facelift | 82 kW (111 PS) | 150 Nm | — |
Euro NCAP tested the car in 2014 and gave it three stars, with 69% for adult occupants; the rating was unchanged when Euro NCAP reviewed it in July 2018. The raised MG3 Cross was a crossover-styled version of this generation.
MG3 III (since 2024): the Hybrid+
MG revealed the third generation on 26 February 2024 at the Geneva Motor Show, and European sales began in March 2024. It is offered with a plain 1.5 petrol engine or the Hybrid+ full-hybrid system, the first full hybrid in the MG3's history.
| Version (ADAC, Germany) | Power | Gearbox | 0–100 km/h | WLTP consumption | Kerb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 85 kW (116 PS), 148 Nm | five-speed manual | 10.8 s | 6.1 l/100 km | 1,237 kg |
| 1.5 Hybrid+ | 143 kW (194 PS) system | three-speed automatic | 8.0 s | 4.4 l/100 km | 1,285 kg |
In the Hybrid+ the 1.5 engine provides 75 kW (102 PS) and the electric motor 100 kW (136 PS) and 250 Nm; the NMC battery holds 1.83 kWh at 350 V. ADAC lists 170 km/h and 100 g/km CO₂ for the hybrid. For the 1.5 petrol Wikipedia gives 80 kW (109 PS), while ADAC lists 85 kW (116 PS) for the German version.
| MG3 III dimensions (ADAC) | Value |
|---|---|
| Length / width / height | 4,113 / 1,797 / 1,502 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm |
| Boot | 293 litres, 983 litres with the rear seat folded |
| Braked trailer load | 500 kg |
| Seats | five |
Launch of the third generation by market
| Market | Launch (Wikipedia) |
|---|---|
| Middle East | 26 February 2024 |
| Europe | March 2024 |
| Mexico | 23 May 2024 |
| Philippines | 4 June 2024 |
| Australia | 12 June 2024 |
| Thailand | 16 July 2024 |
| South Africa | 20 August 2025 |
Europe followed the Middle East by a few days. In Australia ANCAP published its own results in 2024, with 72% to 74% for adult occupants depending on the variant.
Hybrid+ or petrol: what the difference means
In ADAC's data the Hybrid+ uses 4.4 l/100 km in the WLTP cycle against 6.1 l/100 km for the 1.5 petrol, a difference of 1.7 litres per 100 km. Over 15,000 km a year that is about 255 litres of petrol less, a figure calculated by 1cars from the WLTP values; real savings depend on the type of driving. The hybrid also reaches 100 km/h 2.8 seconds sooner and has an automatic gearbox, while the petrol car is 48 kg lighter and €3,000 cheaper in Germany (2025).
Safety
Euro NCAP tested the Hybrid in 2025. It scored 74% for adult occupants, 73% for children, 81% for vulnerable road users and 69% for safety assistance; ADAC lists the result as four stars with 74 of 100 points (test date September 2025). The second generation had three stars from its 2014 test.
Prices and warranty in Germany
| Version (ADAC) | List price | On sale |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | €17,990 | from March 2025 (current version from August 2025) |
| 1.5 Comfort | €19,490 | from March 2025 |
| 1.5 Hybrid+ | €20,990 | from August 2025 (€20,640 from May 2024 to July 2025) |
| 1.5 Hybrid+ Comfort | €22,490 | from May 2024 |
| 1.5 Hybrid+ Luxury | €24,990 | from May 2024 |
MG gives seven years or 150,000 km on the car and on the hybrid battery (ADAC). ADAC's August 2026 list of new cars below €20,000 includes the MG3 1.5 at €17,990. ADAC puts the petrol model in German insurance classes 20 (liability), 23 (comprehensive) and 21 (partial cover).
Photo gallery
MG3 evolution in numbers
Did you know?
- The MG3 has been around for 18 years: 3 generations in our catalog since 2008.
- The biggest jump in power came with the MG3 III: up to 143 kW (194 PS), 61 kW more than the MG3 MkII.
Most powerful version, kW
Figures from the 1cars catalog: power is the strongest version of each generation; generations without the figure are left out.
MG3: first vs latest generation
| Spec | MG3 MkI | MG3 III | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | 2008 | 2024–present | 16 years apart |
| Most powerful version | 76 kW (103 PS) | 143 kW (194 PS) | +67 kW (+88%) |
Oldest and newest generation in the 1cars catalog. Power is the strongest version of each; other rows are shown only when both generations have the figure.
MG3 in our rankings
- No. 25 of 256 · Most economical cars (4.4 l/100 km · top 11%)
- No. 62 of 420 · Smallest cars (4,113 mm · top 15%)
- No. 200 of 912 · Longest-running car nameplates (18 years · top 23%)
- No. 73 of 304 · Lightest cars (1,237 kg · top 25%)
- No. 14 of 53 · Power-to-weight: hatchbacks (111 kW/t · top 27%)
- No. 23 of 66 · Widest hatchbacks (1,797 mm · top 35%)
More economical than 89% of ranked cars in the 1CARS catalog (No. 25 of 256).
FAQ
How many generations of the MG3 are there?
Three: the MG3 SW of 2008 (China only), the second generation of 2011 and the third generation of 2024.
How powerful is the MG3 Hybrid+?
143 kW (194 PS) combined, from a 75 kW 1.5 petrol engine and a 100 kW electric motor.
How much does the MG3 cost in Germany?
€17,990 for the 1.5 petrol and €20,990 for the Hybrid+ (ADAC, versions from August 2025).
How safe is the MG3?
ADAC lists four Euro NCAP stars for the third generation (2025); the second generation had three stars in 2014.
Where was the MG3 built?
The first generation was built by SAIC in Pukou, Nanjing; the second was built in China and also assembled at Longbridge in the UK from 2013 to 2016.
Data sources
Data checked by an editor against the sources below.
