MG 3 Cross

MG3 Cross at a glance

The idea behind the MG3 Cross goes back to the Rover Streetwise of 2003, a small hatchback with tougher-looking body trim and raised suspension. After MG Rover collapsed in 2005, Nanjing Automobile and later SAIC, the new owners of the MG brand, continued the theme with the MG3 SW, sold in China from 2008. When the all-new second-generation MG3 arrived in 2011, the crossover-styled version followed as the MG3 Xross, known in some export material as the MG3 Cross.

The new MG3 was developed in the UK and first built in China. It sits on a platform with a 2.5-metre wheelbase, MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam rear axle. The Xross adds black wheel-arch extensions, side mouldings, roof rails and a higher ride height, aimed at young city drivers rather than off-road use.

1.5 VTi-Tech engine and gearboxes

The MG3 Xross was offered only with the larger of the two MG3 engines, a 1,498 cc four-cylinder with variable valve timing. Wikipedia lists 80 kW (107 bhp) for the launch versions sold in China, while the UK MG3 hatchback of 2013 was rated at 78 kW (106 PS); the old 1cars data quoted 135 Nm at 4,500 rpm. That puts the Cross 21st in the 1cars most powerful hatchbacks ranking, a modest place that fits its city-car role.

Buyers could choose a five-speed manual or the "e-shift" automated manual gearbox, designed in Italy. The automated version spares the driver the clutch but changes gear more slowly than a conventional automatic, so the manual remains the more pleasant choice for most drivers. The 1.3-litre engine of the standard MG3 hatchback was not offered in the Cross.

Ride height, cabin and practicality

With 164 mm of ground clearance, the Cross clears kerbs, speed bumps and rough parking areas more easily than a normal supermini. The suspension is otherwise the same as the hatchback's, and there is no four-wheel-drive option, so "Cross" refers to the style rather than off-road ability.

Inside, the cabin has a high seating position and good visibility. The driver's seat offers a wide range of adjustment, and MG pointed to more than 20 storage places for small items such as phones, glasses and maps. Rear space is typical of a supermini, with room for two adults or three children. For a size comparison with other small cars, use the 1cars size comparison tool.

Fuel economy and running costs

The quoted figures for the MG3 Cross are about 7.6 l/100 km in town, 5.5 l/100 km on the open road and 6.1 l/100 km combined. That is reasonable for a raised 1.5-litre petrol supermini of 2011 and places it tenth in the 1cars most economical cars ranking. The engine is simple, uses regular petrol and shares parts with the MG3 hatchback, which helps keep servicing straightforward where MG has a dealer network.

Safety equipment and crash tests

The Cross itself was not crash-tested by Euro NCAP. Its basis, the MG3 hatchback, was tested in 2014 and received three stars out of five, with 69% for adult occupant protection; the rating stayed at three stars after a review of the facelifted car in July 2018. Standard equipment on the Cross included anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist and front airbags for the driver and passenger.

The MG3 family after the Cross

The second-generation MG3 had a long life. It reached the UK in September 2013, with final assembly at Longbridge from 2013 to 2016, and was updated in 2016 and facelifted in 2018. The third-generation MG3, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on 26 February 2024, moved to a Hybrid+ powertrain with 143 kW combined, and European sales began in March 2024.

Rivals: how the MG3 Cross compares

In China the MG3 Cross competed with small hatchbacks such as the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit (Jazz) and Volkswagen Polo, and with raised superminis that offered a similar look. Against these rivals the MG offered a distinctive style and a reasonable price, but it lacked their brand image, and the related hatchback's three-star Euro NCAP result showed a gap in safety. Other MG models are in the MG catalogue, and you can compare the Cross with other small cars in the 1cars comparison tool.