2018 MG 3 preview drive
- Improved styling
- Sporty interior upgrade
- Modern connectivity
- Sluggish performance
- Outdated four-speed auto
- Lacks safety credentials
MG is a name you probably well know and one that you’ll start to see a lot more of soon.
Now owned by Chinese automotive giant SAIC, the almost 100-year old British brand is in a state of flux as not only its model line-up changes from compact cars to SUVs - and eventually back to sports cars again - but so is its design and technology on the move.
On the cusp of that transition is the facelifted MG 3: it gets a nicer face, brand new interior and slightly tweaked engine, but technology is less of a leap forward.
Most of the changes go towards making the 3 a better looking and more popular car as for the first time it now comes with an automatic transmission and could inject further momentum into the brand's upward trajectory.
The old model was just that – a dated interior with poor ergonomics and a boring exterior, and the manual-only transmission tainted the cheap runabout with the sort of expectations most have in their minds about what a fledgling Chinese car brand might look like.
Although this new model due in August isn’t the significant step forward the brand’s X-Motion SUV next year will likely be, it will add competition to the entry-level compact hatchback segment if the price is right.
MG isn’t saying where it will sit – the previous model was priced from $13,990 with a manual – but has hinted that it’s closely watching the Suzuki Swift line-up with its new entry point GL Navigator models priced from $16,990 plus on-road costs.
Unlike the Suzuki, the MG doesn’t have a five-star ANCAP rating and doesn’t offer automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control and lane keeping assist which is surely its sorest spot in a competitive market for first time buyers.
Instead, the three-star ANCAP rated car offers a basic setup with six airbags and the mandatory ABS and stability control.
But elsewhere this model has had a major nip and tuck.
The exterior gets a European-inspired design feel and additions such as new 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, reversing camera, parking sensors, sunroof, automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel, 8.0-inch infotainment system with smart phone connectivity and cruise control are all standard.
Adding faith to the brand, it also comes with a Kia-equalling and market-leading seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
The final adjustment is that inside has been stripped out and replaced with an all-new cabin that’s a big step up from before.
The design is interesting and incorporates nicer elements with black and red highlights for a sporty undertone.
In the dash is an 8.0-inch centrally mounted infotainment system that didn’t exist before and adds mobile phone connectivity. Underneath it are basic controls for automatic air conditioning climate control and a slot for the new four-speed automatic transmission.
Items like the driver’s cluster are updated but basic and same goes for the doors which are large plastics panels thankfully decorated with simple patterns.
The seats get a good upgrade with some bolstering and a nicer fabric finish and remain manually adjustable. Both front and rear seat leg room is good for a hatchback, if not better than most, though the highly improved steering wheel that feels nice in the hands and to look at has only tilt and not reach adjustment.
The boot remains the same 256 litres and sits in the middle ground of the small hatchback segment.
Our test drive was confined within the walls of Shanghai’s Tianma Circuit, but basic agility was good and response of the updated engine and transmission are slightly improved, though nothing groundbreaking.
The old 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol motor produced 78kW and 137Nm while the updated version produces 88kW and 150Nm. A reasonable 10kW and 13Nm increase, that output is offset by having to slug through a four-speed automatic transmission.
It hasn’t got enough gears to ever feel urgent and takes a while to ring out when pushed, so the MG 3 remains a basic urban commuter and sedate car. Acceleration is particularly slow lower in the rev range and takes some pushing to move along with pace – the manual might have felt spritelier, but it has been cancelled for the Australian market.
The engine is otherwise smooth and the automatic shifts gears confidently, and we were able to get up to some decent speed around the short twisting track. On the practical side of things MG says the 3 will return a combined fuel consumption of 5.9l/100km – up 0.1-litre on the old manual model.
The chassis underneath is solid and responds to directional changes well but the suspension – though hard to gauge thoroughly on this test - could feel a touch unsettled on our rough roads. We’ll wait until a local drive to judge ride and comfort.
Supported by front disc and rear drum brakes the left pedal isn’t very sharp to bite but the brakes had plenty of stopping power left after a day hauling around a track. The hydraulic steering, while slightly firm, was honest and accurate and lightens up with some momentum.
Important in its market is the addition of a reversing camera on top of the parking sensors so getting into tight spaces will be easier, though it doesn’t have any newer features such as automatic parking assist, AEB or lane departure warning.
For first time car buyers the new MG 3 is without doubt a better proposition than before - if not for its younger and more modern appearance then certainly for its updated connectivity, better gear and automatic transmission.
But as far as having selling features that tick some of the boxes, its ANCAP rating and standard safety features remain under par, and the driveline, though adequate, needs further improvement.
2018 MG3 Price and Specifications
Price: $16,500 (estimated)
On-sale: August 2018
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 88kW
Torque: 150Nm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 5.9L/100km