MOTORING REVIEW: MG 3 Hybrid+ is stylish and economical

ORIGINALLY a British sports car manufacturer, the MG brand has been controlled by Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor since 2007 and is currently the biggest-selling Chinese brand in Europe. This growth is part of the company’s commitment to electrification. 

In Ireland, the franchise is part of the Frank Keane operation. The MG range here includes the HS Plug-in Hybrid, MG3 Hybrid+ (my review car), and MG ZS Hybrid+. Granted, the model names are a big confusing.

My most recent test car from the brand was the sporty MG3 Hybrid+  which arrived here in time for the 242 plate change. It's the first pure hybrid MG model to be launched. MG people say the car will ‘Recharge Your Soul’ with its dynamic performance and sustainable mobility solutions. It certainly impressed me in many ways and I believe it would be a good choice for drivers not yet ready to switch to full electric. 

The car looks agile and athletic from every angle. The body is beautifully crafted and proportioned, reflecting the brand’s legendary sports cars ethos. Key front features are the headlamps with integrated low and high beams offering 11 powerful LEDs between them and incorporating the daytime running light as the ‘brow’ of what the brand calls the Hunting Eye. 

The spacious interior is very nicely styled with a minimalistic, user-friendly layout that focuses on simplicity, technology, and on quality but with enough buttons to keep me happy. Due to the vehicle’s low height, my tall front passenger found it quite difficult to gain access with a fair bit of manoeuvring involved. But once comfortably in situ, you immediately feel at home in the car with the all-black interior adding to the sporty sense as do the black MG floor mats edged in red. 

The 10.25-inch floating central screen is quite narrow which suits the dash layout. The screen includes four smaller screens for key features such Apps, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate and fan controls and all are easy to adjust with plus and minus options while on the move. The third section is radio stations and the fourth is for Navigation. Along the right side are controls for Home, Radio, Phone and Settings which gives a choice of Low, Medium or High energy regeneration. 

The configurable digital cluster features a 7-inch LCD screen with your current speed shown digitally as well as all other necessary data. Side mirror controls are on the driver’s side of the lower dash and I always appreciate blind spot monitors. 

Located on the sloping central console are the circular gear shifter, electric parking brake and button for drive modes of Eco, Normal and Sport. There are two USBs and a power socket and you’ll discover 25 storage spaces throughout the cabin including two open cubbies on the centre console, a good glovebox and very good front door bins. 

Stylish and comfy seats have manual adjustments and can be heated, with the latter managed via the main screen. Three adults will fit at a push in the rear with decent enough head and legroom - the latter if not seated behind a tall person in front. The middle seat back doesn’t come down so there are no rear cupholders. The tunnel is quite low so shouldn’t interfere with foot space. MG has provided a USB here for charging a device.

Boot capacity is from 241 litres to 983 litres with all seats upright. 

Three trim levels are Essence, Excite and Exclusive. The entry level is well specced offering very good value for money while the mid spec adds enhanced comfort and convenience features. The Exclusive model delivers on luxury and advanced technologies. 

You can park the car easily into a tight space with the 360deg camera, available on the Exclusive trim. Turning circle is just 10.5m.

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The Hybrid+ features include a drive and charge system that allows the petrol engine to drive the wheels while also charging the battery through the generator. The powertrain combines a 4-cylinder 1.5 petrol engine outputting 102hp with a 136hp electric motor. 

The quick-response motor, powerful engine, and high-capacity battery can take you from 0 to 100km/h in just 8 seconds. Now you can see why I enjoyed my days with this car! 

The claimed return is a really frugal 4.4 L/100kms (64.2mpg). My consumption was 5.5 L/100kms, still a really excellent return. 

The car has a 500kg towing capacity. MG offer a 7 years/150,000km warranty with the MG3 Hybrid+.

Priced from €22,995 for the Essence to €26,745 for the top grade Exclusive.