Yes, MG3 Hybrid (2024) is cheaper than Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio

When you say hybrid, you say Toyota. But now MG has launched the MG3 Hybrid, a competitor to the Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio. Pros: it’s faster and more powerful. Disadvantages: it is less clean and less economical. Still, the chance of success is high as MG keeps the price low.

Toyota has been preaching the hybrid gospel for years. They were alone for a long time, especially with small models. In 2020, Renault also committed to this with great dedication and launched the Clio Hybrid. Now Yaris and Clio are getting competition from China. The MG3 Hybrid will not only be faster, but also cheaper.

The MG3 Hybrid has an electric motor that produces 136 hp. In fact, on this engine, the MG can drive electrically up to a speed of 80 km / h. Together, the electric motor and the 1.5 liter petrol engine produce 192 hp. Compared to this, Renault Clio (145 hp) and Toyota Yaris (115 or 130 hp) are left behind. Running from 0 to 100 km/h is a piece of cake for the MG3; it completes the task within 8 seconds.

A hint

MG3 with three-speed automatic transmission

It’s really surprising: the MG3 gets an automatic transmission with only three gears. That sounds old-fashioned, but MG swears that the gearbox shifts smoothly and cleanly. It looks like a mockery of the trendy CVT transmission that Toyota always uses for its hybrid models. Renault Clio has a complicated transmission with eight gears, which often fight.

Consumption of the MG3 is 4.4 l/100 km (1 in 22.7). Quite economical, but Toyota Yaris he is still lord and master. The more powerful Yaris Hybrid 130 consumes 4.2 l/100 km (1 in 23.8), while the 115 hp Yaris Hybrid is even satisfied with 3.8 l/100 km (1 in 26.3). The Clio hybrid is also slightly more economical than the MG (4.3 l/100 km; 1 in 23.2).

New technology

Like the larger electric MG4, the MG3 will be available in three versions: Standard, Comfort and Luxury. The dashboard is dominated by a 10.25-inch touchscreen, but below it there are also real buttons for the most important functions. Air conditioning, a navigation system, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard.

Safety systems such as lane keeping assistant, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and traffic queue assistant are also available on every MG3 Hybrid.

Price MG3 Hybrid: from 22,769 euros

MG saw the prices of Toyota Yaris 1.5 Hybrid and Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid 145 and thought: this must be cheap. Both models start at 26 grand and the MG3 Hybrid dips down to a base price of 22,769 euros.

MG3 Hybrid Editions

Standard – 22.769 euros
Comfort – 24.269 euros
Luxury – 25.769 euros

You can upgrade from Standard to Comfort (+1500 euros) with 16-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, rain sensor and push button start.

For another 1,500 euros extra, you jump from Comfort to Luxury and get heated seats and a steering wheel, powerful LED lights, blind spot warning and a 360-degree camera.

The first boatload of MG3s arrives in early May and a few weeks later the cars are at the dealership. MG offers a warranty of 7 years or 150,000 km.