Jumping into the MG3 Hybrid Excite is like meeting someone at a party—you either hit it off instantly or you don’t. Fortunately, this little hybrid makes a great first impression, especially for city drivers looking for a small, budget-friendly ride with a playful touch. Let’s dive into what makes this car click and where it could use some work!
First Impressions: Looks and Feel
The MG3 Hybrid Excite greets you with a quirky charm. The steering wheel gives a nod to MG’s sporty heritage, even if it’s a bit budget in feel. The cloth seats, while not luxurious, are surprisingly comfy for everyday driving. They won’t win any awards for plushness, but they do the job just fine. The instrument cluster is simple and functional, offering clear info without taking up too much dashboard real estate.
The Likes
- Driving Dynamics: This little hatchback is an absolute joy around town. Its handling is responsive, making it easy to weave through traffic or navigate tight parking spots. The MG3’s compact size makes it ideal for urban environments, handling bumps and potholes without much fuss.
- Automatic Handbrake & Folding Mirrors: The automatic handbrake engages as soon as you park, and the side mirrors fold in when you lock the car—small touches, but they make city driving a breeze.
- Hybrid Powertrain: The MG3’s hybrid system transitions smoothly between petrol and electric modes. The shifts are nearly imperceptible, which is exactly what you want from a hybrid. It may not be the most advanced system, but it’s consistent, smooth, and delivers solid real-world fuel economy.
- Infotainment System: The touch screen may not have all the latest bells and whistles, but it’s straightforward enough. While you won’t get DAB radio in the Excite model, Apple CarPlay compatibility adds a bit of modernity, making it a great companion for music and navigation.
- Centre Console Design: It’s surprisingly spacious for such a small car. You can stash essentials like your sunglasses, a small packet of tissues, and hand sanitiser if you still carry it. There’s a great spot for your phone even though the Excite lacks wireless charging.
The Dislikes
- Too Much Hard Plastic: The MG3 makes liberal use of hard plastics, which is expected at this price point but doesn’t exactly scream luxury. It’s practical, yes, but not the most pleasant to the touch.
- Touch Screen Controls: While the infotainment system is generally easy to use, it’s overly reliant on touch-based controls. For example, changing the air to recycled mode involves digging through menus, which isn’t ideal when driving through a tunnel or in heavy traffic.
- Lack of Keyless Entry: No keyless entry means you’ll have to pull out the key fob every time, which feels a bit dated. It’s one of those features that’s sorely missed, even on a budget-friendly car.
- Gear Selector: The rotary dial-style gear selector feels less intuitive compared to the classic T-bar style. It’s a minor gripe, but one that some drivers might find off-putting.
Specs & Fuel Economy
The MG3 Hybrid Excite comes with a 1.8-kilowatt-hour battery paired with a 75-kilowatt petrol engine and a 100-kilowatt electric motor. This combination provides a class-leading powertrain for a car of this size. The advertised fuel economy is 4.3 L/100 km, which is decent for urban commutes, though real-world driving averaged closer to 6 L/100 km, likely due to the city-centric nature of my test drive.
Driving Dynamics
The MG3 Hybrid is fun to drive. It feels light on its feet and zips through city streets with minimal effort. The steering is precise, though it could use a bit more feedback for those who enjoy spirited driving. It handles corners confidently, making it a solid choice for navigating through tight spots or crowded streets. It’s also surprisingly good at soaking up bumps, delivering a fairly comfortable ride over less-than-perfect roads.
The hybrid system’s smooth transitions between electric and petrol modes make for a seamless driving experience. It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s got enough grunt for everyday driving. Acceleration is modest, making it clear that the MG3’s strengths lie in economy and manoeuvrability rather than outright performance.
Safety & ANCAP Rating
The MG3 Hybrid only scored a three-star ANCAP safety rating under the current protocols, falling short of the newer, stricter standards. It lacks some of the advanced driver assistance features found in higher-end cars, which contributes to its lower score. However, MG never marketed this as a five-star car, and the brand has been upfront about focusing on affordability over maxing out ANCAP ratings.
For fleet managers, it’s worth considering the new ANCAP protocols when comparing ratings. A three-star score in 2024 is different from a five-star rating achieved under older, less demanding protocols, like those applied to the Toyota Corolla Hybrid in 2018. This distinction could be a crucial factor for fleet decisions.
Value for Money
With a drive-away price of around $32,000 for the Excite model and $34,000 for the higher-spec Essence variant, the MG3 Hybrid is one of the more affordable hybrid hatchbacks on the market. While the Essence model offers a few more premium features—such as a leather steering wheel, keyless entry, and a sunroof—the Excite still offers a compelling package for the price.
The Final Verdict
What’s Great:
- Affordable hybrid tech
- Smooth handling and driving dynamics
- Good storage solutions for a small car
What Could Be Better:
- Overreliance on touch controls
- Lack of keyless entry
- Just three ANCAP stars
The MG3 Hybrid Excite is a no-frills, budget-friendly hybrid that’s well-suited for city driving. It might not have all the bells and whistles, but it does offer a cheerful, practical driving experience for those who want a fuel-efficient runabout. It’s not perfect, but it delivers plenty of fun for the price. If you’re looking for an affordable hybrid hatch with decent features and a splash of MG’s sporty heritage, the MG3 Excite is worth a test drive.
