MG3 launched to press at Bognor Regis 3/9/2013

Is it an MG?
Simply put, yes.
It’s fun, affordable and that little bit different.

The clocks are clear and easy to understand as are the controls for heating and ventilation. A central storage bin on the dash-top (complete with embossed MG logo) houses the auxiliary audio point and a USB socket.

The cabin quality does leave a bit to be desired though, with hard scratchy plastics and a fair amount of outdated switchgear.

inside, the fixtures and surfaces feel solid and durable. The leather-rimmed steering wheel and gearknob feel right, while ancillary controls such as the column stalks, ICE and air conditioning controls all feel good - banishing memories of some of the MG6's more iffy details. The dashboard and door plastics aren't soft-feel, but equally, they're well within expectations at this price point. The climate control and stereo are also simple and logical to use, and visually appealing.

Sitting on top of the dash is a useful cubby hole with roller-shutter lid, and below that are the radio and heater controls. There’s a further storage bin ahead of the gear lever, plus a single cupholder behind the handbrake. Yes, it’s all finished in hard plastics, but it looks modern and smart, the fit is good and there were no squeaks or rattles to be heard.

The leather-rimmed steering wheel and gearknob feel right, while ancillary controls such as the column stalks, ICE and air conditioning controls have good tactility – banishing memories of some of the MG6′s more iffy details.

Interior is functional, but with a welcome splash of colour.
Nice touches on our top of the line 3Style are the fingertip controls on the steering wheel, which operate the audio and cruise control’s features, while special mention should be made for the dash-top storage area, which is doubly useful for having a retractable blind to cover it, and integrated mounting point for your smartphone or satnav (and which worked really well with the iPhone’s in-built sat-nav). And for a little bit of heritage, there’s a rubber non-slip mat that Rover 200/400/800 owners are all too familiar with.

The dashboard is a marked step up in design over that in the bigger MG6, looking integrated and well thought out. There is a stylish stereo unit, with DAB radio as standard, and for £30 you can add a neat phone accessory for the dashboard top.

The interior is smart, with two chequered main instrument dials in front of the driver and a clean and refreshingly uncomplicated centre console.

I pop into the evening's hotel to drop some bags off, and a decorator at work next to the lift pipes up. "You with the MG lot?" he says, and I reply with a brief explanation in the affirmative. "Nice little cars aren't they," he states matter-of-factly before turning back to the wall he's painting fuchsia. He's right - the MG3 really is a good-looking hatch.

As far as cheap motoring goes, the MG3 is right up there with the best that Dacia can offer. It drives well, it's got all the kit you'd want, it makes sense.
But that engine is a real deal-breaker It strangles what's otherwise a perfectly acceptable supermini.

* No, “modest surprise and delight calibre” is not autotranslate from the Chinese...

Dorset Rocket wrote:I see that Autocar are putting the 3 up against the DS3 and Fiat 500 in a group test next week. Not sure 'modest surprise and delight calibre' will be enough to beat those two but I do hope it at least helps put the MG in a strong and not a distant third position..

Morris Motors wrote:Something occurs to me - I read those reviews which are a bit light on enthusiasm - a sudden chill comes over me when I recall thinking MG might try and flog these for £12-15k..

*shudder*