JOHANNESBURG– MG Motor has rolled out its new MG3 hatchback in South Africa, targeting a market where compact SUVs have grown to dominate car sales.
The MG3 has been a strong performer in markets such as Australia and the United Kingdom, but in Southern Africa the story may be different. Local buyers have increasingly shifted towards compact crossovers, leaving hatchbacks to fight for a smaller share of attention.
The new model comes in four variants. Prices start at R269 900 for the 1.5 MT Comfort, R309 900 for the 1.5 CVT Comfort, R344 900 for the 1.5 CVT Luxury and R469 900 for the 1.5 CVT Hybrid. All versions are covered by a seven year or 200 000km warranty and a three year or 45 000km service plan.
On design, the MG3 mirrors some of South Africa’s favourite hatches, borrowing cues from the Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i20 and Ford Fiesta. Inside, the cabin is fitted with a 7 inch driver display, a 10.25 inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push button start, cruise control and a rear view camera. The higher spec models add leather styled seats, a six speaker sound system, rear passenger air vents, a 360 degree camera, adaptive cruise control and advanced safety systems such as Lane Keeping Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Under the bonnet, the MG3 range uses a 1.5 litre four cylinder engine producing 81kW and 142Nm of torque. The CVT version, however, has been criticised for sluggish performance, while the hybrid model impressed with a smoother drive, stronger acceleration and fuel consumption of just 4.4 litres per 100km during tests.
The challenge for MG is pricing. At R469 900, the MG3 Hybrid finds itself competing with established players such as the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV and the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV, both of which are larger SUVs with stronger reputations in the new energy segment. For budget conscious buyers, the jump from the entry level MG3 to the hybrid version may prove difficult to justify.
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