Mat’s car of the day: This hybrid hatchback should be near the top of your shortlist
Car changing is a big deal
Mat Watson was really impressed with the MG3 when he reviewed it, and now there are some crazy lease deals which make it even more appealing.
The MG3 is one of my favourite small cars on sale, and right now there are some amazing deals on Carwow which make it an even better buy. I’m going to explain why I like this car so much, walk you through the latest offers and tell you a few things which annoyed me about the MG3 when I reviewed it.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
What do I like about the MG3?
There’s a lot to like about the MG3, but the main plus point for me is the value for money. It starts from just over £17,000, and you can get one for as little as £14,800 through Carwow at the time of writing.
And it’s not like you’ll feel short-changed in terms of equipment either. All cars come with adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital driver’s display and sat nav. For an extra few grand you can get heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system and LED headlights.
There are two engine options on offer. A 1.5-litre petrol model sits at the bottom of the range, but I’d spend an extra £2,000 to get the hybrid. With 194hp on tap it feels properly quick, and it’ll do up to 64mpg according to official tests. I saw closer to 50mpg in the real world, which is still pretty decent.
Out on the road, the MG3 is good fun to drive. The steering is quick and precise, and the suspension does a good job of keeping body roll in check. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it goes around corners, and yet it’s still comfortable enough for everyday driving.
MG3 leasing deals: why this car is now more tempting than ever
The MG3 is already pretty cheap to buy, but I reckon it’s even better-value to lease one.
I found a deal through Carwow on a top-spec hybrid MG3 for just £152 per month. This is over three years with £2,124 up-front, and a mileage limit of 5,000 per year. If you need to go further than this, you can double the limit to 10,000 miles for an extra £21 per month.
By comparison, a hybrid Toyota Yaris will set you back around £275 per month, and a petrol-powered Vauxhall Corsa starts from £166 per month.
What’s not so good about the MG3?
It may be a great small car, but the MG3 isn’t perfect. The interior does feel really cheap in places, such as the centre console where you’ll find a really flimsy cover on the cupholders. It’s easy to forgive on a car this affordable, but a Renault Clio does feel posher inside.
MG also ranked stone-dead last in the 2025 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, so if you’re after something reliable then a Toyota Yaris is definitely worth a look. A Peugeot 208 is also a good choice if you want something a bit more stylish than the plain-Jane MG.
But aside from these drawbacks, the MG3 is a great-value small car which I highly recommend.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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