The first-generation MG 3 was a polarising car – it was dirt cheap and sold like hotcakes, but many bemoaned its lack of polish.

It’s apparent the Chinese carmaker listened to that feedback, because the new MG 3 is a far better car with an inflated price tag to much.

In fact, the asking price has shifted so far north that the new MG 3 only just sneaks in under $30,000 before on-roads, putting it squarely in Toyota Yaris territory.

The Yaris is a familiar face in the cheap car crowd, with a history dating back to the turn of the millenium.

In it’s current form the Yaris is a slightly dearer, older alternative to the MG 3 with classic small car characteristics and a trusted badge.

But if you strip the Toyota branding away, does the Yaris still hold up when compared to its recently overhauled rival?

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris

Pricing

Both model ranges comprise several variants, with the Yaris Hybrid priced higher across the board.

The base Yaris Ascent Sport Hybrid ($28,500 before on-roads) slots in between the entry-level MG 3 Excite Hybrid ($27,990 before on-roads) and the flagship MG 3 Essence Hybrid ($29,990 before on-roads).

The mid-spec Yaris SX Hybrid is another step up at $31,960 plus on-road costs, while the ZR Hybrid commands a further $2570 premium.

Model Price range before on-roads
MG 3 Hybrid $27,990-$29,990
Toyota Yaris Hybrid $28,600-$34,530

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris

Drivetrains and Efficiency

These two hybrid hatches offer very distinct powertrains, with each serving a different buyer.

On one hand, the new MG 3 Hybrid+ has one extra cylinder, an additional 70kW of power and a superior 0-100km/h sprint of 8.0 seconds. In other words, it’s got more grunt.

On the other hand, the Yaris Hybrid is lighter, more fuel efficient and will happily run on cheaper 91 RON. It’s the frugal choice.

Specifications MG 3 Hybrid+ Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Engine 1.5L 4cyl hybrid 1.5L 3cyl hybrid
System power 155kW 85kW
System torque 250Nm N/A
Transmission 3-speed automatic CVT
Driven wheels Front-wheel drive Front-wheel drive
Kerb weight 1298kg-1308kg 1130kg
Fuel economy (claim) 4.3L/100km 3.3L/100km
CO2 emissions 100g/km 76g/km
Fuel tank size 36L 36L
Fuel requirement 95 RON 91 RON

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris

Dimensions

The new MG 3 Hybrid+ is larger than the Yaris Hybrid across every dimension, but it’s by no means a big car.

Upsized exterior dimensions are reflected by the boot space battle, which MG also wins – the MG 3 has 293L of cargo capacity, compared to 270L in the Yaris.

Dimensions MG 3 Hybrid+ Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Length 4113mm 3950mm
Width 1797mm 1695mm
Height 1502mm 1495mm
Wheelbase 2570mm 2550mm
Boot capacity 293L 270L

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris

Servicing and Warranty

MG Australia offers the longest warranty in Australia – 10 years and 250,000km of coverage across its model range, including the new MG 3.

The high-voltage battery system is covered for the same period, and all versions get a seven-year roadside assistance plan included.

The brand has a capped-price servicing plan on offer for seven years, too. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km for hybrid variants.

Toyota on the other hand backs its range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The warranty can be extended to seven years on the powertrain and up to 10 years for the hybrid battery if you service within the dealer network. Roadside assistance is a paid option that costs $99 per year.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.

Service Interval Yaris Hybrid MG 3 Hybrid+
1 year $245 $234
2 years $245 $348
3 years $245 $340
4 years $245 $627
5 years $245 $491
Total $1225 $2040

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris

Safety

The previous-generation MG 3 offered the bare minimum from a safety perspective, but the new model brings a lot more to the table.

Although the MG 3 Hybrid has not yet been been assessed by ANCAP, it comes with a comprehensive set of safety features including six airbags, adaptive cruise control with a lane centring function, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a reversing camera.

The Yaris on the other hand is a more proven product on this front – it wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on Euro NCAP tests conducted in 2020.

Having said that, only the top-spec ZR comes standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which are both equipped to even the base MG 3.

Both cars are similarly equipped otherwise, although the Yaris Hybrid has two extra airbags.

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris

Standard Equipment

Specification differences between the MG 3 Hybrid and Yaris Hybrid are entirely variant dependant.

The base MG 3 Hybrid comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, wired smartphone mirroring, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster system, and halogen headlights.

Toyota’s base offering – the Ascent Sport – gets 15-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, a 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, and halogen headlights.

At the top end of the range, the MG 3 Essence gains LED headlights, a sunroof, fake leather trim, a leather steering wheel, satellite navigation, and a surround-view camera.

The upper-spec Yaris Hybrid variants gains 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, satellite navigation, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, soft-touch trim, leather-accented steering wheel, and a head-up display.

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris

CarExpert’s Pick

James Wong: The two cars here are the cheapest full hybrids you can buy in Australia, and both offer plenty of metal for the money.

The Yaris is the efficiency short king and goes big on safety, whilst also wearing Toyota’s reputation for dependability and offering cheap yearly servicing.

Meanwhile, the MG arguably looks and feels newer, and is more premium in many ways. MG’s longer warranty also gives peace of mind. The extra grunt comes at the cost of fuel efficiency though.

If you want the most efficient running costs in your urban runabout, I’d go with the Yaris.

If you want the most bang for your buck however, you can have the top-spec MG 3 Hybrid+ Essence for about the same money as a base Yaris Hybrid.

Interested in buying a MG 3 or a Toyota Yaris? Get in touch with a dealer by clicking the links.

MORE: Everything MG 3 • Toyota Yaris





Source link