My new MG3 Hybrid

[Deleted member 18108]

I'm considering buying MG 3+ Hybrid and it will be my first hybrid car. Can someone please comment how the electric battery chargers itself, i.e. do I need to do a certain amount of miles each day to avoid the battery to go flat one day? My friend has a Toyota Yaris and has found on a couple of occasions that the battery has gone flat and the car wouldn't start. The sales guy I spoke to didn't seem to confident on that matter!

The issue with the Yaris is with the auxiliary battery, which AFAIK is smaller than in the MG3 hybrid. Even then, Toyota advise owners to turn on the ignition periodically when the car is not been driven for a while. This charges up the auxiliary battery. The MG3 is too new, to know if similar niggles will arise, but if they do, they are easily solved.

 

[HannahB]

Thank you for taking time to respond!
Mg3 hybrid looks like a much better car?

 

[DaveIJ]

I took delivery of a new MG3 Hybrid Trophy in Battersea blue on Friday last week 3rd May.
This is my daily runabout and replaced a 3dr DS3 which I had from new for just over six years.
I have to say how impressed I am with the car, particularly from the value for money perspective. Compared to a similarly equipped European super mini it’s some five thousand pounds cheaper, and yet it drives and is as well built as any of its mainstream rivals.
The economy is a particularly strong point, with an average over a couple of hundred miles well into the mid 50s mpg, and on one trip where I was able to make most use of the hybrid benefits over 70mpg was showing! It’s so far proving a lot more efficient than my DS3 which used the Stellantis 1.2 litre 3 cylinder turbo engine coupled to an auto box. That averaged low 30s, but it has to be said in order to achieve these figures on the MG, you have to be covering a journey long enough to allow for some driving in EV mode.
The other stand out feature is the lane assist and adaptive cruise control. I have on my other car - a Genesis Electrified G80, similar technology albeit a little more advanced- it’s described as autonomous level 2.5 as it adds auto lane change, and amongst its other features will park itself WHEN YOU'RE OUTSIDE THE CAR, however it takes its time and your often quicker doing it yourself, that aside being a lazy driver I found it a brilliant benefit to take the effort out of driving. The system on the MG3 has the same basic functionality, and over the last few days I’ve been making use of it as much as possible. Unlike the Genesis which is over five metres long, and far from practical around town (it’s like manoeuvring an Ocean liner!) the compact dimensions of the MG as with my previous DS3, make it perfect for short journeys, and the MG Pilot just adds to the ease.
The only issue, which I discovered today, are some marks (possibly adhesive) on the rubber trim located at the base of the rear drivers side door window.
It will be interesting trying out MG aftersales service in this respect!

I got mine this week pearl black trophy. I have to say other than the App I’m impressed so far

 

[Deleted member 18108]

Hi,

What issues are you having with the App?

 

[DaveIJ]

well it’s telling me the nearest toilet and parking are in China. It’s just a bit basic
?

 

[Deleted member 18108]

Probably meant the Jade Garden.

 

[DaveIJ]

It’s sorted it’s self out now we’ll expect the toilets ??? nearest one is 597 miles away

 

[Andy Brooks]

It’s sorted it’s self out now we’ll expect the toilets ??? nearest one is 597 miles away

I found the app a bit rubbish but the fact that the car comes with an app for this price is still crazy to me. I have used the unlocking feature with my phone at least 5 times and only owned the car about 2 months

 

[DaveIJ]

Well I have had mine a week and I must say the value for Money is amazing I like the drive and the size as I’m 6'3" and use this as mainly to get to the train station and a second car run around. It has so far exceeded my expectations.

 

[glend14]

I have had my MG3 Hybrid for a couple of weeks,and having driven Yaris Hybrid i can confirm that the MG3 Hybrid is substantially better. The comments in this thread, concerning the battery are ill informed. The battery is recharged by the engine as required. Much of my local area driving is done on battery alone. There are a few factors that determine how the car performs, it is suppose to learn from your style. If you have a heavy foot yeah you will see more engine dependence, but drive easy and it favours the battery. Use the power diagram to show you the energy flow and the engine rpm. I have seen battery only power at 80kmph. Just learn how to drive it. It's a great little car, and faster than my Alfa.

 

[MG Clive]

well it’s telling me the nearest toilet and parking are in China. It’s just a bit basic
?

It’s sorted it’s self out now we’ll expect the toilets ??? nearest one is 597 miles away

It certainly has a problem with toilets, although mine is better than yours @DaveIJ, at least I only have to drive 124.3 miles to Birmingham.

 

[DaveIJ]

Mine sorted itself after a few days ?

 

[glend14]

Regarding floor mats. The old MG3 floor mats are not correct for the new 2024 Hybrid. And no dealer in Australia has them. You can buy them from the UK dealers but expect to pay a ridiculous amount. My solution was to simply buy a couple of black carpet tiles from Bunnings and cut them to fit. Works great for now.

Regarding MG3 Hybrid availability, there are none, according to two dealerships I have asked. So I got mine, back in early July, by buying a demonstrator (with only 200kms on it) I was told that dealers had an initial small allocation, but there was no stock anywhere in Australia. Of you wanted to order one, it would come in the next shipment, which could be 15 weeks out. I would be interested in hearing what others have found in this regard. If you look at MG Australia website, all the content is about the old MG3 runout sale, and nothing about the new hybrid. What are you hearing? Did MG under estimate demand, or just was not given enough allocation. The car is a big seller in the UK.

 

[Orls]

Please, a light on the path, timing belt or chain?

 

[Deleted member 18108]

Timing chain

 

[Italy]

Very good explanation MG Clive!

Do you think that most MG3 hybrids start with the conventional internal combustion engine, or in summer can they start directly in electric mode without going through the combustion phase?

 

[MG Clive]

Very good explanation MG Clive!

Do you think that most MG3 hybrids start with the conventional internal combustion engine, or in summer can they start directly in electric mode without going through the combustion phase?

Hi there @Italy, the MG3 Hybrid will almost always set off in full electric mode, the High Voltage battery power would have to be seriously low for it to be bypassed on start-up.

 

[Italy]

Hi there @Italy, the MG3 Hybrid will almost always set off in full electric mode, the High Voltage battery power would have to be seriously low for it to be bypassed on start-up.

If that's the case - and I have no reason to doubt your assertion - it's a very good thing.
My previous Honda jazz hybrid rarely started on all-electric. Only in the summer, when the high-voltage battery was charged, did it start electric.
Toyota hybrids behave in the same way, starting almost systematically on internal combustion.
Perhaps this is also due to the 1.83 HT battery?

 

[Deleted member 18108]

I have a feeling ambient temperature will also play a part in the equation, as I notice on cooler mornings the switch over to combustion engine can be very quick.

 

[MG Clive]

If that's the case - and I have no reason to doubt your assertion - it's a very good thing.
My previous Honda jazz hybrid rarely started on all-electric. Only in the summer, when the high-voltage battery was charged, did it start electric.
Toyota hybrids behave in the same way, starting almost systematically on internal combustion.
Perhaps this is also due to the 1.83 HT battery?

Yes it's the battery size @Italy, the Jazz battery is well under half the size/power of the MG.