BABY GROWS UP

MG’S small hatchback gets brought up to date, writes Phil Huff

Eight years since it rose from the ashes, the MG brand is still a bit of an unknown in the UK. Sales are increasing, and have just about doubled this year, but it’s still a small brand in a big pond. Last year’s small SUV, the ZS, helped matters. That’s a fine handling and well priced competitor to mainstream rivals, but the bigger GS hasn’t gone down so well. What’s always been liked is the 3, MG’S small hatchback, but four years after launch it’s feeling its age.

Right on cue, there’s a facelift, and a it’s big one.

It’s obvious on the outside. This is no minor update, with barely noticeable changes to headlights and bumpers. No, MG had gone and replaced the entire front end, starting with the new ‘star rider’ grille that dominates proceedings. Headlights with LED running lights flow backwards, along the side of the car, to where the centre remains much the same. It’s been tidied up at the rear, with new lights and details, including larger MG badges.

The 3 is definitely a distinctive and funky looking hatchback. Personalisation has always been popular with the baby MG, and that continues with different options available for the roof, wheels, mirrors and even sticker packs.

There are even greater changes inside, with the sombre and grey layout of the old car replaced entirely with a new dashboard incorporating an eight-inch touchscreen and fascia panels that can be specified in different colours and styles. It’s thoroughly modern, if a little unadventurous, and brings the 3 bang up to date.

Or at least it would if that brightly coloured infotainment system was a little more impressive. It looks great, with bold squares of colour to stab at with your fingers, but the audio system is limited, there’s no satellite navigation (even as an option) and while there is Apple Carplay, there’s no sign of Android Auto. Still, this is a very low priced car, so some corners clearly have to be cut.

One such cut has been on chassis development. The original 3 was a fine car to steer through some country lanes, but there’s been no further improvement for the new model. It’s not bad news as such, but since the 3 arrived there’ s been a new suzuki swift, Ford Fiesta and Kia Picanto, all models that now outshine the MG’S capabilities. Despite that, the 3 is still pretty good fun. Keep it within its limits and it’s a sharp handling machine that can create a smile, but stretch things too far and the car develops a huge amount of understeer.

The biggest disappointment is the engine. It’s the same 1.5-litre petrol engine as before, and it was a frustration then. There’s little power until you start working the engine very hard and, once you’ve found the power band, it drops away again if you go slightly too far up the rev range. Driven normally, it’s reasonably economical – expect around 40mpg – but is a tad lethargic. It’s also remarkably well behaved on the motorway, with the firm but comfortable suspension ably absorbing the long undulations you find on the nation’s trunk roads. DAB radio and some good speakers mask the slightly elevated noise levels.

Add in 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, automatic windscreen wipers, reverse parking sensors, air-conditioning, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and more, and the £12,795 exclusive model starts to look like good value. There’ s £3,300 to be saved by choosing the entry-level Explore model, which shares the same chassis, suspension engine and gearbox, although misses out on some important equipment. There are few cheaper ways to get behind the wheel of a new car though.

It’s all backed up by a sevenyear warranty too, reassuring buyers that the MG brand offers security and reliability. It’s another positive point for a car that’s better than it appears to be on paper.