2024 MG3 Excite: Quick review

It's evident that Australia's median new car price has been creeping up in the past few years. Increased costs for parts, shipping and manufacturing means the days of sub $20,000 new car options is almost a thing of the past.

Until the MG3 arrived in Australia, making the entry-spec MG3 Auto Core officially the most affordable new car option for buyers as of this year.

But what exactly does the MG3 offer that has made it such a popular choice in the last few years, with over 15,430 examples sold just in 2023, giving it a 43% market share in the Light <$30k category.

It's important to note that many favourites are no longer in this segment, while the Toyota Yaris, Mazda2 and Suzuki Swift still compete.

The face-lifted 2024 MG3 will be landing on our shores later this year, so lets see what today's MG3 is offering.

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Pricing and features

The most premium MG3 available – Excite –is priced at just $20,990 drive-away. Considering it's just $2000 more than the base-spec Core, it's easy to see why it's the choice of the line-up for so many private buyers.

It's powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine developing a humble 82kW and 150Nm which uses 6.7L/100km on a combined cycle.

The Excite comes standard with these specifications:

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Safety

The MG3 popped up in Australia in 2018 and is currently unrated by ANCAP, the independent evaluating body for vehicle safety.

It also misses out on basic expected safety such as autonomous emergency braking and lane keep systems.

In Europe the pre face-lifted model received a 3-star rating, based on 2014 testing criteria. Ten years later, it's clear that the MG3 wouldn't even be able to reach that score.

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Key rivals

As the best-selling light-car in Australia there are slightly pricier competitors such as:

• Kia Picanto
• Toyota Yaris
• Mazda2
• Suzuki Swift

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Should I put it on my shortlist?

There's plenty to think about when buying a new car, but the case for the MG3 Excite is a clear one– it's cheap.

But cheap comes with a trade off. And for MG they've opted for less safety and budget materials to pass the savings onto consumers.

It might not check off every box for a new car buyer, but it builds a compelling case for many who need a new car. Especially when the same budget might be getting you a well-worn used car with no limited active safety as well.