MG3

FIRST DRIVE Refreshed hatch is still let down by its outdated engine.

- James Brodie

MG is aiming to crack 10,000 sales in the UK next year, with the firm’s MG3 supermini tasked with delivering some of that volume. This mid-life revamp is intended to kick-start sales, ahead of an all-new version arriving in 2022.

Five years after the MG3’s UK debut, the car’s front has completely changed. It gets a larger grille that’s similar to the one used on the marque’s ZS crossover, flanked by fresh LED headlights that are fitted above a sportier new bumper.

The exterior face lift is rounded off by a pair of new side skirts and a revised rear bumper, which also looks suitably sporty. Personalisation options remain a big part of this car’s appeal, and it brings a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels, too.

It’s the changes inside that impress most, though, because the cabin has had a thorough rethink. It feels far more up to date than before, with the adoption of an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display and Apple CarPlay included on all but the entry-level Explore model.

Redesigned