DRIVEN Incredible new MG3

FIRST VERDICT Early experience of MG3 hybrid supermini reveals a car that has every chance of being the best in its class

- Alex Ingram

• Hybrid powertrain develops 192bhp
• Range prices start from just £18,495

REACH for the REACH adjustment for the steering manoeuvres are a bit jerky, and the sliding tray under the front centre armrest feels comically flimsy. We're telling you these flaws straight off the bat, because that's the level of nit-picking we needed to get to in order to find anything at all to complain about - the new MG3 really is that good.

This is the second generation of the MG3, although implying that only one generation separates it from the old model vastly undersells just what a vast leap forward this car has taken over its very underwhelming predecessor. This is a car that can now compete with - and in many areas, beat - the very best cars in the fast-dwindling supermini segment.

MG has created an all-new platform, which has allowed the company to install the car with its latest driver-assist systems, as well as an all-new hybrid powertrain, which we'll come back to later.

At 4,113mm, it's 173mm longer than one of our favourite superminis, the Renault Clio. That size has been put to decent use. The 293-litre boot space is near-identical to that in rivals such as the Clio and Toyota Yaris, while rear space is around average for a supermini; a Skoda Fabia is better if you'll often carry adults in the back, but the MG is a close match for the Clio.