MG’s cheapest model now even cheaper

MG Australia has introduced a new entry-level variant to its second-generation MG 3 range, bringing the light hatch tantalisingly close to the title of Australia’s cheapest new car.

The MG 3 Vibe joins the lineup priced at $21,990 drive-away. That makes it nearly $1000 cheaper than the current range-opening MG 3 Excite petrol, which is currently priced at $22,888 drive-away as part of a promotional offer available until the end of this month (May 31).

Unlike the Excite and Essence versions of the latest MG 3 released last year, there is no Hybrid+ powertrain available for the Vibe. It also misses out on a handful of goodies like alloy wheels, push-button start, and electric folding mirrors.

MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao said the more affordable new MG 3 variant’s introduction was intended to provide “great value for Australians as they look to purchase a new car”, as the brand recognises “many Australians are doing it tough with the cost of living”.

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Powering the MG 3 Vibe is the same petrol engine available with both the petrol Excite and Essence grades: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 81kW of power and 142Nm of torque.

This is mated with a continuously variable automatic transmission, with drive sent to the front wheels only. The Vibe rides on 15-inch steel wheels instead of the 16-inch alloys found across the rest of the range.

Inside, owners still get the same 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster seen in the Excite, the former accompanied by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

It retains many elements from the Excite including halogen headlights, a reversing camera, fabric upholstery, and a six-speaker sound system.

The Vibe also features part of the MG Pilot safety suite, though it misses out on blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist. All MG 3s are still covered by MG’s 10-year, 250,000km warranty.

With the addition of the Vibe, the MG 3 undercuts rivals like the Suzuki Swift Hybrid manual ($24,490 drive-away), and is comfortably cheaper than the base Mazda 2 Evolve ($30,402 drive-away) after Mazda axed the base Pure and Pure SP grades for 2025.

However, MG hasn’t outdone Kia, which is no longer represented in the light car segment after the axing of the Rio, but whose entry-level version of the smaller Picanto Sport manual remains Australia’s cheapest new model at $21,340 drive-away. The Picanto became Australia’s lowest-price new car when the previous-generation MG 3 was replaced in mid-2024.

So far in 2025, the MG 3 is Australia’s best-selling light car. To the end of March, MG has shifted 3081 examples, significantly more than the 1468 sales recorded for the Mazda 2 and the 1044 new homes found by the Suzuki Swift Hybrid.

Full 2025 MG 3 pricing is detailed below:

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