MG Philippines has finally launched its all-new MG 3. In this world of SUVs and crossovers, it’s refreshing to see a new subcompact hatch enter the market. For this comparo, we’ll be pitting the all-new MG 3 Lux against Honda’s refreshed City Hatchback.
The all-new 3 measures 4,055mm long, 1,729mm wide, and 1,521mm tall, making it 314mm shorter, 19mm narrower, and 33mm taller than the City hatch. It rides on a 2,570mm wheelbase, which is 30mm less between the axles than its Honda counterpart. Ground clearance is 120mm, or 14mm lower than that of the City hatch. Both hatchbacks come with 16-inch alloy wheels; the MG comes equipped with 24.44-inch diameter 195/55 rubber, which is larger than the Honda’s 24.01-inch diameter 185/55 rollers.
The all-new 3 has a 261-liter cargo capacity behind the rear seats, or 28 liters smaller compared with the City Hatch. With the rear seats folded down, it’s a different story: The MG has a total cargo capacity of 948 liters, which is seven liters greater than that of its Honda rival. Some of the figures that appear in this comparo came from similar overseas models.
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Here’s a quick overview on the two subcompact hatchbacks featured in this comparo. The hatchback-only MG 3 is the Chinese carmaker’s smallest internal-combustion-engined model. It showcases the latest evolution of the brand’s design language, which features a more aggressive face reminiscent of the larger electric MG 4. The Honda City Hatch, on the other hand, replaces the shorter and taller MPV-like Jazz in Southeast Asia and other select markets. It sports a more conventional shape and is practically identical to its sedan counterpart from the rear doors forward.
The MG 3 is offered in both 187hp hybrid and 118hp non-hybrid flavors. For the Philippine market, the City Hatch is only offered with a conventional 119hp 1.5-liter gasoline mill. Honda offers a hybrid option for the City in other markets. As expected, both subcompacts are front-wheel-drive only and have transverse-mounted engines. Both use independent MacPherson strut suspension up front, and a compact torsion beam setup at the rear. Despite the 3 being the smaller car, its 45-liter fuel tank is actually larger than the City Hatch’s by five liters.
How much are these subcompact hatchbacks? The MG 3 Lux carries a price tag of P898,888, while the refreshed Honda City Hatchback with Honda Sensing costs P1,189,000 for the lone RS variant. For those curious, the MG 3 hybrid is priced at P1,088,888.
What do you think of MG’s new subcompact 3 hatchback? Would you choose it over the more established Honda City RS hatchback? Please let us know in the comments.
