New MG3 and MG ZS models ditch hybrid system for major price cut

• New pure-petrol versions of the MG3 and MG ZS
• 113bhp 1.5-litre engine with manual gearbox
• Prices start from £16,495 for MG3 and £19,495 for ZS 

If you thought MG’s lineup couldn’t get any more affordable, think again – the MG3 Petrol and MG ZS Petrol have arrived, lowering the entry point for both models to well under £20,000.

As their names suggest, the new models have ditched MG’s hybrid tech in favour of a conventional petrol engine and manual gearbox combo, allowing MG to cut their starting prices by up to £2,500. That makes them some of the cheapest cars on sale today, helping to further strengthen MG’s foothold at the affordable end of the family car market.

What’s new for the MG3 Petrol?

The clue is very much in the name. The MG3 was initially launched in Hybrid+ guise only, using MG’s self-charging tech. The new version has ditched 140kg’s worth of electric gubbins for a traditional petrol engine and a manual gearbox – there’s no automatic option.

As a result, MG has been able to cut £2,000 from its starting price, lowering the entry point to just £16,495. That puts it in the same ballpark as cars like the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo X – all much smaller city cars.

Of course, losing the hybrid system does come with a few compromises. The electric assistance in the MG3 Hybrid+ made it surprisingly quick, with 192bhp and a 0-62mph time of eight seconds. The MG3 Petrol makes do without the electric boost of that car, instead relying solely on its 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 113bhp. The same acceleration benchmark takes nearly three seconds longer at 10.8 seconds as a result.

You’ll be visiting the petrol pump more frequently, too. MG claims the petrol supermini will return up to 46.3mpg, versus the 64mpg of the hybrid. Despite not having a battery to lug around, the MG3 Petrol doesn’t get any extra boot space either, with its 293-litre cargo capacity still falling short of rivals like the Skoda Fabia and Renault Clio.

Still, the MG3 Petrol looks pretty strong when it comes to standard kit. It’s only offered in SE trim – the MG3 Hybrid+ can be had in range-topping Trophy guise – but you get a pair of digital displays as standard, along with a reversing camera, parking sensors, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a host of safety and assistance features.

What about the MG ZS Petrol?

The story is much the same for the MG3’s SUV twin, the MG ZS. You’ll find the same 1.5-litre petrol engine under the bonnet, producing an identical 113bhp. Fuel efficiency stands at 43.5mpg, which is down from the 55.4mpg of the hybrid. Performance has taken a hit, too, with 0-62mph now taking 12.5 seconds – nearly four seconds behind the hybrid.

Boot space and standard equipment are unchanged from the hybrid ZS, but the starting price is the key difference. The MG ZS Petrol starts from just £19,495 – that’s £2,500 less than the Hybrid+. Few SUVs can match that, besides the barebones Dacia Duster Essential or the much smaller SEAT Arona.

What does this mean for car buyers?

A more affordable alternative to two already-cheap cars can only be a good thing for car buyers. While we like the hybrid system in both the MG3 and MG ZS – the latter even picked up our Best Hybrid Award for 2025 – not everyone will be fussed about the fuel-saving tech. 

For some, it will make more sense to hand over less cash upfront and to spend a bit more on filling up with fuel. The fact that you still get the same interior and safety equipment as the hybrid looks to be a positive, too.

Visit our sister site Auto Express for new and used deals for the MG3 and deals for the MG ZS