BMW 218i vs MG 3

What's the difference?

The badge might say one thing, but the 2 Series Gran Coupe sticks to the time-honoured template of being a compact yet comparatively practical three-box, four-door sedan, complete with a big boot.

More importantly, it drives and behaves like a BMW – which means sufficient-to-strident performance depending on grade, athletic dynamics and pleasing refinement on one hand, as well as a stiff price and a hard ride on the other.

A true BMW in name and nature, then..

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Aside from its safety shortcomings and underwhelming powertrain, it’s easy to see why the MG3 has become a successful part of the brand’s line-up. If you’re driving around a rural centre like I was, it makes a lot of sense.

Whether you choose the Excite model, which has a bit more visual pizzazz, or the Core model, which is our pick of the range, the MG3 is well priced, has the media tech buyers are after, is a charming looking thing that comes in a range of great colours, and is smartly packaged, too. 

Thanks to the team at Orange MG for assisting us with this the loan vehicle for this review. Head to Orange MG for more information.

BMW is calling the F74 a new-generation 2 Series Gran Coupe, and there have been obvious and even profound changes throughout and underneath, including to some of the sheetmetal.

But this is not an all-new car by any stretch, with the glasshouse, doors and roof amongst many other body items carrying over from the F44.

That now remarkably Kia Cerato-esque nose ushers in new LED lighting motifs and an updated kidney grille, but whether they sit easily with the rest of the car is debatable. Redesigned tail-lights, different colours and new alloys make up the majority of the exterior changes.

Betraying the latest 2 Series Gran Coupe’s newness claims are near-identical dimensions, with that redesigned front end and bumpers contributing to a 20mm increase in the F74’s 4546mm length, while revised suspension and damper settings help account for the 25mm boost in height (to 1445mm). The BMW’s 1800mm width and 2670mm wheelbase remain the same.

There’s a higher level of newness to be found inside.

It’s a fresh looking thing, the MG3. 

From its attractive front-end with “London Eye” LED daytime running lights, its Euro-look angular front bumper and chrome-trimmed grille, and its angular window lines, it really does have a distinct personality.

It looks a lot more modern and enticing than the first version of the MG3 sold here, and I have no doubt that a lot of buyers of the MG3 have been attracted by its sharp styling first and foremost. MG has done a tremendous job of creating a family look - it just happens that the family looks like it has been taking good care of itself, keeping active and trim, too.

The rear end isn’t quite as attractive, with the vertical tail-lights making it seem taller than it is. It’s still a nicely sculpted back-end, though.

On the Core model you’ll get some lower blacked-out design trim bits, and the wheels fitted are 15-inch alloys. 

The Excite model seen here is a little more, dare we say it, exciting to look at. That’s down to its body kit, consisting of lower chrome elements on the front bumper, a set of black side skirts, and a hatch-mounted rear spoiler. You get 16-inch alloy wheels, too. 

In terms of dimensions, it’s closer in size to the Kia Rio than it is the Picanto. With a length of 4055mm (on a long-for-its-size 2520mm wheelbase), a width of 1729mm and height of 1504mm, it’s a pretty chunky little unit. 

It is rather conventional in the way its interior is designed, however - there’s no sliding second row (like the Suzuki Ignis) or flip-folding seats (a la the Honda Jazz). Check out the interior pictures below to see for yourself.

During the media presentation at its launch, BMW described the 2 Series Gran Coupe as being almost as large as a 1990s E46 3 Series, and it is in all major dimensions except wheelbase.

Plus, being a front-drive-biased/transverse engine proposition instead of rear-wheel drive should make it roomier than the F74’s iconic ancestor.

The sense getting in is that this is certainly not too low or cramped as per a more-traditional coupe, with plenty of space for legs and shoulders, while even the optional sunroof fitted to our 218 left us with headroom to spare.

The redesigned dash is a visual and operational treat, with crisp, clear instruments, a logically presented and intuitive centre display screen offering fast and easy operation, excellent ventilation and ample storage. Full marks here.

Better still, attaining the perfect driving position is possible for most people, on brilliantly supportive front seats. This is the stuff BMW does right.

Improvement suggestions for the next update? Some people may complain about the somewhat less-than-premium feel of some of the lower-lying plastic trim; not everybody will love the swatches of colour stitching (we love it); why does the steering wheel have to be so wide-of-rim? Side and rear vision is restricted by fat pillars, rising shoulder lines and a shallow rear window; and there is quite a bit of road noise that enters the cabin at speed.

Still, even the back seat is sufficiently spacious for most users, with the sole exception of taller folk having to negotiate a sloping rear roofline. If you’re below 180cm, this should be fine. Most amenities minus overhead grab handles are also fitted.

Further back, the boot is surprisingly accommodating, with 430 litres of cargo capacity that’s enhanced by a 40:20:40 split-fold backrest, and the aperture should be big enough for bulkier loads, but the lack of a spare wheel will be bad news for many buyers. The supplied tyre-repair kit is just not good enough.

But, you know what is good enough? The engines BMW builds, that’s what.

If you’ve owned the same old car for years and you’re setting foot in an MG3 for the first time, you’ll probably feel amazed that you can get an interior with interesting finishes, a high-tech screen and decent materials at this price point.

Earlier versions of the MG3 were nowhere near as good inside as the current model, which has been on sale since 2018. It’s not perfect, but there are plenty of things to like.

The seats offer plenty of adjustment, including a huge amount of height adjustment for shorter drivers. The seat is comfortable, though some drivers might find it hard to get the right position: there is no reach adjustment for the steering wheel (only rake adjust), and you can’t adjust the seatbelt height, either. 

I really like the seat trim which is a broad tartan design (with “synthetic leather” bolsters and contrast stitching in the top-spec Excite), mirrored by an etched tartan aluminium trim piece on the dashboard - it looks really smart, even if my OCD radar was set off by the fact the trim wasn’t aligned to match perfectly between the cushion sections. Take a look at the interior pictures to see what I mean.

There are some really nice elements to the cabin. Things like the 'lock' and 'unlock' button on the driver’s door, which looks like it has been stolen directly from Audi’s parts catalogue. The same can be said for the speedo instrument font. 

There’s no doubt that it’s built to a price, but it doesn’t feel anywhere near as cheap as you might expect. We’ve criticised Audi, VW and Skoda for cutting costs with hard plastic trims on doors and dashboards, and the MG has plenty of hard plastics, too - but it’s expected at this price, not double it.

There’s a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with AM/FM radio and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, plus USB connectivity and smartphone mirroring - meaning you get Apple CarPlay, essentially negating the need for sat nav if you use an iPhone. You can option a GPS navigation system on the Core model, but satellite navigation comes standard on the Excite. There's no Android Auto mirroring available at all, though.

In previous models from the SAIC stable - including the LDV T60, and MG ZS - I had troubles with the media screen, but the version in the MG3 Excite I drove was quick and problem free, even when disconnecting and reconnecting my phone multiple times. 

There are other little things that could be improved, like the fact the trip meter is difficult to navigate, and there’s no digital speedometer. Also, the digital climate control in the Excite model shows up on the media screen, though by way of a graphic rather than a temperature number. In the base model Core there’s a simpler manual a/c system. 

The steering wheel has a part leather trim with perforated edges which makes it look and feel a little bit sporty – and it has a flat bottom as well, which will appeal to the sporty-minded buyer. There are stereo and cruise control buttons on the wheel, but the stalks behind are “back to front”, with the left stalk for indicators and lights, and the right for wipers. 

As for storage, up front there is a single cup holder between the seats, a couple of small storage sections including a trench for a wallet, and another storage section in front of the gear selector - that’s where the MG3’s single USB port is, too.

The front door storage includes bottle holders, and there are soft padded elbow pads on the front doors - which is more than we can say for some of those aforementioned Euro brands.

With the driver’s seat set in my position (I’m 182cm tall), I had enough back seat space to be comfortable. There was enough knee room and toe room, and reasonable headroom if I sat perfectly still - although the slightest tilt of my head to the outer side of the car saw my noggin contact the headlining. Rear seat comfort is okay - the backrest is a firm, but there’s good visibility out the windows. There are dual ISOFIX child seat anchor points, and three top-tether points for baby seats. 

In the back the storage is minimal. There are two map pockets, but no door pockets, and there’s no flip-down centre armrest with cupholders. But there is one large pocket in front of the middle-seat rear passenger which would do for a bottle. The back seat also misses out on soft elbow pads on the doors. 

Boot space is good for a car in this size segment. You’ll only really do better if you buy a Honda Jazz or Suzuki Baleno, as the MG3 offers a deep and boxy cargo zone, with a cargo capacity of 307 litres to the cargo cover. 

Need more luggage capacity? The back seats fold down in a 60:40 split, alleviating 1081L of space - though the load-through is limited as the seats don’t fold completely flat. Or you could fit a roof rack. 

The success of the MG3 in Australia has been largely driven by its price. 

And no wonder - pricing for cars of this size has increased steadily, and plenty of brands have found their light cars in the "too hard" basket as a result.

But the MG3 is still relatively cheap. Prices have jumped over the time since we drove this particular car, but they're still sub-$20K for all models in the range.

For context, the 2020 model started at just $16,490 drive-away for the Core model and topped out at $18,490 drive-away for the top-spec Excite, and those prices were the RRPs listed on MG’s site at the time.

But now the MG3 has become a bit pricier - the current pricing for the range is up, with the base model Core now $18,490 drive-away, while the Core with Nav model costs $18,990 drive-away, and the top-spec Excite grade is a Macca's meal short of twenty grand at $19,990 drive-away.

Wondering what features you get when it comes to the models in the range? It's pretty simple, so let’s run through what each model gets.

The Core gets 15-inch alloy wheels, cloth tartan finish seat trim, auto on/off halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, manual air conditioning, electric windows, electric mirrors, and a leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons. There’s a space-saver spare wheel, too.

The media system includes a 8.0-inch touchscreen with USB connectivity, Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto), Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, and AM/FM radio. There’s no CD player, and the Core model gets four speakers. If you're keen on sat nav, you can step up to the Core Nav model, which adds $500 to the bill.
Stepping up to the Excite nets you a few extras like 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels and a body kit, body-coloured mirrors, vanity mirrors in the sun-visors, and synthetic leather trim on the seats with contrast stitching. 

The Excite also includes GPS sat nav as standard, and steps up the sound system to be a six-speaker unit with “Full Vehicle Yamaha 3D Sound Field”.

Interested in the safety spec inclusions? Read the safety section below for what’s included, and what’s missing.

Our friendly MG dealer let me know that he can’t get enough of the Tudor Yellow models, and that colour - as well as Dover White and Pebble Black - are no-cost optional hues. You should bare in mind that Regal Blue metallic, Scottish Silver metallic and Bristol Red metallic (as seen here) will set you back an additional $500. Looking for orange, green or gold paint? Sorry, no can do.

As for accessories, beyond floor mats there’s not a lot to speak of. Oh, and those wishing for a sunroof? No chance… unless you’re handy with a Sawzall. Note: do not cut a hole in the roof of your car. 

While the prices have gone up since we originally published this review, the MG3 still scores strongly for pricing and specs, because the market has moved up, too, and like-for-like it's still cheaper than almost all of its rivals - Picanto excluded.

Three F74 powertrain choices are available for Australia in 2025. And none even remotely reflect what their respective badges imply on the boot.

The 218, for instance, is not powered by a 1.8-litre engine, but BMW’s long-lived B38 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol unit. Making 115kW of power at 6500rpm and 230Nm of torque between 1500rpm and 4600rpm, drive is channelled to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT).

With a kerb weight of 1420kg, the 218 has a power-to-weight ratio of 81kW per tonne, helping it achieve the 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds, on the way to a 230km/h top speed.

Not enough? The 220 features the ubiquitous B48 2.0-litre (not a 2.2-litre) four-cylinder turbo petrol engine/7DCT combo, pumping out 150kW at 6500rpm and 300Nm from 1450-4500rpm. Tipping the scales at 1525kg for 98.4kW/tonne, its 0-100km/h time is 7.3s and top speed is 250km/h.

Want more? Stretching to the M235 xDrive sadly doesn’t mean a 3.5-litre in-line six, but a modified B48 2.0L/7DCT duo, delivering 233kW at 6500rpm and 400Nm from 2000-4500rpm to all four wheels. Result? Weighing just 50kg more than the 220, it boasts a heady 148kW/tonne, for a 0-100km/h of just 4.9s and a 250km/h v-max.

As with all of the UKL2/FAAR transverse-engine front-to-AWD platform models from non-electric Minis through to sub-X3/3 Series BMWs, you’ll find MacPherson-style struts up front and a multi-link independent rear end out back.

If you’re reading this outside of Australia, you may notice that none of the current F74 models offer mild-hybrid tech, in contrast to their European counterparts. And don’t go expecting any manual gearboxes either, unfortunately.

Keen to know the engine specs for the MG3? Well, it’s pretty simple on the specifications front.

There’s just one motor available: a 1.5-litre four-cylinder non-turbo petrol engine, dubbed NSE Major by MG. 

It has class competitive outputs of 82kW (at 6000rpm) and 150Nm (at 4500rpm). It is only available with a four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. There’s no manual transmission available anymore - it was available in the earlier MG3s, but no more. 

While some competitors offer higher-powered flagship variants that act as the horsepower hero of the range, there’s no such variant in the MG3 range. Not yet, anyway. For now there’s just one engine size, no turbo, and no diesel or EV models to speak of either.

The tare mass/tare weight for the MG3 hatch is 1170kg, which is a bit heavier than a Mazda 2, but pretty much on par with a Kia Rio. 

Considering a caravan holiday with your new MG3? Maybe think twice - the maximum towing capacity is just 200kg. 

If you’re worried about engine problems, clutch problems, or have questions about the battery, gearbox, or the oil requirements, be sure to stay tuned to our MG problems page. And if you're curious about whether it has a timing chain or timing belt? It's a chain.

OK, so is the 2 Series Gran Coupe cheap to run?

BMW reckons the 218 and 220 will average 6.3 and 6.7 litres per 100km, which means combined average carbon dioxide emissions ratings of 143 and 152 grams/km respectively.

Filling the 49L fuel tank with 95 RON premium unleaded, that translates to around 775km in the 218, and 730km in the 220 between refills.

Predictably, the M235 xDrive uses more, at 7.7L/100km for a CO2 rating of 176g/km. That’s a distance of about 635km.

Over our launch run, which took us from Sydney’s Circular Quay to Wollongong, the 218’s trip meter was reading in the high 8s and about 10 for the M235.

The combined cycle fuel consumption claim - which is what the brand claims the vehicle should use across a mix of driving situations - is the same across the MG3 line-up: 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

During my time with the car - which consisted of exactly 100km of mixed driving - I saw an at-the-pump fuel economy return of 7.7L/100km, which is decent.

The fuel tank capacity of the MG3 is 45 litres - meaning a theoretical mileage per tank of about 580km. It runs on regular unleaded (91RON), too.

Just be aware, the filler neck of the fuel tank is a little less angled than some other cars, so you might find it can splash back when it ‘clicks’ the first time.

Earlier, we mentioned that the 2 Series Gran Coupe is way more expensive than fine alternative sedans like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla.

And while that still stands, there is a remarkable solidity and refinement difference between those and the BMW that helps justify the premium. And nowhere is this more evident than from behind the wheel.

Sat on body-hugging seats and clutching that (too chunky) steering wheel, there is a sense of sporty occasion, backed up by quality trim and an aroma of expensiveness.

For a turbo three-cylinder car weighing 1.5 tonnes, the 218 does a lot with a little, offering spirited off-the-line acceleration and pleasingly lag-free throttle responses at lower speeds. You’d never call it fast, but it is a quick point-to-point urban mover. Only the unavoidable three-pot thrum lets you know you’re in the lowest mechanical spec. And, also, the delay at freeway speeds in building momentum when overtaking.

Which is why, for less than five per cent extra, the 220 with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo would probably make a better buy. Sadly, that isn’t on sale yet in Australia, so we missed out on driving it during the Sydney launch. But in the scores of other BMWs and Minis we’ve tested this in, it’s a cracking little powertrain.

Whether the big leap (nearly $25K worth) to the M235 is worth it depends on how fast you drive and how much you value/need AWD. This is a terrifically muscular machine, since it provides rapid performance via a tidal wave of power, even with the lightest flex of your right foot. On-point and on-brand, this fun and fiery flagship possesses the grand-touring spirit that the rakish design and tech-heavy engineering promise.

To that end, in both the 218 and M235, the steering makes the driver feel connected to the car, resulting in precise and controlled handling. The driver-assist safety tech is beautifully calibrated and nuanced in its intervention, and the brakes are second-to-none.

What is also on-topic for a BMW is the firm suspension, despite the adaptive dampers fitted as standard equipment.

It isn’t stiff or overly uncomfortable, but bumps are certainly always felt, and they’re accompanied by fairly constant road-noise drone over some surfaces.

As such, you’re constantly reminded that dynamic athleticism is the priority here, rather than sumptuous comfort. We’ve experienced much worse from BMW, but a magic-carpet ride isn’t what’s in store for the 2 Series Gran Coupe owner.

So, what’s our verdict then? The 218 is a rorty little tryer that never fails to involve the driver, while the M235 ushers in an elevated level of acceleration, grunt and grip. We suspect that the 220 will be the Goldilocks-zone happy medium.

For (largely) better as well as for (occasionally) worse, these drive and feel like a BMW should.

You might think of MG as a sports car brand - that’s what they built back in history, after all, and those are the reminiscences the company is hoping you’ll have when you see the famed octagonal badge.

And of the current crop of models that MG sells in Australia, the MG3 is undoubtedly the sportiest. 

That comes down to its driving manners, steering and ride - but not the engine and transmission.

The powertrain feels to be lacking enough power and torque to make it feel light and zippy when accelerating. The automatic transmission doesn’t make the greatest use of the engine, and can be indecisive when climbing hills or when you ask more of the car. Oh, don’t even think about a 0-100 performance claim - no such number exists.

In urban driving at lower speeds it’s fine. Between traffic lights and encountering roundabouts, and there’s not much to complain about. It doesn’t have any lag or lurch from a standstill, and is smooth and quick enough to get away from rest, too.

It’s just once you start to ask more of the engine and transmission that you notice that things could be better. There is, at least, a manual shift mode for the transmission to allow you to take control of the shifts, and there’s a sport mode too, which will hang on to gears and quell the indecision of the transmission to a degree.

On the open road it gets along fine, sitting at the speed limit without much fuss - although once you encounter a hill, you will notice the speed drop off a little. And the cruise control seemingly has a bit of a mind of its own, with a set speed displayed at 100km/h, I noticed the speed varying between 90km/h and 110km/h, depending on the terrain.

It’s the road holding, grip, handling and steering that help it live up to the badge, with steering that has a nice hefty weight to it and good directness at pace or around town. It even offers a little bit of feel through the wheel, which is welcome. That grip was surprising given the tyres fitted to the Excite’s 16-inch alloy wheels (Giti GitiComfort 228 tyres in 195/55/16 size).

The ride is tuned with a firmer character to it than you might expect. It’s not to the point of discomfort, and nor is it fidgety or clumsy over potholes or sharp edges. And that tune for the Macpherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension means that it feels plenty grippy in corners. Over my drive loop - incorporating sweeping bends and tighter twists - the MG3 stuck itself to the road commendably, with no noticeable skittishness to speak of. 

Indeed, I kept thinking that the suspension tune reminded me of a VW, Skoda or Audi city car - assured, confident, and ultimately a bit of fun.

The braking performance was good, too - it pulled up true and straight under heavy braking, and offered decent response at city speeds, too.

One minor criticism was some noticeable wind noise from around the windscreen pillar / mirror area, which was evident at speeds from 70km/h up.

Safety technology is the MG3’s biggest shortfall. There’s no ANCAP crash test safety rating to speak of, and the MG3 doesn’t come with any form of auto emergency braking (AEB), which is disappointing given the tech has been available on affordable city cars since 2013 (the VW up! was an early benchmark). 

Even the facelifted Mitsubishi Mirage has AEB with pedestrian detection, but the MG3 doesn’t. Nor does it come with lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert or rear AEB.

So what do you get? The range comes standard with a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, and six airbags (dual front, front side, full-length curtain). And that may be enough for you, but we know you can get more safety tech in rival cars, so it can’t score well against this criteria.

Where is the MG3 built? It’s made in China. 

Here, however, is where BMW can do a bit better.

While the five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is where most premium brands are, it falls short of several Asian alternatives. Roadside assistance is for just three years and there is no capped-price servicing.

Service scheduling is also condition-based, meaning the vehicle will alert the driver when a service is imminent. This may not suit everybody, and we always recommend at least every 12 months or 10,000km, just to be on the safe side.

BMW does offer pre-paid service packs that take in basic maintenance for the first five years at $2369 or $3782, including brake-pad replacement, which works out to be about $475 and nearly $760 annually respectively. There is also a cap on mileage during that time frame: 80,000km.

I kept thinking about one particular thing over my time in the MG3 - the warranty. It’s such a great peace of mind move from the company to back its cars with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty plan. 

If your brain works like mine, you could calculate it out and see the purchase of the MG3 completely differently: what about thinking of it as a $2500-ish-per-year investment, and at the end you get a free car…! The same can be said of the Kia Picanto and Rio, though.

That warranty should put your mind at ease when it comes to reliability, problems, common faults and issues, as any required fixes are set to be covered by the brand over that period. And buyers get seven years of roadside assistance included, too.

Maintenance is required every 12 months/10,000km, whichever comes first. That’s a bit more regular than some rivals (most have 15,000km intervals), but the brand backs its cars with a seven-year fixed service cost plan. Servicing costs averaged out over the first seven years/70,000km of ownership equate to $382 per visit (before GST), which isn't cheap, but nor is it expensive.

Here's a rundown of the recommended service costing (all prices pre-GST): 12 months/10,000km: $231.76; 24 months/20,000km: $385.23; 36 months/30,000km - $379.72; 48 months/40,000km - $680.74; 60 months/50,000km - $231.76; 72 months/60,000km - $533.19; 84 months/70,000km - $231.76.

Keep the service logbook stamps up to date in your owners manual - it’s a ticket to better resale value.