MG Comet Reviews

MG has returned to drive-away pricing for the 2024 MG3, effectively making the light car $1500 cheaper to buy.

A new version of the MG HS mid-size SUV has appeared in Australian government approval documents.We have been expecting a replacement for the existing 'AS23' launched here in 2019, providing a much-needed freshen up for MG's rival in Australia's most competitive segment.There is no word on a new MG HS hybrid yet. Instead, a turbocharged 1.5-litre with a dual-clutch auto and 2.0-litre with a regular nine-speed automatic are complied.“With new products coming through, especially really important products such as new HS and ZS, we definitely focused on providing those great offerings to the market," Senior Product and Strategy Manager Akshat Ahuja told CarsGuide.The new MG HS coming to Australia is distinct from the deep facelift revealed for the Thai market late last year.Expect the coming 'AS33' MG HS to be a re-engineered version of the China-market Roewe RX5 – launched in August 2022 – with a visual make-over tying it into the MG3 hatch's new look.A patent image lodged in China gives a pretty clear look at the new HS. A similar, but larger grille filters the air with headlights linked by a single bar in the middle.The rear end has a full-width LED light bar while the sloping roofline gives the China-made SUV a slicker look than the car it replaces.Inside, expect a new architecture based around a generously-sized touchscreen. Familial design details, including the MG4's hexagonal wheel and thin indicators, are expected to appear.The China-market Roewe RX5's 1.5-litre turbo-petrol develops 138kW and 300Nm and is paired-with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.The 2.0-litre turbo is yet to be detailed, but around 160kW will be needed to be competitive.It looks like the new plug-in hybrid system will have similar outputs, with 180kW rated in China's eRX5. A bump to 570Nm (over the MG HS+'s 370Nm figure) is likely, too.The eRX5 features a 21.4kWh battery for a 135km NEDC electric driving range rating. The plug-in hybrid HS is expected to arrive in Australia after the petrol-only models.Currently, there are three trim levels – COM, DEL, LUX – with the 1.5-litre complied for all three and the 2.0-litre reserved for DEL and LUX.The HS range currently starts at $29,990 drive-away, though expect the new model to follow the MG3's lead and jump significantly.A starting price around $35,000 would keep it under key rivals and give MG the ability to fit crucial safety technology for a respectable ANCAP score.MG's HS mid-size SUV needs a sales boost, with sales sitting at less than half of last year's result (1404 vs 3807). It was the brand's lowest selling model last month (279 registrations) a long way shy of segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4 (5517) and Mitsubishi Outlander (2500).A local release of the new MG HS is expected before the end of 2024 followed by a new ZS small SUV. The brand is also investigating a larger seven-seat Kia Sorento rival.

Give the people what they want. It sounds simple enough, as long as you know what people are going to want before they want it.

The automotive world is at war with Chinese brands like BYD, levelling profit-sinking tariffs designed to protect existing industries. But Australia is set to benefit.

The cost of electric cars is coming down at last and it’s happening fast, too, with big brands slashing prices.

MG has firmly established itself as a mainstream brand and it believes an influx of new products will help drive more growth and ward off fresh Chinese competition.

A short 15 years ago, the Hyundai Getz was available for as little as $12,990 drive-away, but the cheap end of the new-car market has nearly evaporated today. 

Once Australia's cheapest new car, the MG3 is now decidedly more expensive but that's for good reason. With a new platform, upgraded cabin, the latest safety technology and an all-new hybrid powertrain MG's new city car isn't just a replacement for your clapped out Hyundai Getz, this promises to be a true rival fro the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo.

Australia’s most affordable new car has gone through a dramatic makeover.The new MG3 hatchback features a fresh design, oodles of safety tech, an updated cabin and the choice of hybrid power.Those updates don’t come cheap and the MG3 loses its crown as Australia’s cheapest new car with prices now starting at $23,990 (before on-road costs), which is a significant jump over the outgoing model’s $18,990 drive-away starting point.MG Australia boss Peter Ciao, said the new MG3 updates were significant.“The MG3 has been redesigned from the ground up and sets a new standard for hybrid and small petrol vehicles in Australia. MG has brought together a brilliant mix of affordability, range and quality for Australian drivers in the all-new MG3 range,” said Ciao.The MG3 comes with the choice of two engines: a 81kW/142Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a hybrid set-up that uses the same petrol engine combined with an electric motor to make 155kW. No combined torque figure is provided for the hybrid.Petrol versions use a CVT automatic and the hybrid uses what MG calls a “Hybrid Transmission”.The hybrid set-up cuts fuel use from 6.0L/100km in the petrol-only versions to a miserly 4.3L/100km.For comparison the MG3 Hybrid’s main rival is the Toyota Yaris, which drinks a claimed 3.3L/100km and its hybrid tech makes a combined 85kW and 141Nm. The Yaris is significantly more expensive than the MG3, though.Petrol and hybrid models are available in two trim grades: Excite and Essence.The MG3 petrol Excite is priced from $23,990, adding hybrid power costs an extra $4000.Essence petrol buyers can expect to pay from $25,990, and hybrid power ups the price to $29,990. The biggest change to the new MG3 is the inclusion of a wide range of active safety tech as standard across the range.The outgoing MG3 had none, but the new version has auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane keep assist.All MG3s have 16-inch alloy wheels. Petrol versions have a space saver spare, but the hybrid makes do with a tyre repair kit.Excite variants have halogen lights, cloth seats, a synthetic leather wrapped steering wheel and a mix of cloth and synthetic leather trims on the doors and centre console.The Essence grade boosts this with synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, leather steering wheel and LED headlights.They also have a sunroof, rain sensing wipers, keyless entry, sat nav and digital radio that the Excite dies without.Every MG3 has a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is paired with a 7.0-inch digital driver display. 

MG is taking orders for its upcoming Cyberster, despite the car not having an official price-tag.