MG MG3 1.5 petrol FWD manual

Sustainability rating
2026
51%

MG MG3 1.5 petrol FWD manual

Sustainability rating
2026
51%

Our verdict

The petrol driven MG3 1.5 l achieved an average rating score of 51% and 3 stars. The vehicle is small and very light, which helps reduce the impact of its production, but its pollutant emission and consumption values generally did not impress. Like other combustion-engined vehicles, the most challenging discipline are the greenhouses gases, where the result is modest.

  • The MG3's pollutant behaviour is adequate in warm tests but weakens during cold starts and high-power demand. Particle emissions and carbon monoxide are generally what limit the score. The car collects almost all points for tyre abrasion thanks to its low mass. The brake abrasion assessment benefits from the closed rear axle brake system (drums).
  • The small MG delivers unremarkable fuel consumption despite its light weight and compact size. It benefits in LCA from low mass and no battery, but fuel use from the combustion engine still limits the score.
  • The greenhouse gas emissions reach 239 g CO2 eq./km over the full lifecycle, scoring modestly. Low production emissions cannot offset the high emissions from burning petrol.
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6.4 10 Clean Air

The exhaust aftertreatment shows standard performance at warm temperatures, but the emissions control becomes weaker during cold engine starts. The particle emissions stay below Green NCAP's thresholds, but the results would benefit from improved control. CO emissions are seen to be elevated in several test scenarios. The vehicle scores very well for tyre abrasion. The score for brake abrasion reduction benefits from the closed brake system (drums) on the rear axle.

Exhaust emissions

adequate
6.9 10

good

6.110
NMHC NOX NH3 CO PN PM Score
Legal test (WLTP) 4.38
Warm weather 7.410
Highway 6.810
Winter cold start 4.610
Winter warm start 7.510

adequate

8.010
NMHC NOX NH3 CO PN PM Score
Real-world mixed drive 6.810
Short city trip 8.710
Congestion 2.02
  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.
Non-exhaust emissions

adequate
6.7 10

adequate

5.06
Result Score
Influence of mass 3.03
Wheel alignment 1.01
Accelerator response 1.02

marginal

3.06
Result Score
Brake dust mitigation 0.04
Brake dust containment 3.06
Recuperative braking - warm test 0.06
  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.
Additional Life Cycle Assessment information

marginal
5.0 10
Pollutants
*Exhaust emissions are not contributing to the score in Additional Life Cycle Assessment information because they are scored in the Exhaust emissions section above.
5.7 10 Energy Efficiency

Despite the compact body type and low mass, the MG3's tested consumption is not impressive. There is no electrification support of any type and this is reflected in both the on-road and lab test consumption. At around 12°C on dry road, 5.8 l/100 km were used in the real-world mixed drive, while the short urban trip needed 6.6 l/100 km. In terms of life cycle assessment, the total primary energy demand benefits from the low mass but the amounts of fuel needed by the conventional combustion engine limit the achievable score in this section.

Energy demand

weak
5.5 10

weak

2.410
Legal test (WLTP)
6.1 l/100 km
Warm weather
6.2 l/100 km
Highway
7.7 l/100 km
Winter cold start
7 l/100 km
Winter warm start
6.4 l/100 km

good

10.010
Total LCA energy consumption
*Direct propulsion energy share is not shown, it is included in ‘Fuel/energy supply’
Energy source share in total LCA consumption
Rolling resistance

good
10.0 10
  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.
3.2 10 Greenhouse Gases

The direct greenhouse gas emission from petrol combustion are 152 g CO2‑eq./km and the total life cycle value is estimated to be 239 g CO2‑eq./km, which is just enough for a score of 3.2/10. The production phase calculations consider the manufacturing in China. Generally, as is typical for conventional vehicles, the score in this part of the assessment is limited by the use of a fossil fuel.

Exhaust GHG emissions

weak
1.1 10
In laboratory
Legal test (WLTP)
137 g CO₂-eq./km
Warm weather
142.3 g CO₂-eq./km
Highway
175.1 g CO₂-eq./km
Winter cold start
158.8 g CO₂-eq./km
Winter warm start
146.4 g CO₂-eq./km
Additional Life Cycle Assessment information

adequate
8.7 10
Total LCA GHG Emissions
*The scoring does not consider the direct exhaust GHG emissions at the tailpipe, because they are scored separately in ‘Exhaust GHG emissions’ above.

Vehicle Life Cycle Average Emissions 57 (+/-)
(Best 53 | Worst 64)

  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.

Specifications

  • Vehicle class Small Family Car
  • Power/Torque 85 kW/148 Nm
  • Engine size 1,495 cc
  • Declared consumption 6.1 l/100 km
  • Declared CO2 137 g/km
  • Mass 1,162 kg
  • Heating concept Waste heat
  • Tyres 195/55R16
  • Emissions class Euro 6 EA
  • Tested car LSJWP4U92SZ08XXXX
  • Publication date 09 2026
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Disclaimer

Driving Experience

Consumption & Range

adequate
Estimated actual consumption What consumption can be expected in real world conditions?

adequate
Conditions Urban Rural Highway Mixed
Warm weather
8.6
6.0
6.8
7.2
l/100 km
Cold winter
9.4
6.3
7.3
7.8
l/100 km
Accuracy of display Is the consumption figure on the display correct?

good
  • good
  • adequate
  • poor
  • n.a.
Cold Winter Performance

not applicable
Charging Capability

not applicable

Green NCAP comments

The Driving Experience evaluation of conventional vehicles focuses only on the performance in the section 'Consumption and Range'. The MG3's estimated real-world consumption figures are seen as adequate in all conditions – warm weather and cold winter, urban, rural, highway and mixed driving scenarios. The consumption readings on the board computer display are accurate.

Download report (pdf) Download detailed test results (ods) Safety test results

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Variants

MG MG3

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