• Good front legroom and passable headroom
• Big boot, seats don’t fold flat
• Plenty of room for odds and ends

How much space is there?

Up front, the MG3 Hybrid is one of the roomiest cars in its class, and it also boasts above-average boot space, although some compromises have been made in the rear. If you want most room for families with longer legs, we’d go for a Skoda Fabia or SEAT Ibiza, but saying that I found it wasn’t too bad four-up.

Larger drivers may find it less easy than desirable to get in. If you’re tall, or like your seat all the way back, the backrest ends up positioned behind the B-pillar, impeding access. It’s not terrible but could be better. In short, pretty good up front, acceptable in the rear, and okay for carrying luggage.

Boot space and storage

Here the MG3 Hybrid scores well. At 293 litres, boot space is competitive with rivals like the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris, which are at the top end of the class – even if it lags behind the impressive Hyundai i20’s 350-litre loadbay.

A couple of things to note. I was surprised that the rear seatback isn’t split. Also, when folded, there’s quite a step from the boot floor to the back of the rear seat – it’s a long way from being flat.

In the cabin, things are better – with ample storage in the central area for phones and other nick-nacks, with generously-sized doorbins adding to the mix. The only downside are the comedically lightweight plastics used in the central cubby for the storage tray. Most owners, I suspect, will break it within weeks.

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Is it easy to park?

The MG3 Hybrid is one of the larger cars in the supermini class coming in at 4,113mm long. That makes it 173mm longer than a Renault Clio, but hardly massive in context with the average European family car.

These compact dimensions, allied with light steering and reasonable visibility make it very easy to park. The chunky tyres also lessen anxiety about potentially kerbed wheels. My Trophy-spec test car was also fitted with technology to help in this department, such as a variety of sensors and a 360-degree camera to spot hazards.

Safety

• No safety rating yet
• Lots of kit as standard
• Driver assists work well

The previous-generation MG3 scored a pretty average EuroNCAP star rating of three stars, way back in 2014, so its rating is now expired. This one is yet to be expected, but it’s fair to expect it to put in a better performance, especially considering the MG4 EV’s five-star performance.

In terms of active safety features, the MG3 Hybrid receives the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), delivered by the MG Pilot suite of features, which includes Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Traffic Jam Assist.

On the move, the adaptive cruise set-up and lane-keeping work especially well, and easily among the best in class. Even the overspeed warning isn’t annoying, with a soft chime that reminded me of Alpine cow bells…