The MG3 is the 2024 Auto Express Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year, with the Honda Civic and Dacia Jogger commended

Whether you judge this category by the affordable part or the hybrid part, the MG3 makes itself incredibly hard to beat. The brand’s latest supermini packs a huge amount of punch into its compact footprint. Its powertrain has more electrical assistance than any of its rivals, to the point where its 134bhp motor offers almost as much power on its own as many competitors provide from their full system. That means the MG drives like an electric car around town, with responsive, smooth performance permanently on tap.

When the petrol engine does kick in, the overall output leaps to 192bhp, giving a huge amount of performance for a car of this size.

But it isn’t just the powertrain that makes it feel grown up, because the MG has the ride and refinement to rival the most cosseting cars in its class. It’s even fun to drive, with keen handling complemented by a stable chassis that’s reassuring for all drivers.

Despite all of this, the MG vastly undercuts the competition on price. The entry-level model weighs in at just £18,495, which is more than £4,000 cheaper than the next most-affordable full-hybrid supermini. And there’s little skimping on the standard kit for that cost, either, because alloy wheels, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even adaptive cruise control are all part of the package.

By any measure of supermini or hybrid quality, then, the MG3 is an absolute bargain, and one of the best cars we’ve driven all year.

Our choice

MG3 Hybrid+ Trophy (£20,495)

With both trim levels so cheap, we’d splash out the top-spec Trophy model, which adds keyless entry, leather trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a 360-degree parking camera for two grand more. That still makes it much cheaper than even the entry-level versions of its rivals.