New 2025 MG3 Vibe targets Australia’s cheapest car

The 2025 MG3 Vibe has landed at just $21,990 drive away – just $650 more than Australia’s cheapest car, the Kia Picanto Sport.

Hoping buyers will happily pay a premium over its Korean rival, the MG3 Vibe positions itself as a better-value small hatch, as it comes standard with an automatic transmission in place of the Picanto’s five-speed manual, and offers a 10-year, 250,000km warranty versus seven years and unlimited kilometres for the Kia.

Instead of the electrified powertrain other MG3 variants, the new MG3 Vibe gets a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 81kW and 142Nm of torque – a hefty boost over the 61kW/122Nm of the smaller Kia.

MG says the new MG3 averages 6.0L/100km. That renders it marginally less efficient than the Picanto, which can manage 5.4L/100km.

As standard the MG3 Vibe bags 15-inch steel wheels, a reversing camera and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

As far as driver assistance goes, the new entry MG comes with autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist but misses out on both blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

The MG3 also makes do with a lowly three-star ANCAP crash test rating, matching that of the last-gen Picanto.

On sale now, MG Australia boss Peter Ciao said: “We recognise many Australians are doing it tough with the cost of living. We are proud to deliver the MG3 Vibe, providing great value for Australians as they look to purchase a new car.”

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