2025 MG 3 v 2025 Suzuki Swift: Spec battle (2024)

There are new generations incoming of two of Australia’s cheapest cars: the MG 3 and Suzuki Swift.

While the outgoing MG 3 held the title of the cheapest car on sale in Australia, the new generation is over $5000 dearer for even the cheapest variant.

It now offers available hybrid power and a wide array of new safety tech, though the higher price brings it closer to rivals like the Suzuki Swift.

Suzuki has added mild-hybrid technology to the latest generation of its popular hatch, but has only increased the base price by $500.

You can also still get a manual transmission in the new Swift, for which the MG 3 has no direct answer.

With that in mind, which of the two is the better choice for a cheap small car? We’ve broken down the spec sheets to find out.

Pricing

With the new model the MG 3 has lost the title of Australia’s cheapest car, replaced by the Kia Picanto – though there’s still enough stock of the outgoing MG 3 to last to the end of the year.

The old MG 3 range started at $18,990 drive-away, which means it’ll now cost over $5000 more if you want a base-spec petrol version.

The most expensive MG 3 now packs hybrid tech, but it’s over $10,000 more expensive than a top-spec model in the previous generation.

The Swift range previously started at $23,990 drive-away everywhere except Queensland, where it cost $25,490 drive-away.

The new Swift Hybrid range now opens at $24,490 drive-away for the base manual model, a mere $500 increase on the previous generation.

While the Swift Hybrid is slightly more expensive than the MG 3 at the bottom of the range, a top-spec Suzuki is $500 cheaper than its equivalent MG.

However, it features a mild-hybrid system, rather than the full-hybrid powertrain of the top-spec MG 3.

Drivetrains and efficiency

Hybrid tech is a new addition for the MG 3 range, which means power output has been increased to 155kW on Hybrid+ models.

Petrol models retain a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder, though its outputs are down 1kW and 8Nm from the previous generation.

Hybrid MG 3 models produce less power and torque from their engine than their non-hybrid counterparts, though the addition of an electric motor adds a considerable power boost. MG hasn’t quoted total system torque.

With its 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, the Swift Hybrid produces less power and torque than the MG 3.

Its hybrid system is only a mild-hybrid, which includes a 12V lithium-ion battery and single electric motor producing 2.3kW of power and 60Nm of torque.

The Swift Hybrid is claimed to be more fuel efficient than the MG 3, while also emitting considerably less carbon dioxide.

Suzuki has also retained a manual transmission option for the new generation of Swift, whereas the MG 3 is only automatic with either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or Hybrid Transmission.

Dimensions

They’re similar in height and width, but the MG 3 is considerably longer and heavier than the Swift Hybrid.

The MG 3’s body is around 250mm longer than the Swift Hybrid, while its wheelbase is more than 100mm longer.

You get similar boot capacities on each, though the MG 3 offers slightly more space in both seats up and seats down configurations.

The Swift Hybrid weighs in at less than one tonne in both manual and automatic variants, though the automatic is the heavier of the two. Petrol MG 3s weigh nearly 250kg more than automatic Swift Hybrids.

At more than 1300kg, MG 3 Hybrid+ models are 351kg heavier than their automatic Swift rivals.

Servicing and warranty

MG Australia offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for its model range, including the new MG 3.

Hybrid models have a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for their high-voltage battery systems, while all models come with a seven-year roadside assistance plan.

MG also offers a capped-price servicing plan for seven years.

Suzuki offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with the new Swift Hybrid, with servicing required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Service pricing is outlined on Suzuki’s website, with the first five services costing a total of $1955 across the lineup.

Safety

The new MG 3 has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but it has gained a lot of advanced safety features the previous version missed out on.

All MG 3 models feature the following safety tech as standard:

• 6 airbags
  • Dual front
  • Dual front-side
  • Dual side curtain
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Lane-keep assist with emergency function
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Intelligent cruise assist
  • Traffic jam assist
  • Steering, acceleration, braking assistance
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Intelligent speed assist
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Tyre pressure monitoring

Essence models add:

• Surround-view camera

Hybrid+ models add:

• External pedestrian warning system

The new Suzuki Swift Hybrid has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. A lot of safety tech previously available on more expensive Swift variants has been made standard on more affordable models.

All Suzuki Swift Hybrid models feature the following safety tech as standard:

• 6 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane departure warning with prevention function
• Weaving alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• High beam assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Hill hold control

Hybrid Plus models add:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert

Standard features

The MG 3 range is split into Excite and Essence variants, with some minor differences between the petrol and hybrid versions of each.

The Excite features the following equipment as standard:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Space-saver spare wheel
• Front and rear disc brakes
• Halogen headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• Automatic headlights
• Rear fog light
• Front USB-A and USB-C ports
• Rear USB-A port
• 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-way manual driver’s seat adjustment
• Four-way manual passenger’s seat adjustment
• Rear air vents

Hybrid+ models add:

• No spare wheel – tyre repair kit
• Automatic climate control function
• Dial-type gear selector
• Drive modes

Essence models add (over Excite):

• Projector LED headlights
• Keyless entry system
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Sunroof
• Fake leather and cloth trim
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Rear map pockets
• Front centre armrest
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Connected mobile services (iSmart compatibility)

MORE: Everything MG 3

The Swift Hybrid is split into three main grades, though a manual transmission is only available with the cheapest version.

The base Swift Hybrid features the following equipment as standard:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• Front disc brakes
• Rear drum brakes
• LED headlights
• Rear fog light
• Digital speedometer
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Satellite navigation
• 12V outlet
• USB phone connection port
• All-black upholstery
• Keyless entry and start
• Heated side mirrors
• Stop/start function

Hybrid Plus models add:

• 16-inch painted alloy wheels
• Rear privacy glass
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Premium fabric seats
• Two-tone grey and black upholstery
• USB-A and USB-C charging outlets
• Driver’s seat height adjustment

Hybrid GLX models add:

• 16-inch polished alloy wheels
• Automatic climate control
• Wireless phone charger
• Power-folding side mirrors with built-in indicators
• Paddle shifters
• Rear heater duct

MORE: Everything Suzuki Swift