2026 MG3 and ZS Hybrid+: Refined Full Hybrids, 194-196 PS, From GBP 19,995

MG Motor UK announced on 28 September 2026 a round of upgrades to the MG3 Hybrid+ supermini and the MG ZS Hybrid+ compact SUV, the two smaller of its three Hybrid+ models. Both are HEV (full hybrid, not plug-in): a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a large traction motor, a small 1.83 kWh battery and a dedicated three-speed automatic that drives the front wheels, with nothing to plug in. The hardware changes are inside the powertrain, where MG says revised traction motor and generator hardware gives better sustained performance with less noise and vibration, and in the cabin, where both cars gain new upholstery and the ZS gains a 360-degree camera and a wireless phone charger as standard. System output stays at 194 PS (143 kW, about 191 hp) for the MG3 and 196 PS (144 kW, about 193 hp) for the ZS. In the UK the MG3 Hybrid+ now starts at £19,995 and the ZS Hybrid+ at £23,995, and in Israel the importer Car-East lists the ZS Hybrid from ₪137,888, subject to Car-East's cash-deal terms, and the MG3 Hybrid from ₪127,888, which is the page headline with the entry trim unverified.

Performance & Specs

Both cars use the same Hybrid+ system. MG's UK launch release for the ZS describes a 102 PS 1.5-litre petrol engine (75 kW) working with a 136 PS (100 kW) traction motor that makes 250 Nm, for a combined 196 PS, and a 45 kW generator that recharges the battery while driving. The MG3 Hybrid+ uses the same Hybrid+ system, and MG's September 2026 release states 194 PS for the hatchback, which is 143 kW or about 191 hp. The ZS reaches 62 mph in 8.7 seconds according to MG, and independent listings and Car-East give 8.0 seconds for the MG3; independent UK listings show a top speed of about 104 mph (168 km/h) for the ZS and about 106 mph (170 km/h) for the MG3. (PS is the metric horsepower, about 1.4 percent smaller than the imperial hp used here.)

The September 2026 upgrade keeps the same 1.83 kWh high-voltage battery and the same dedicated three-speed automatic, but MG says the revised traction motor and generator allow what it calls a more electrified drive, with quicker response and a quieter cabin. MG does not publish new power or torque figures for the upgrade; it states that the MG3 Hybrid+ retains its 194 PS, and Auto Express reports that peak output is unchanged at 191 bhp. MG also describes the ZS Hybrid+ as an efficient 196 PS powertrain that needs no plugging in. Because the output has not changed, the practical difference should be in refinement and in how often the electric motor, rather than the engine, does the work.

Efficiency is the headline for a car in this price band. MG quotes the MG3 Hybrid+ at up to 64.2 mpg (4.4 L/100 km) combined on the WLTP cycle with CO2 from 100 g/km, and it states that these figures are retained after the upgrade. For the ZS Hybrid+ SE, MG's launch release gives 55.4 mpg (5.1 L/100 km) WLTP combined and 115 g/km, and MG Germany prints the same 5.1 L/100 km and 115 g/km for the ZS; MG's 2026 release does not restate a fuel-economy figure for the ZS, so the launch number is the latest official one. Israel's importer Car-East gives 4.4 L/100 km for the MG3 Hybrid. These are laboratory figures, and a hybrid with a 1.83 kWh battery depends heavily on the driving pattern, so motorway use will land closer to the engine's own efficiency than city use.

Powertrain	Full hybrid (HEV), front-wheel drive, 3-speed automatic
Power	MG3: 143 kW (194 PS / 191 hp); ZS: 144 kW (196 PS / 193 hp)
Torque	250 Nm (traction motor)
0–100 km/h	MG3 8.0 s; ZS 8.7 s
Battery	1.83 kWh (cannot be plugged in)
Fuel economy	MG3 up to 64.2 mpg (4.4 L/100 km); ZS SE 55.4 mpg (5.1 L/100 km), WLTP combined

POWERTRAIN TYPE	Full hybrid (HEV), not plug-in; 1.5-litre petrol engine, traction motor and generator
HORSEPOWER	MG3: 143 kW (194 PS / 191 hp); ZS: 144 kW (196 PS / 193 hp)
ACCELERATION	MG3 0-62 mph in 8.0 s; ZS 0-62 mph in 8.7 s
TOP SPEED	About 170 km/h (MG3), 168 km/h (ZS)
DRIVETRAIN	FWD, dedicated 3-speed automatic
BATTERY	1.83 kWh high-voltage
FUEL ECONOMY	MG3 up to 64.2 mpg (4.4 L/100 km), from 100 g/km; ZS SE 55.4 mpg (5.1 L/100 km), 115 g/km (WLTP combined)

Dimensions & Practicality

Length	4,113 mm
Width	1,797 mm (without mirrors)
Height	1,502 mm
Wheelbase	2,570 mm
Boot	293 L

Length	4,430 mm
Width	1,818 mm (without mirrors)
Height	1,635 mm
Wheelbase	2,610 mm
Boot	443 L / 1,457 L seats folded

The MG3 is a 4,113 mm hatchback on a 2,570 mm wheelbase, and MG's UK specification table gives 293 L of boot space for both the SE and the Trophy. It is 317 mm shorter than the ZS, and its split-folding rear seats add flexibility, although independent reviewers note that the backrest does not fold completely flat. The ZS is a 4,430 mm compact SUV with a 2,610 mm wheelbase, 161 mm of ground clearance and a boot of 443 L that grows to 1,457 L with the rear seats folded, according to MG. MG says the ZS also carries 30 storage spaces in the cabin, and the Trophy gains a power tailgate for easier loading.

LENGTH	MG3 4,113 mm; ZS 4,430 mm
WIDTH	MG3 1,797 mm (without mirrors); ZS 1,818 mm (without mirrors)
HEIGHT	MG3 1,502 mm; ZS 1,635 mm
WHEELBASE	MG3 2,570 mm; ZS 2,610 mm
CARGO VOLUME	MG3 293 L; ZS 443 L (1,457 L seats folded)
GROUND CLEARANCE	ZS 161 mm

Charging & Battery

Neither car can be plugged in, so there is no charging port, no AC or DC charging speed and no electric range figure to quote. The 1.83 kWh battery is topped up by the 45 kW generator driven by the petrol engine and by regenerative braking when the driver lifts off or brakes. MG calls this a self-charging system and describes automatic switching between EV, Hybrid and Engine Drive modes on the MG3, and between EV and Hybrid modes on the ZS. MG lists an EV mode on both cars, but because the battery is only 1.83 kWh it does not publish an electric-only range. MG Israel says the hybrid models carry an 8-year or 150,000 km battery warranty, against the seven-year general warranty that MG UK and Car-East both quote (MG UK limits it to 80,000 miles).

BATTERY	1.83 kWh high-voltage (HEV, capacity as quoted by MG)
AC CHARGING	None (cannot be plugged in)
DC FAST CHARGING	None
ENERGY RECOVERY	45 kW generator and regenerative braking

Design & Interior

The MG3 has a sharp front end with an open grille, light-trailed tail lamps and a roof spoiler, and on UK cars 16-inch Atlas alloy wheels, with the Hybrid+ badge shown in the press images. The ZS has a wide grille with slim LED headlights, silver roof rails and a rear spoiler, and the Trophy adds 18-inch Sabre alloys; Emerald Green joins the ZS metallic paint palette with this update. Inside, both cars carry new upholstery from this update: black cloth with a new design in the SE versions and black leather-style and suede-style trim in the Trophy versions. On the ZS, the Trophy also brings an opening panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The choice between the two is mostly about size and equipment. The ZS adds a taller driving position, 150 more litres of boot space with the seats up and a larger 12.3-inch screen in place of the MG3's 10.25-inch display, and in return costs £4,000 more at SE level in the UK. MG's Trophy trim adds comfort and driver-assistance equipment on both cars, and on the MG3 the step from SE to Trophy is £2,000 according to MG's prices.

Technology & Features

The MG3 has a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a seven-inch digital driver display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bluetooth key and the MG iSMART app. The ZS has a 12.3-inch HD infotainment screen and a seven-inch digital cluster with the same wireless smartphone connection and Bluetooth key. After the September 2026 update the ZS SE gains a wireless phone charger and a 360-degree HD camera with rear parking sensors, the MG3 Trophy keeps its 360-degree camera, and iSMART functions such as remote lock, locating the parked car, monitoring fuel and tyre pressure and pre-setting the climate are available through the app. One of the press images shows the wireless charging pad that is now standard on the ZS SE.

Safety & ADAS

MG Pilot is MG's driver-assistance suite. On the ZS it is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist with lane departure warning and emergency lane keeping, active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, forward collision warning, blind zone detection with lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, intelligent speed limit assist and a driver monitoring system. On the MG3 the suite includes adaptive cruise control and active emergency braking as standard, with rear cross traffic alert and blind zone detection with lane change assist on the Trophy only. MG Australia lists a five-star ANCAP rating for the ZS, but it applies only to builds from 4 December 2025 (which add a centre airbag); earlier hybrids have four stars. MG UK does not state a Euro NCAP result for either car on the pages read.

ADAS LEVEL	Level 2 driver assistance (MG Pilot); level not stated by MG
ADAS FEATURES	Adaptive cruise control, active emergency braking, lane keep assist (ZS), blind zone detection and rear cross traffic alert (ZS; Trophy on the MG3), 360° camera

Available Versions

VERSION	POWER	TORQUE	0-100	TOP SPEED	DRIVETRAIN	BATTERY	EV RANGE	COMBINED RANGE	PRICE	KEY DIFFERENCES
MG3 Hybrid+ SE	191 hp	250 Nm (motor)	8.0s	170 km/h	FWD	1.83 kWh	—	—	£19,995 (~$26,569)	143 kW (194 PS), 16-inch alloys, 10.25-inch screen, new black cloth; 4.4 L/100 km WLTP (HEV)
MG3 Hybrid+ Trophy	191 hp	250 Nm (motor)	8.0s	170 km/h	FWD	1.83 kWh	—	—	£21,995 (~$29,227)	Leather- and suede-style seats, 360° camera, rear cross traffic alert, blind zone detection
ZS Hybrid+ SE	193 hp	250 Nm (motor)	8.7s	168 km/h	FWD	1.83 kWh	—	—	£23,995 (~$31,885)	144 kW (196 PS), 12.3-inch screen, 360° camera and wireless charger now standard; 5.1 L/100 km WLTP (HEV)
ZS Hybrid+ Trophy	193 hp	250 Nm (motor)	8.7s	168 km/h	FWD	1.83 kWh	—	—	£26,495 (~$35,207)	Price not stated in MG's release, but autoevolution lists it; 18-inch alloys, panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, heated seats and wheel

Pricing & Availability

In the UK, MG's release of 28 September 2026 gives the MG3 Hybrid+ from £19,995 for the SE and £21,995 for the Trophy, and the ZS Hybrid+ from £23,995 for the SE, with the upgraded cars available to order now. Auto Express reports that the Hybrid+ models rose by £1,000 with the update (autoevolution puts the MG3 rise at £500), and for the ZS the figure compares with £21,995 for the SE at the September 2024 launch. MG's release does not state a Trophy price for the ZS, but autoevolution lists the ZS Trophy Hybrid+ at £26,495, and the £21,495 that MG's headline quotes is the petrol ZS SE, not the Hybrid+. MG UK gives a seven-year or 80,000-mile warranty. In Ireland, the MG price list for September 2026 shows the MG3 HEV at €23,995 (Essence), €25,745 (Excite) and €27,995 (Exclusive), and the ZS HEV at €28,995, €31,495 and €33,995, as VAT-inclusive RRP before delivery charges; its 194 PS and 196 PS figures match the UK. MG Germany's ZS page prints a system output of 145 kW (197 PS) and a recommended price of €27,990 in a lease offer for orders placed in November and December 2025, so a current German list price was not confirmed. In Israel, Car-East (the Lubinsky Group importer) lists the ZS Hybrid from ₪137,888, subject to Car-East's cash-deal terms, after a cut from ₪155,888 in August 2026, and the MG3 Hybrid from ₪127,888, which is the page headline with the entry trim unverified, each with seven years of warranty or 150,000 km. In Australia, MG sells both as Hybrid+ models in Excite and Essence grades, but outlet prices disagree and no official figure could be confirmed.

How It Compares

Against the full hybrids in our catalogue, the ZS has more power and a lower UK price. The Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid 130 makes 128 hp, returns 4.4 to 5.1 L/100 km WLTP and costs £27,445 on the road in the UK, including 12 months of road tax and registration fees, so it is about £3,450 above the ZS SE's £23,995, although the two prices are not on the same basis, because MG's 2026 release does not say what its price includes. The Hyundai Kona Hybrid has 136 hp and 4.6 to 4.8 L/100 km WLTP, and it costs €33,450 in Germany before delivery charges, which is a different market and currency from the MG's British prices. The ZS has 65 hp more than the Toyota and 57 hp more than the Hyundai, and its 5.1 L/100 km WLTP figure sits at the upper end of the Toyota's band. The MG3 has no small-hatchback hybrid counterpart in our catalogue; with 4.4 L/100 km and a £19,995 starting price it is the cheaper and thriftier of the two MG hybrids, but its 293 L boot is 150 L smaller than the ZS's, the price of a lower, shorter body.