New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
Hmmm not sure. I still can’t get my head around the fact that MG (aka Morris garages) is now owned by China!
Designed and headquartered in UK built in China lamd.
One out of three correct, not great.
Modern MGs are designed and developed in Shanghai (that’s where MGs Design Studio is located), with additional input for the european market from a London branch. They are, as you stated correctly, also built in China. Lastly, MGs does not have a headquarter in the UK. The “main headquarter” sits in China, the “european headquarter” sits in the Netherlands.
There’s nothing british about MG anymore. The general brand manager is named Lu Jianjun. The only reason they don’t sell under “SAIC” or any of the other weird chinese names (Maxus, Rising Auto etc are all part of SAIC, too) is simply the negative connotation.
I don’t know which one is the first “chinese” MG, but i know that the MG4, MG ZS etc are all designed, engineered and built by SAIC in China. That’s the reason as to why new MG models are revealed at Auto Guangzhou, rather than a UK (or other european based) car show.
That all said, without stepping on toes and having driven an MG F a (many) few years ago.. I don’t think MG being “Chynah” is detrimental to the quality. They’re, in terms of quality, in a much better place than ever before, nowadays.
As to the topic, for me personally, there’s a bit of conflicting “wants”. You’d like it to be rather small, but also a good motorway cruiser. Those two things are hard to combine, since a good motorway cruiser has a longer(ish) wheelbase, as well as being reasonably aerodynamic. Meaning Superminis and SUVs are always a compromise by necessity.
If i were you, i’d go with something compact or above, not SUV (“Golf class”). Meaning from your list, the A3, and.. that’s it. I’d have said Golf, but the A3 is in most regards simply a better Golf (other than price) – so that’s kinda pointless. If you do like the CLA but think it’s too big, check the A-Class – it’s simply a CLA with the boot cut off, basically. Stupid expensive though, due to being PHEV – also just really a consideration if you can charge at home.
Another option would be the BMW 2series. It’s slightly longer than an A3, but also shorter than a CLA. Downside being that it’s a bit anaemic on power, but for motorway that’s perfectly serviceable.
Lastly, despite being french, Peugeot 308. Gorgeous interior imho, very well built, too – but you have to test-sit to be able to determine whether or not you fit. I personally do not, because i’m reasonably tall, the steering wheel obscures the instrument cluster (or hits my knee if i want to adjust it).
Out of all the options, i personally would probably go with either an A3 or 2series, to be honest. If you want small, the CLA ain’t it (it’s 4.7m long, as opposed to the 4.5m of a 2series or 4.35m of an A3, the A1 being 4.01m) – so if you consider an A3 potentially too big, a CLA is out of the question.
This is just me though, if you’re happy with the size and “motorway behaviour” of an A1, you can “retrofit” gas struts for 20 quid. It’s a 10 minute job even as someone with two left hands, i can link some if you require. Just gotta take them back out again before you give the car back, these don’t require drilling or anything, just “plug and play”. Yeah sure, we’re not supposed to modify the cars, but if the car can go back to absolutely 100% original without any marks or whatever, why not. Bit like different floor mats or seat covers, imho.
Lastly.. I wouldn’t touch a jeep with a 10ft pole. My father in law got one (Compass i think), and it’s.. agrarian, i’d call it. More squeaks and creaks than Clint Eastwood bones.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.