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MG MG3 vs VW Golf Variant comparison

Compare performance (194 HP vs 204 HP), boot space and price (15,400 £ vs 28,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – MG MG3 or VW Golf Variant?

MG MG3 vs VW Golf Variant: Key differences

MG MG3

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • slightly lighter
details

VW Golf Variant

  • barely more power
  • only slightly more efficient
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

MG3

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

MG MG3 is substantially cheaper – starting at 15,400 £ , while the VW Golf Variant costs 28,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 13,427 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf Variant uses 4.3 L/100km and is only slightly more efficient than the MG MG3 with 4.4 L/100km. The difference is about 0.1 L/100km.

Golf Variant

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the VW Golf Variant offers barely more power – delivering 204 HP compared to 194 HP. That’s roughly 10 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf Variant is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 6.5 s, while the MG MG3 takes 8 s. That’s about 1.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Golf Variant delivers substantially more torque with 360 Nm compared to 148 Nm. That’s about 212 Nm more.

MG3

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, MG MG3 is slightly lighter – 1,237 kg compared to 1,366 kg. The difference is around 129 kg.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf Variant carries a bit more – 547 kg compared to 448 kg. That’s a difference of about 99 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf Variant shows a few small advantages in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £28,800
Golf Variant

VW Golf Variant

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 204 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 4.3 - 7 L/100km
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Frequently compared as well

MG MG3
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If you're after cheap thrills and nimble city driving, the MG3 is the plucky choice — inexpensive, quirky and perfect for tight car parks. But for real-world practicality, range and a more modern feel, the MG4's stylish hatch and EV tech make it the smarter buy for daily drivers who want a bit of …
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VW Golf Variant

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

MG MG3

The MG3 is a cheeky city hatch that pairs bold, youthful styling with sprightly handling for drivers who want personality on a budget. Its cabin is bright and cleverly packaged, offering sensible space and a fun-to-drive character that turns mundane commutes into something a bit more enjoyable.

details
KV-1-1
Left-Back-30°-1
Front-Row-Space-1
Trunk-3

Reviews MG MG3

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
Giorgio catacchio
20 Sept 2025, 00:08:28

I've owned the MG3 Hybrid for a year — I travel a lot, never a dull moment; comes fully loaded as standard, incredible acceleration, etc.

VW Golf Variant

The Golf Estate packs Volkswagen's familiar poise into a practical, grown-up estate that quietly makes everyday life easier without shouting for attention. It's clever, comfortable and roomy enough for weekend kit or family chaos, offering smart packaging and refined manners that make it a sensible and surprisingly stylish choice for buyers who need space but don't want a van.

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DB2021AU00446_medium
DB2021AU00624_medium
DB2021AU00625_medium
DB2021AU00816_medium
DB2021AU00818_medium
DB2021AU00641_medium
DB2021AU00910_medium

Reviews VW Golf Variant

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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MG MG3
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MG MG3
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MG MG3
VW Golf Variant

Costs and Consumption
Price
15,400 - 21,400 £
Price
28,800 - 38,800 £
Consumption L/100km
4.4 - 6.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
100 - 137 g/km
co2
114 - 159 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,237 - 1,285 kg
Curb weight
1,366 - 1,551 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
611 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,797 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
373 - 448 kg
Payload
509 - 547 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 194 HP
Power HP
116 - 204 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 10.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
148 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 143 kW
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Engine capacity
1,490 - 1,495 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, C
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, C
Brand
MG
Brand
VW
What drive types are available for the MG MG3?

The MG MG3 is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.