THE MG4 has been a well-deserved success for MG and I believe the new MG3 Hybrid+ will follow in its siblings footsteps.

Two flavours are available in the UK, SE and Trophy, each with the new Hybrid+ powertrain, which has a larger battery fitted and a more powerful motor, compared to the rest of the hybrid supermini market.

The new MG3 is also more spacious than the outgoing model, while keeping the compact footprint that makes it such a popular model, particularly for those mainly covering urban driving routes.

Despite focusing on efficiency, MG's Hybrid+ powertrain makes the MG3 the fastest accelerating hybrid compact model in the class, with a 0-62mph sprint time of eight seconds. Accelerating to motorway speeds (50-70mph) is equally impressive, at just five seconds.

The five-door hatchback features a four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine and 100kW electric motor, as well as a separate generator motor. It can be driven in five modes - EV, Series, Series and Charge, Drive and Charge, and Parallel - each automatically selected by the Hybrid+ system.

EV mode is self-explanatory. In Series, the engine runs through to the generator, which powers the electric motor for drive. Series and Charge tops up the battery when under low-load. Under Drive and Charge, the engine drives the wheels while also charging the battery through the generator. In Parallel, both engines drive the wheels.

Producing a combined 192bhp, the MG3 Hybrid+ officially returns 64mpg and 100g/km CO2. Certainly, around town you should manage at least 60mpg but, after 350 miles of town and motorway driving, I managed an average of 52.3mpg.

Drivers can also tailor the MG3's responsiveness with the choice of three driving modes - Eco, Standard and Sport. Eco is obviously best for fuel economy, while Standard provides a blend between economy and performance.

Sport sees a more responsive set-up, getting the best out of the power output, delivering some of the best performance figures in the hybrid supermini class. It's good fun to drive with plenty of grip should you push it through a sweeping corner.

The ride is a little firm but I did 140 miles in one stint and it was very comfortable, if a little noisy on the motorway. It will certainly carry four ‘normal' size adults in comfort on longer trips. Around town, it's very quiet as it spends most of the time in EV mode.

New from the ground up, the MG3 is longer and wider than its predecessor, freeing up more interior space for occupants, as well as offering the largest boot space in its hybrid class at 293 litres. However, while the rear bench folds flat, it doesn't split.

Drivers have a seven-inch digital instrument screen, as well as a 10.25-inch central infotainment system. MG claims to have enhanced its graphics and responsiveness but I found it lacking, leading to lots of angry finger-jabbing. A bank of piano-key switches has been retained on the centre console for the best-used functions.

There's oodles of standard equipment such as sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 16-inch alloys, aircon, a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, four USB ports, and rear parking sensors and camera.

The range-toppingTrophy trim adds leather upholstery, keyless entry, heated front seats and steering wheel, LED headlights and a 360-degree camera.

Safety is delivered through MG's very good ‘Pilot' technology, which includes Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Traffic Jam Assist.

However, especially in town, you'll want to switch off the speed camera warning signal which wails like a banshee.

With the Ford Fiesta going off sale, the future could be bright for the MG3..