MG3 Vibe and BYD Atto 1 now tied as Australia's cheapest new car at $19,990 

Key highlights

• The MG 3 Vibe is available for $19,990 drive-away until the end of September 2026, unless the offer is extended.
• The discount applies to private buyers purchasing new or selected demonstrator vehicles, excluding fleet and rental customers.
• The MG 3 Vibe now matches the BYD Atto 1 Essential at $19,990 drive-away as Australia’s joint-cheapest new car.

MG 3 Vibe, the brand’s cheapest hatch is back under the $20,000 mark, and you don’t need to be an existing MG owner to get the deal. As of 24 September 2026, the MG3 Vibe is advertised at $19,990 drive-away for private buyers, which ties it with the BYD Atto 1 Essential as Australia’s cheapest new car.

It’s the first time the Vibe has dipped below $20,000 for everyone since the current-generation MG3 arrived more than two years ago. The deal has been running since the middle of the year. The BYD Atto 1 Essential only joined it at $19,990 last week after its own discount, which is why the pair are now being compared head to head.

Read more: 2027 MG U9 EV priced from $78,990 in Australia

What does the MG 3 Vibe offer?

The MG 3 Vibe sits at the bottom of the current MG 3 range, below the Excite and Essence variants. MG’s regular pricing for the petrol range is higher, with the MG 3 Excite petrol priced at $23,990 drive-away under the current offer and the MG 3 Essence petrol at $25,990 drive-away.

The MG 3 is also available with MG’s Hybrid+ powertrain, although those variants remain considerably more expensive. The Excite Hybrid+ starts at $28,490 and the Essence Hybrid+ at $30,490, with both prices including an additional $500 cashback. For buyers focused purely on the lowest possible new-car purchase price, the Vibe’s $19,990 offer is therefore the relevant one.

How long does the $19,990 price last?

The $19,990 drive-away price applies to new and selected demonstrator MG 3 Vibe vehicles. It is not available to fleet, government, hire or rental buyers. The cashback cannot be taken as cash or combined with other MG offers. The deal is part of a broader round of MG discounts currently being used across its Australian range. MG is also offering discounts on models including the MG 4, MG ZS, MG 5, MG HS and its newer electric vehicles.

There are separate clearance deals on some 2025-build MG 3s, with those vehicles advertised between $22,990 and $28,990 drive-away depending on variant. For a private buyer shopping for a basic new hatchback, however, the current Vibe offer is the one that changes the market’s entry point.

MG 3 vs BYD Atto 1

The price overlap is notable because both cars now occupy the same position at the bottom of Australia’s new-car market. The BYD Atto 1 Essential recently dropped to $19,990 drive-away, meaning buyers comparing the two can now consider a petrol MG 3 and an electric BYD at the same advertised drive-away price.

That does not make the cars equivalent. The MG 3 Vibe uses a conventional petrol powertrain, while the Atto 1 is an electric hatchback. Buyers will also need to consider their access to charging, driving requirements and the equipment offered by each car rather than looking at the headline price alone.

The MG offer is currently scheduled to run only until the end of September, so its position at the bottom of the Australian new-car market could change again if either manufacturer adjusts pricing.