A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Dawn and MG3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Dawn
MG3
Maximum Power
Dawn420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
MG375 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Dawn820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
MG3128 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Engine Size
Dawn6592 cc
MG31498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Dawn6.99 km/l
MG323.26 km/l
Ground Clearance
Dawn149 mm
MG3149 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Dawn
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
Dawn
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
MG3
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Dawn
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
MG3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Model Introduced Year
2016
2025
Generation
Dawn four-seat convertible; this archive profile uses the MY17 World specification corroborated by a February 2018 South African road test.
Current-generation five-door MG3 offered locally with naturally aspirated petrol and self-charging hybrid powertrains.
Facelift History
The MY17 configuration is kept separate from the 2015 launch specification, which published different length, torque, acceleration, consumption and CO2 figures.
South African launch specification introduced in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2017
2025
Facelift Version Ending
2023
Current
Body Style
Convertible
Five-door hatchback
Model Year
2017
2026
Production Status
discontinued
active
Segment
Ultra-luxury convertible
Compact Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Passenger car
Hatchback
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Length
5295 mm
4113 mm
Width
1947 mm
1797 mm
Height
1502 mm
1502 mm
Wheelbase
3112 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
149 mm
149 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
149 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
36 l
Boot/Cargo Space
321 l
293 l
Kerb Weight
2560 kg
1308 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3040 kg
1766 kg
Payload Capacity
480 kg
458 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
2 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.35 m
5.25 m
Front Headroom
1018 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
963 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1054 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
937 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Engine
6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
1.5-litre Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Code
N74B66A
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
6592 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
12
4
Cylinder Layout
V
Inline
Valves
48
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Multipoint Injection
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
89 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
88.3 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
75 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
128 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
155 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
425 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
2
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front
Drive Type
RWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
3-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
5.0 sec
8.0 sec
Quarter Mile
12.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Low
Eco, Standard, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
164.1 kW/tonne
118.50 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
320.3 Nm/tonne
324.92 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
1.83 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Gearbox
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
3-Speed Automatic hybrid transmission
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
2.813
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
8
3
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Steering-column selector for 8-speed automatic
Hybrid
Drivetrain
RWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Hybrid transmission
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Two axles
Front-wheel drive
Transmission Speeds
8
3
LSD Available
Not confirmed
Not Available
Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Claimed Mileage
6.99 km/l
23.26 km/l
City Mileage
4.59 km/l
27.03 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.10 km/l
20.41 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
36 l
Emission Standard
EU6
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No automatic engine stop/start
Standard
Real-world Mileage
6.99 km/l
23.26 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
82
36
Combined Driving Range
575 km
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
522.93 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
ESP
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Hill-start assist
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Applicable
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
LATCH child-seat anchor system
Standard
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Front Park Distance Control
Not Available
AEB
Available
Standard
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Not Applicable
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Hill-start assist
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Standard
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Standard
Stability Control
ESP
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Front active knee protection
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Cruise Control
Automatic Cruise Control
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Optional
Standard
Parking Sensors
Park-distance system
Rear
Rear View Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Available
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Glare-free high-beam technology
Standard
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed wipers
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear Park Distance Control
Standard
Reverse Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Standard
Park Assist
Front and rear parking sensors
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Pre-collision safety system
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Optional
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not confirmed
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not confirmed
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not confirmed
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not confirmed
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Seat Material
Leather
PVC + Fabric
Heated Seats
Front; standard
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Optional front ventilated seats
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Optional – Atmospheric Interior Environment
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
PU
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment and memory
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Leather
PVC + Fabric
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Climate Control
Individual front and rear climate controls
Single-zone air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Entry keyless access
Standard
Push Button Start
Keyless ignition
Standard
Sunroof
Not Applicable
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Smart power opening and closing luggage-compartment lid
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Individual front and rear climate controls
Single-zone air conditioning
Wireless Charging
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Infotainment System
Multimedia interface and navigation with Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller
10.25-inch infotainment display
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
18
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Analogue instruments with Power Reserve gauge
7-inch driver display
USB Ports
Standard
2 front USB-C ports (1 full-function, 1 charging)
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch high-definition display
10.25-inch
Touchscreen
10.25-inch high-definition display
10.25-inch
Apple CarPlay
Not confirmed
Wireless
Android Auto
Not confirmed
Wireless
Spec
Dawn
MG3
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke exterior colour commissioning
Flare Red, Morning Yellow, Pearl Black, York White, Hampstead Grey, St. Moritz Blue, Blade Silver
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Applicable
Not Available
Fog Lamps
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Approach Angle
Not confirmed
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
Not confirmed
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Tyre Size
Front 255/45 R20 101Y; rear 285/40 R20 104Y
195/55 R16
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
No spare wheel; run-flat tyres
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
Front 8.5 x 20; rear 9.5 x 20
16-inch
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on the rear wheels
Electric
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
MacPherson
Rear Suspension
Multi-link pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Torsion Beam
Spec
Dawn
MG3
CO2 Emissions
326 g/km
100 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Designed for 95 RON; minimum 91 RON
-
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Service Plan
4 years, unlimited kilometres
MG3-specific service plan
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Ownership Role
Historical South African Dawn derivative launched locally in March 2016 and documented locally in 2018; the March 2022 global Dawn order-book closure is an outer bound, not proof of the exact South African withdrawal year, while production ended in 2023.
Passenger vehicle
Pricing Role
Historical price on application
Current South African MSRP
Price Zar
Not confirmed
469900 ZAR
Starting Price
Not confirmed
469900
Starting Price Zar
Not confirmed
469900
Spec
Dawn
MG3
Warranty
4 years, unlimited kilometres
5 years / 150,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Dawn and MG3 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Dawn 97 vs MG3 40.
Efficiency index: Dawn 31 vs MG3 90.
Safety-equipment index: Dawn 90 vs MG3 92.
Practicality index: Dawn 52 vs MG3 48.
Ownership-cover index: Dawn not separately scored vs MG3 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Dawn and MG3 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Dawn leads by 4 points
Dawn and MG3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Dawn +57
Efficiency
MG3 +59
Safety
MG3 +2
Practicality
Dawn +4
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Dawn
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
52/100
MG3
Performance
40/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRolls-Royce Dawn
leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts
vs 66 pts for MG3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Dawn leads. However, MG3 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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