Yes , that's the feature .
The same publication in their Dec 2015 review also mentions it , so it has made it to the 2015 model
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/moto-g-1300373/review/2
(on page 2 , under software )
//The active display feature is one part that's a little out of the ordinary. It's a toned-down version of the always-on display of the Moto X, which shows the time and other bits of info on-screen while the phone is in standby.
In the Moto G it turns part of the screen on when you get a notification and when you pick it up (most of the time, anyway). It gives you a brief glance at what's going on with your phone without needing to bring it out of standby. Plus it gives you the time //
This feature on mine does not work at all - so i'm wondering if it's a fault on the phone .