MG Hector

MG Motor India has launched the Hector Blackstorm Edition from Rs 21.25 lakh (ex-showroom). It is the third MG product to get the Blackstorm treatment following the Gloster and Astor. It is based on the one-below-top Sharp Pro variant and commands a premium of Rs 25,000 over it. The Blackstorm Edition gets an all-black treatment with red inserts inside and out.

MG Motor's first car in India, the Hector, received a significant update in early 2023. There are changes in how it looks, new ‘Pro’ variants, and new features as well. As expected, the prices have gone up as well.

For a similar price as the MG Hector 2023, you can consider options such as the Tata Harrier, Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV700 which are in the segment of 4.6-4.7 metre-long SUVs. The base and mid variants of the Hector are similar to higher variants of smaller SUVs such as the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and the MG Astor.

Looks

The Hector has always looked bold, mainly due to lots of shiny chrome on the front. Design changes are not huge, but they are definitely noticeable. The grille is now larger and has diamond-shaped chrome designs. There's more black around the grille, making it appear a little sportier. But if you don't like a lot of chrome on your car, you might think it's too much.

MG has kept the same split auto-LED headlights as before, and they're still in the bumper, along with LED fog lamps. The LED daytime running lights (DRLs) are still above the headlights. The front bumper, has been redesigned to fit the bigger grille. You will also notice the radar for the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in the skid plate. 

There are no changes to the side look. The higher variants of the Hector still have the same 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, while the lower variants have 17-inch wheels. Considering the size of the Hector, 19-inch wheels would have looked even better. The updated Hector also keeps the body side cladding with chrome additions and the 'Morris Garages' logo, just like before.

The new Hector 2023 has LED taillights that are now connected, with lighting elements in the center. The 'Internet Inside' badge has been replaced with one that says 'ADAS’. You will also notice a larger ‘H E C T O R’ branding on the boot. A chrome strip now goes across the full width of the car's back, and the rear bumper has been updated a bit too.

Overall, the Hector continues to impress with its large size. It scores high on road presence and the updates help the Hector stand out a little more than before.

Interior

The interior features a beige-black dual-tone colour scheme, which makes it feel open and spacious. MG has redesigned the dashboard, mostly to make space for the larger touchscreen. It has also added some silver and chrome touches around the AC vents giving it a luxurious feel. There are soft touch materials on the upper part of the dashboard, door panels, and above the glovebox. However, the lower half is made of hard plastic, which is disappointing. There are also new air vents in the center and the start/stop button is now square instead of round. Plus, there's a new gear shift lever.

The center console has also been redesigned and now has a lot of silver trim around the gear lever, cup holders, and other controls. This centre console seamlessly joins the touchscreen with the armrest, like a luxury car. The armrest has a slide function, and you have some storage space underneath it as well.

MG has opted for light beige leatherette seat covers. The front seats provide good support and comfort. You can adjust the seat electrically, and there's enough space for even 6 foot tall people with plenty of headroom and legroom. Finding a comfortable position is easy and you will have a clear view through the windshield.

Rear seat experience has always been a strong point for the Hector. In the 2023 model, not much has changed. Occupants get their own AC vents, cup holders, and a place to put their phone with a fast-charging USB port.

There's plenty of headroom and legroom, but when there are more than two people, shoulder space becomes limited. Luckily, there's no hump on the floor in the middle, so the person in the center has enough legroom. MG made the rear seats slide and recline for extra comfort, and all three rear passengers have adjustable headrests.

We think the rear seats are a little flat and could be better if it had more cushioning on the sides and for the underthigh. The Hector scores high in terms of sense of space, thanks to the light interior and the large windows. Do note that it can get quite hot inside the cabin in peak summer due to the large glass area. MG could’ve considered offering rear window sunshades to limit this problem.

Boot Space

The Hector has a large 587-litre boot space that can comfortably hold all your luggage for a weekend drive. It also has a split rear seat that can be divided 60:40, so you can carry more bags if required. The inclusion of a powered boot is a helpful addition. 

Features

Whatever you expect in a vehicle of this size and price, MG has provided all those features. This includes

You would expect the new 14” touchscreen to be the star of the show. While the display quality is great and there’s Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the response time of the system is slow. The voice command system also does not function accurately all the time. The audio output from the ‘Infinity’ branded system is appreciable, however. 

Safety

The Hector comes with a range of safety features, including electronic stability program (ESP), traction control system, hill-hold assist, as many as six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera.

With the facelift, the Hector's safety features have been improved to include ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). Features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning. 

It's important to note that ADAS is there to assist the driver, not take full control, especially in busy traffic like ours. It works best on roads where lane markings are clear such as highways and expressways. The system is calibrated well, and functions smoothly enhancing the safety quotient of the SUV. 

Performance

MG Hector engine options include a 2.0-litre diesel and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The diesel engine is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission only. With the petrol you get the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission and a CVT (automatic)

1.5-litre Petrol

The petrol engine does not feel underpowered for the size of the Hector. Whether you're driving in the city or on the highway, the Hector petrol feels easy to drive.

It does not feel engaging or exciting like the larger 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine on the Mahindra XUV700. However, for daily driving and relaxed highway trips, you will not have a complain. Between the manual and the automatic, we will recommend that you stretch your budget for the automatic. It makes the experience even more stress-free. If you enjoy driving in a calm manner, the Hector petrol will not disappoint. 

Do note that fuel efficiency is not particularly impressive with this engine. If usage is high, we would recommend you consider the diesel engine option instead. 

2.0-litre Diesel

This 2.0-litre engine is developed by Fiat/Jeep and is used in the Tata Harrier/Safari and the Jeep Compass/Meridian. Refinement is not a strong point here, and you will here noise inside the cabin and feel vibrations as well. 

There is some lag under 1500rpm, but after that the acceleration is impressive. This engine is best suited for those who do a lot of highway trips or if usage is over 50km per day. The only downside here is that this engine is not available with an automatic transmission. A diesel-automatic combination is offered by both — Tata and Mahindra.

Ride and Handling

One of the Hector's notable strengths has always been its comfortable ride quality. It continues to excel at smoothing out most bumps and uneven road surfaces, keeping passengers comfortable. The only time you might feel some side-to-side swaying and harsh bumps in the cabin is on rough roads at lower speeds. At highway speeds, the Hector remains stable and confident. 

We like that the steering is light, making it easier to drive inside the city and park. As speeds increase, there’s enough weight in the steering for the driver to feel comfortable carrying speed. 

Verdict

The MG Hector has stuck to the basics of space, comfort and quality. If you priortise these aspects, consider buying this SUV. However, if you want a more engaging driving experience, you can consider other options.