BENGALURU: Launched in 2019, MG Motor’s Hector has been a strong brand in the mid-size SUV market. To meet the fierce competition and demands of the market, MG has given Hector a thorough update, with more features, exciting technologies and cosmetic changes.
Morris Garages, a brand well known for its sports cars, roadsters and small cabriolet series have a legacy of 99 years. MG Hector was its first offering for India. Let’s have a look at how Hector competes with the other frontrunners.
Eye-catching ride
Hector now has a larger front grille with diamond-like chrome inserts. This gives the SUV more road presence. Along the sides, there is very little change, but at the rear, the Hector has LED lighting elements that connect the tail lamps on either end. Instead of the ‘Internet Inside’ badge, the brand new update has an ADAS badge at the rear. The new attractive bold HECTOR badging at the rear is also eye-catching. The 18-inch diamond cut alloys remain the same in this facelift model.
Bask in luxury
The mesmerising cabin is completely different from the old model. The dual-tone oak white and black interior and rich brushed metal finish ensure the cabin exudes luxury, amplified by the cockpit-like console. A 14-inch touchscreen is the main attraction. It has better resolution and touch response. It packs in a 360-degree camera, too.
Comfortable and cosy
A large panoramic sunroof elevates the cabin’s airy feel. The new model comes in five, six- and seven-seater configurations, and offers intelligently designed seating options, plush interiors, and ample space. Other notable features include auto headlamps and wipers, a powered tailgate, a wireless charger, connected car tech, an Infinity audio system, leatherette upholstery and a PM 2.5 air purifier.
The unit gets wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility and it can be used to open/close the sunroof, adjust the ambient lighting and control the HVAC system. There is no physical button to operate the AC controls. But the MG Assistant feature works on a set of voice commands to carry out functions like operating the sunroof, adjusting the AC temperature and fan speed, changing ambient light shades and more. The SUV has a fully digital instrument cluster too.
The electrically adjustable front seats have ventilation and are large and supportive. The back seat is also comfortable and can accommodate three adults.
Plenty of features
The new Hector comes with ADAS tech, which brings in features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, cruise assistance on curves, traffic jam assist etc. Intelligent indicators, which turn on when we turn the steering more than 30 degrees in either direction, are also notable additions. Six airbags, a 360-degree camera with a 3D mode, TPMS, ESC, traction control and front and rear parking sensors are in the safety features list.
The digital Bluetooth key and key sharing capability are the newly added technological innovations. In case of an emergency or loss of a key, the digital key can be used to lock, unlock, start, and drive the vehicle. Using the remote lock/ unlock feature, the car can be unlocked from anywhere. With the key-sharing function, one can share an additional key with up to two people. Moreover, it now has more than 75 connected features including 100 voice commands.
An exciting drive
Hector has a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel or a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. I got the turbo petrol model for this review. It has 143hp power and 250 Nm torque, paired with an 8-step CVT automatic transmission. This turbo petrol CVT is smooth to drive in all regular driving conditions. There are three drive modes — Normal, Eco and Sport.
A week with the new SUV was an impressive experience. Complete peace of mind and safe drives with all the comfort and luxury elements. I drove the car in hectic traffic many times. A truly responsive car assisted with the ADAS features made my drive very relaxing.
The SUV with Autonomous Level 2 tech offers 11 ADAS features. The traffic jam assist ensures minimal effort and maximum safety during rush hours by keeping the vehicle in the middle of the lane and maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The big screen in the dashboard gives assistance and a view of all the nearby vehicles. The guidelines also are perfect.
Based on the steering angle, the respective indicator light automatically gets ON/OFF. This automatic signal does its job well while entering the road from a parking space or during a U-turn. Overall, the car offers a very comfortable and safe ride.
Hard to beat
MG Hector has a long and strong list of competitors. Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Mahindra XUV 700 and the recent midsize SUVs from the Maruti-Toyota co-operation Grand Vitara and Hyryder. What puts Hector ahead of its rivals is its technological richness and riding comfort. In dimensions too, it scores big. We can say that Hector is a well-balanced package. Pricing is on par, ranging between Rs 14.73 lakh and Rs 21.73 lakh (ex-showroom, All India).
The writer is a freelance auto expert who hosts TV showsand anchors the YouTube channel ‘CARKADUVA’