Compact SUVs have been a craze in India over the past few years, and there was a reason for this boom in the segment. MG Hector. mg Customers just spoiled with options, be it for creature comforts or drivetrain options. But then came the arrival of the Korean duo of Kia Seltos and the new-gen Creta and turned the segment on its head, setting new benchmarks! And this largely explains the need for the new Hector facelift a little ahead of time. Now there is also a new petrol CVT automatic variant with dual-clutch automatic that has joined the range, and we tell you exclusively how the SUV performs in our review.
Read also: MG Aster compact SUV tease ahead of launch
design
The new chrome studded grille on the Hector facelift looks slightly smaller and the face looks less attractive.
The updates are subtle but add a sense of freshness. The most prominent update is in its face and it starts with this new chrome-studded grille with the chrome fringe also extending to the DRLs. The blown bash plate on the bumper is finished in gunmetal and you now get a different mesh pattern. Now the face looks a bit soft as a lot of butch was visible on the previous Hector as that grille was huge. Facelifted model! Not so much.
The MG Hector facelift gets a sizable 18-inch alloy wheel and dual-tone body color which looks cool.
The new 18-inch alloy wheels and optional dual-tone body color also add to that eye-catching appeal. At the rear, there is only one black applique that replaces the bold reflector between the taillights.
The rear remains largely unchanged and only a black applique changes to the bold reflectors.
The new Hector is better suited for the urban jungle, with a more modern look. Yes! It looks a touch less impressive just like Benedict Cumberbatch after a good haircut, but well-groomed. I bet you got the drift!
interior and tech
The cabin of the new MG Hector has been finished in dual-tone and champagne-black and adds to the sense of space in the already spacious cabin.
The cabin goes through a sea of change. The most important upgrade for me is the ventilated seats, especially since most of the year, the weather in India is hot and humid, they keep you cool! But the only thing I find strange are the buttons, they are located on the side of the central console whereas you have got more space on the central console. So ergonomically it would have worked better next to cup holders.
The most significant upgrade inside the Hector’s cabin are these ventilated seats
Now the cabin is finished in dual-tone and is the champagne-black color option that you get. Then piano black highlights and even silver highlights go well with the arrangement and it adds to the sense of place in the already spacious cabin. From the inside, the Hector facelift never fails to impress. The level of finish and comfort has gone up a notch and you now get even more comfort.
The rear seats are comfortable providing good thigh and lumbar support while the legroom is impressive too.
You have wireless charging and the CVT also gets automatic with eco mode and electronic parking brake. Now the 10.4-inch infotainment screen remains the same but the software has been upgraded. iSmart Connected technology is upgraded with 35 more Hinglish commands like open the sunroof or play the song! We all love to play with it, don’t we?
Hector is now smarter with the updated iSmart Connected Car Tech and premium features like powered front seats and Infinity sound system.
It has never been less than any part of the spec and features like i-Smart Connected Car Suite with OTA updates, a large panoramic sunroof, auto climate control, cruise control, power adjustable seats for front driver and passenger, ambient lighting. Auto-dimming mirrors remain on. Hector is now even smarter with features like real-time traffic and road updates, where it alerts you to signals and speed cameras, turns and curves and speed limits!
dynamics
The MG Hector CVT feels quite different from the DCT, it is a bit smoother and more refined.
The same 1.5-litre petrol engine is mated to an eight-stage CVT transmission.
Yes! When it comes to cabin experience it now has more credentials to take on rivals like the Creta, Seltos or the new duo from VW Group, Taigun and Kushak and obviously things have changed behind the wheel too! The same 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 141 bhp at 5000 rpm and 250 Nm of peak torque at 1600-3600 rpm, is mated to an eight-stage CVT gearbox and is intended to be more fuel efficient and smooth in city driving conditions or. promises. Bumper-to-bumper traffic.
| 2021 MG Hector Petrol CVT | Specifications |
|---|---|
| displacement | 1451 cc |
| max power | 141 bhp @ 5000 rpm |
| peak torque | 250 Nm @ 1600 – 3600 rpm |
| transfer | 8-stage CVT |
The CVT obviously feels quite different from the DCT and is a bit sleeker and more refined, so the claim is tall. There is also a clear lag in launch time and shift but no head to make it better for city use. Then when you want to stretch, that rubber band has a slight impact, but then it goes happily around 3,800-4,000 rpm, so you have enough power band.
The ride quality of MG Hector is good but lateral movement, you feel it continuously.
These 18-inch alloy wheels add a certain amount of tautness and you’ll feel it more when changing lanes or doing minor maneuvers. But even then, the body rolls are still there. Ride quality is good on rough surfaces but lateral motion, you feel it constantly. Steering though! I so wish there was more character, it feels a bit dead. What’s handy is the weight, but the center is loose and also provides a better sense of control when you’re changing lanes or turning those sharp corners or speeds you want it to be more communicative.
The 18-inch alloy wheels add a degree of tautness and you’ll feel more of it when changing lanes or doing minor maneuvers.
The CVT Hector is a better option than the DCT as the engine feels more refined and comfortable in this combination. It’s not grumpy and the shift jerks are well contained. If anything, there’s a slight torque steer with a quick launch but it’s certainly not baffling.
price ceiling
In terms of pricing, the MG Hector CVT closely matches the DCT.
The ex-showroom price of MG Hector CVT starts at ₹15.72 Lakh for the base Shine variant and goes up to ₹18.38 Lakh for the top-end Sharp trim and is evenly matched to the DCT. But still around a lakh more than other petrol automatic SUVs in this segment.
Decision
The MG Hector CVT is one of the easiest to drive automatic SUVs in its class.
0 notes
That said, it’s bigger, more comfortable, and better equipped. The slightly aggressive pricing will be even stronger in the case of Hector CVT. But for the premium amount, it is still the most advanced, comfortable and easy to drive automatic SUV in its class.
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