MG Hector – Full Review, Price, Mileage, Features & Engine Options

When MG Motor arrived in India, they didn’t just bring a new SUV; they brought an experience—and they called it the MG Hector. Launched amidst a massive buzz around its “Internet Inside” tag and massive dimensions, the Hector was designed to disrupt the mid-size SUV segment, challenging established players with its size and an unmatched feature list. Today, after multiple updates and facelifts, the Hector continues to boast one of the most spacious cabins and the largest infotainment screen in its class.

The current model is a facelift that significantly updated the front fascia and, more importantly, introduced the colossal 14-inch portrait-style infotainment system, making the cabin feel truly next-generation.

The MG Hector starts at an Ex-showroom price of around ₹14.00 Lakh for the base Style variant, stretching up to approximately ₹20.96 Lakh for the fully loaded Savvy Pro CVT (prices vary by city and variant). We spent extensive time with the Hector on the highway and in the city to see if the big screen and big space translate into a truly compelling ownership experience.

QUICK SPECS TABLE (Key Highlights)

The MG Hector comes with two robust engine options. Here are the key highlights:

Specification	1.5L Turbo Petrol (MT/CVT)	2.0L Turbo Diesel (MT)
Engine Displacement	1451 cc	1956 cc
Max Power	141 bhp @ 5000 rpm	168 bhp @ 3750 rpm
Max Torque	250 Nm @ 1600−3600 rpm	350 Nm @ 1750−2500 rpm
Transmission	6-speed MT / CVT Automatic	6-speed MT
Seating Capacity	5 Person	5 Person
Boot Space (Liters)	587 Litres	587 Litres
Ground Clearance	183 mm (approx.)	183 mm (approx.)
Fuel Tank Capacity	60 Litres	60 Litres

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EXTERIOR DESIGN & ROAD PRESENCE

The Hector has always had a polarizing design. Some love its sheer scale, while others find the sheer height and split headlamp design a bit too aggressive. However, with the latest update, MG has toned down some of the initial bulkiness and given it a more mature, premium look.

Design Elements We Love

• Road Presence: The Hector is undeniably a big SUV. At 4699 mm in length, it is one of the longest SUVs in the segment, giving it a commanding stance on the road. It looks like it belongs to a segment higher than its price suggests. It absolutely turns heads on the road, especially the higher variants with the massive chrome-surrounded ‘Argyle-inspired’ grille.
• Lighting: The LED DRLs placed high near the bonnet edge and the powerful LED projector headlamps below give it a distinctive lighting signature. The rear features connected LED taillamps, which is a modern touch that accentuates its width.
• Wheels: The 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels on the top trims look proportionate to the vehicle’s massive dimensions and fill the wheel arches nicely.

Areas for Improvement

While the design is grand, the sheer size can make it cumbersome in tight city lanes. Also, the split headlamp design, while common now, still remains a point of debate among enthusiasts.

INTERIOR, COMFORT & FEATURES

The moment you step inside the MG Hector, the game changes. This is where MG has played its trump card since day one: space and features.

Dashboard & Material Quality

• The Screen: Let’s address the elephant in the room—the 14-inch HD portrait infotainment system. It’s massive, dominates the dashboard, and acts as the nerve centre for most functions, including climate control. While visually stunning, relying on a screen for everything can be distracting, though the latest version is much faster and less laggy than before.
• Material Quality: The cabin features a dual-tone finish (White and Black in the Smart Pro variant). The use of soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door pads, combined with good-quality leatherette upholstery, gives it a definite premium feel.

Space & Seating Comfort

The space inside is class-leading, a direct benefit of its long wheelbase (2750 mm).

• Rear Seat Comfort: This is a fantastic 5-seater. Rear legroom is immense, allowing even very tall passengers to stretch out. The floor is nearly flat, and the width of the cabin is generous. Yes, three people can sit comfortably at the back for short to medium journeys without feeling cramped, making it the perfect family SUV.
• Features for Comfort: The top variants offer ventilated front seats (a boon in Indian summers) and a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat. Rear AC vents and a panoramic sunroof (the largest in the segment) further enhance the airy and premium feel of the cabin.

Standout Features (The ‘Internet Inside’)

• Level 2 ADAS: The Hector offers Level 2 ADAS functions, including Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), making highway driving safer and less tiring.
• Connected Car Tech: The i-Smart connectivity suite allows you to control the sunroof, AC, and doors via voice commands or a smartphone app. The voice assistant understands a large number of ‘Hinglish’ commands, which is genuinely useful.
• 360-Degree Camera: Given the size of the SUV, the 360-degree HD camera is a crucial feature that aids immensely in parking.

ENGINE PERFORMANCE & DRIVING DYNAMICS

The Hector offers two distinct driving experiences based on the engine chosen.

Turbo Petrol (141 bhp / 250 Nm)

• City Drive (CVT): The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is tuned for smoothness. The light steering and easy power delivery make it surprisingly manageable in city traffic. There is a noticeable delay, or ‘rubber-band effect’, typical of CVTs, when you try to accelerate quickly, but for relaxed commuting, it’s refined.
• Highway Drive: The 141 bhp engine feels adequate but not overly punchy. While cruising at 100 kmph is comfortable, quick overtakes often require flooring the pedal and waiting for the CVT to catch up. The manual transmission offers a more engaging drive.

Turbo Diesel (168 bhp / 350 Nm)

• Performance: This engine is the tried-and-tested Fiat-sourced motor (also used by the Harrier and Safari). It’s powerful, producing 168 bhp and a strong 350 Nm of torque. It feels significantly more effortless on the highway and has excellent pulling power for tackling hills or a full load. This engine feels punchy on highways.
• Suspension: The suspension setup is soft and comfort-oriented. The suspension absorbs potholes easily, making the ride plush and insulating passengers from most road imperfections. This comfort-focus leads to some body roll when taking sharp corners at speed, meaning high-speed cornering is not its forte. It’s a cruiser, not a corner carver.

SAFETY (Crucial Section)

While the MG Hector has historically been criticised for lacking a Global NCAP rating, it does pack a substantial amount of active and passive safety features.

• Airbags: The top-spec variants come with 6 Airbags (Driver, Passenger, Side, and Curtain).
• Core Safety: Features like ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Traction Control System (TCS) are standard.
• ADAS Features (Level 2): The inclusion of Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is a huge plus, offering an added layer of safety in specific situations.
• Global NCAP Rating: The MG Hector has not been officially tested by Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP yet. However, its heavy, robust build and extensive safety kit suggest it should perform reasonably well, potentially matching or exceeding 4-star ratings achieved by some rivals. Until an official test is conducted, this remains a crucial point for safety-conscious buyers.

REAL WORLD MILEAGE (The Truth)

Mileage is a mixed bag, heavily dependent on the engine and transmission you choose. The heavy weight and focus on comfort mean it’s not the segment leader in fuel efficiency.

Variant	ARAI Claimed Mileage	Real World City Mileage	Real World Highway Mileage
Petrol Manual	13.79 kmpl	8 to 10 kmpl	12 to 14 kmpl
Petrol Automatic (CVT)	12.34 kmpl	7 to 9 kmpl	11 to 13 kmpl
Diesel Manual	15.58 kmpl	12 to 14 kmpl	16 to 18 kmpl

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The real mileage in city traffic is quite low for the petrol automatic (around 8 kmpl), a direct consequence of the turbo-petrol engine pulling a heavy SUV in stop-and-go traffic. The Diesel Manual is the clear winner, delivering excellent fuel efficiency on the highway, making it the preferred choice for high-mileage drivers and tourers.

THE COMPETITION (Auto-Selected Rivals)

The MG Hector competes fiercely in the 5-seater premium SUV segment. Its primary rivals, which offer similar dimensions and premium positioning, are the Tata Harrier and the Mahindra XUV700 (5-seater variants).

MG Hector vs Tata Harrier vs Mahindra XUV700

Feature	MG Hector (Sharp Pro)	Tata Harrier (Top Spec)	Mahindra XUV700 (AX5/AX7)
Ex-Showroom Price (Approx.)	∼₹18.34 Lakh (Petrol MT)	∼₹18.00 Lakh (Diesel MT)	∼₹17.50 Lakh (Petrol MT)
Engine (Diesel)	168 bhp/350 Nm	168 bhp/350 Nm	182 bhp/420 Nm
Infotainment Screen	14-inch (Largest in class)	12.3 inch	10.25 inch (Dual Screen)
Key Feature	Ventilated Seats, Level 2 ADAS	5-Star GNCAP Rating, JLR Platform	Highest Power/Torque, 5-Star GNCAP Rating
Safety Rating	Not Tested (High Feature Count)	5-Star GNCAP (Adult/Child)	5-Star GNCAP (Adult/Child)
USP	Comfort, Interior Space, Features	Build Quality, Safety Rating	Performance, Power, ADAS

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Winner: Value For Money (VFM)?

The winner depends entirely on the buyer’s priority:

• If Safety is your absolute priority: The Tata Harrier and Mahindra XUV700 are the clear winners, boasting verifiable 5-star Global NCAP ratings.
• If Comfort, Features, and Rear-Seat Space are paramount: The MG Hector provides better value. No other SUV in this price bracket offers a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, and rear-seat legroom like the Hector.

The Hector’s VFM proposition lies in the luxury and features it offers for the price.

Read more : Skoda Slavia

FINAL VERDICT: The Feature King

The MG Hector remains the undisputed ‘King of Features’ and ‘King of Space’ in its segment. It is a fantastic family vehicle, offering a plush, comfortable ride quality and a connected, modern cabin experience that few rivals can match. The real dilemma is the mileage of the petrol automatic and the lack of an official crash test rating. If MG can address these two concerns, the Hector would be nearly unstoppable.

Buy it if:

• You prioritize massive rear-seat space, comfort, and a plush ride over outright sporty handling.
• You are a tech enthusiast and want the biggest screen, Level 2 ADAS (on top variants), and connected car features.
• You opt for the Diesel Manual variant for better real-world mileage and superior highway performance.

Skip it if:

• You demand a verifiable 5-star crash safety rating for peace of mind (Harrier/XUV700 are better picks here).
• You want a punchy, quick-response Petrol Automatic for spirited driving (the CVT is too relaxed).
• You spend 100% of your time in bumper-to-bumper city traffic and are concerned about the low real-world city mileage of the petrol engine.

FAQs (People Also Ask)