MG Hector Segment Leader

It’s been over a year since MG Motors set its foot in India with the all-new Hector. And immediately, the British carmaker has tasted success with its mid-size SUV ever since its launch in India. The fact that the MG Hector is the best-selling SUV in its segment, is a testimony of its credentials. But, what makes it a default choice in its segment for drive quality and comfort? Let’s take a look.

Segment-Leading Features

Besides its bold design, the Hector enticed buyers with its feature-set and smart packaging. It is loaded to the gills with features, and even today, it comes with more features than what the competition has to offer. At launch, it came with segment-best features like a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, electrically adjustable front seats, ambient mood lighting, and powered tailgate to name a few. Now, you don’t get some of these features in cars from a segment above.

MG also pioneered with the introduction of an e-SIM based iSmart Internet Connectivity. The iSmart system is like a command centre, where you can give commands to activate/deactivate certain features of the car. You can control the music, set air-con temperature, open/close the windows or sunroof, set a geo-fence and even start the car remotely. It’s like your on-demand personal butler.

What’s more, the MG Hector also gets a tablet-like, vertically-stacked 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, along with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Besides the usual connectivity options, most of the car’s functions are integrated into the infotainment system to offer a seamless experience. Further, you also get a panoramic sunroof and a comprehensive driver information display, which makes every drive hassle-free, and an experience in itself.

Spacious and Comfortable Interiors

The MG Hector features solidly-built interiors with good fit and finish. The plastic quality is best in the segment and consistent throughout, and you also get a soft-touch leather finish on the dash. In our time with the Hector, we haven’t faced any rattling issues or any interior panels protesting against each other. In fact, the doors have a good amount of weight to them and close with a reassuring ‘thud’, which speaks about its premium built quality.

MG has put in significant amounts of work in the in-cabin acoustics. The NVH levels are best in class, and the Hector comes with a good amount of sound-deadening materials in the engine bay, wheel wells, floor pan and the doors. As a result, you can barely hear any wind or tyre noise, and with the refined motors, the engine noise is well-controlled from entering inside the cabin. In fact, the overall refinement is so good that you won’t feel any vibrations or harshness inside the cabin.

What also sweetens the deal is that it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position, thanks to the electrically adjustable front seats. Further, the wide and spacious rear seats offer class-leading legroom and shoulder room, something that a buyer in this segment looks for. In fact, it is one of the few SUVs in its segment to comfortably accommodate three passengers at the back. What’s more, the Hector has endured through CarWale’s various outdoor shoots, and despite all the abuse it goes through, the leather upholstery hasn’t faded or wrinkled in any way. And the all-black trim keeps it away from soiling easily.

That said, what adds to the comfort is that the Hector gets headrest for the middle seat as well, and three-point seatbelts are standard for all occupants. The overall experience is further amplified by the dual-pane panoramic sunroof that lets in dollops of light inside the cabin. Even the boot space, at 587 litres, is best in the segment.

Drive Quality

Getting the design and packaging right is one thing, but what truly lures customers while buying a car is what drives the wheels. And the MG Hector has you covered in that department as well. For the long-distance travellers and frugality-seekers, they can go for the punchy 2.0-Litre diesel motor with 170bhp on tap and 350Nm of torque. The oil burner is refined, and an effortless mile-muncher that offers strong mid-range, and the six-speed manual provides precise shifts.

Those looking at convenience or low running can opt for the 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo petrol motor. Apart from offering 141bhp and 250Nm of power, it also gets an option of a 48V mild-hybrid that provides 20Nm of additional boost. Besides getting a manual gearbox, the Hector Petrol also offers the convenience of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Being our long-term workhorse for the past six months, the twin-clutch unit has offered high-quality seamless shifts, without inducing any sorts of jerks or head-nods.

The Hector offers good high-speed stability and great composure while taking on bends, but what impresses the most is the softly-sprung suspension at low-speeds, which enhances the overall comfort at city speeds by absorbing the worst of potholes and undulating roads, without sending jolts inside. Now, the Hector is a large SUV, and with so much performance on tap, it requires strong brakes. And, it does not disappoint, as it gets disc brakes all around with good bite and progression.

Conclusion

The MG Hector is a capable SUV with a butch styling and right amount of pizazz. It features robust underpinnings and offers unparalleled performance, compared to its rivals. What’s more, the features list is better than some of the cars from a segment above. It also punches above its weight when it comes to space on offer, and the overall ride comfort is excellent. No wonder the Hector is a segment leader when it comes to drive quality and comfort.