Complete Guide to Buying an MG Hector

Nowadays, large touchscreen infotainment screens are quite popular with more car manufacturers trying to one-up their competitors with bigger displays. The car responsible for this ‘arms race’, at least in the mid-size SUV segment, was the MG Hector which debuted in India in 2019 with a massive 10.4-inch infotainment unit. Moreover, the SUV also popularised connected car technology in India, racking up quite the fan following among nerdy car buyers.

With MG launching the facelifted Hector, the OG of tech-on-wheels retains its proposition of a feature-laden SUV with ample space, comfort, and decent powertrains. If you’re looking to bring one home, here’s a complete buying guide to the MG Hector. 

MG Hector Specifications

Why you should consider the MG Hector

Despite being a relatively unknown brand in India, MG tasted success in the mid-size SUV segment with the Hector, even going on to launch multiple seating configurations for the SUV. Here are three reasons why the Hector is MG’s bestselling car in India and why it holds its own against stiff competition in its segment.

Spacious and Comfortable

The Hector’s cabin is one of the roomiest in the mid-size SUV segment. The sense of space is magnified by the car’s rather large glass area and panoramic sunroof, which let in an ample amount of light. The airy quotient is further enhanced by the Hector’s beige cabin finish. 

While it might be worth arguing which mid-size SUV has the most spacious cabin, the MG Hector is a notch above the competition when you consider rear seat comfort. Its 2750 mm wheelbase, 1760 mm height, and no transmission tunnel protrusion mean three, even tall, people can comfortably occupy the rear seat. 

And while rear passengers may not have the convenience of electric seat adjustment, comfort isn’t compromised thanks to rear AC vents, adjustable headrests, and seat recline/slide features. Overall, the MG Hector is one of the most comfortable 5-seater cars that you can get in India today.

Feature Loaded

Like its predecessor, the new Hector sets a cross-segment benchmark when it comes to the infotainment system. The erstwhile 10.4-inch HD display has made way for an even bigger 14-inch display that now gets full-HD resolution while retaining the previous unit’s portrait orientation.

Offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the infotainment unit can be used to control several functions of the Hector, such as the sunroof, HVAC system, and ambient lighting. In what’s a neat party trick, you can do this either via touch or voice commands sent through to the MG Assistant. 

As with the previous car, you also get a tonne of connected car features such as geofencing, driving analytics, and support for even Hinglish (Hindi+English) voice commands. 

ADAS Safety Tech

The Hector’s standard safety pack of up to 6 airbags, ABS + EBD, ESP, TCS, and Hill Hold Assist is now bolstered by level 2 ADAS. MG has included 11 autonomous features in the Hector’s ADAS package, including Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Headlamp Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. 

Of particular interest to urban dwellers would be Traffic Jam Assist, which considerably reduces your effort in trying to maintain lane discipline and a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. Overall, the Hector’s ADAS package is quite evolved as it can differentiate different types of vehicles in front of the SUV while not being too intrusive. 

Why you should not consider the MG Hector

It’s true that the MG Hector does tick most of the boxes that buyers have on their mid-size 5-seater SUV checklist. However, there are a few glaring omissions that might ruffle a certain section of SUV buyers.  

No Diesel-Automatic Powertrain

While MG has stated that most of the Hector’s sales are for the petrol variants, offering the diesel variant without an automatic transmission is a clear miss. This absence is further amplified by the fact that the Hector’s competitors offer such a diesel+automatic combo. The convenience of an automatic coupled with the ample, low-end torque of a diesel engine makes for relaxed driving, whether on congested city roads or open highways, and prospective MG Hector owners will miss out on that experience. 

Comfort Takes Priority Over Driving Fun

There’s no second-guessing the MG Hector’s comfort quotient, whether you’re in the front or rear seats. The SUV’s driving dynamics, however, may leave something to be desired. For instance, the same soft-sprung suspension that gobbles up road imperfections without a squeak might not be suited for spirited driving. But if you prize comfort over an engaging ride, the MG Hector fits the bill better than most of its competitors.   

MG Hector Variants

MG offers 13 variants of the Hector, across petrol and diesel powertrains. The main differentiators among these variants are their features, with the entry-level model missing out on many of the Hector’s hallmark equipment. At the same time, MG also offers the level 2 ADAS package only with the Savvy Pro petrol automatic variant.

Best MG Hector Variant to Buy

The Sharp Pro is easy to recommend as the most value-for-money MG Hector variant. For one, it’s available with all three of the Hector’s powertrain options. This is important because the SUV’s topmost variant, the Savvy Pro, is available only with the petrol-automatic powertrain. 

In terms of features, the Sharp Pro and Savvy Pro are neck and neck. However, as mentioned previously, you can’t escape the Savvy Pro if ADAS is a non-negotiable point for you. But if that isn’t the case, the MG Hector Sharp Pro will ensure you get the best of both worlds, i.e. the SUV’s best features and three powertrains to choose from. 

MG Hector Warranty & Service Cost

The MG Hector comes with a standard 5-year warranty that’s valid for unlimited kilometres. The company also bundles a 5-year roadside assistance package, along with 5 free services. In terms of ownership costs, MG was one of the first manufacturers to share an estimated figure for all of its cars. For the Hector, for up to 1 lakh km, MG pegs ownership costs to start at 62 paise/km for the petrol variant and 71 paise/km for the diesel variant. While real-life usage will dictate the final figures, buyers can rationalise long-term ownership costs of the Hector by opting for MG Shield Protect Plans. 

Summary

In its facelifted avatar, the MG Hector has built upon the strengths of the previous model. It’s arguably the most comfortable car in its segment while packing in features, technology, and a premium feel that wouldn’t be out of place in a car from a segment or two above. With this guide, you should have a clearer idea of which variant of the MG Hector you should buy.