Complete Guide to Buying an MG Astor

While MG entered the mid-size SUV segment later than its Korean rivals, when they did arrive, they presented Indians with a hotshot. The MG Astor personifies MG’s tenet of remaining ahead of the curve, especially on the grounds of technology and comfort. Though the sales of this British SUV are not as high as that of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, they parallel the sales of the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq, which is a commendable feat.

For those who do not know, the MG Astor is the petrol-powered version of the MG ZS EV. However, it is not just a powertrain swap and offers a completely different experience from its EV cousin. With a unique design, a host of features, and an inordinately premium cabin, the MG Astor deserves serious consideration if you plan to buy a premium mid-size SUV. Although, if you are already considering the MG Astor, here is a complete buying guide to buy an MG Astor accompanied by what you will like, what you won’t like, and the best variant for you.

MG Astor Specifications

Why should you consider the MG Astor?

Since the mid-size SUV segment is very crowded, it must have been an uphill task for MG to engineer a car that they can place in such a heated contest. It is only fair to say, they succeeded as the MG Astor is characterised by plenty of praiseworthy qualities. Here are the most appealing ones of them.

An Uber-Premium Cabin

It would not be wrong to say, the MG Hector features the classiest cabin in the segment. The generous use of soft-touch material and the leather-like finish on the dashboard with the turbine-like AC vents at both ends give the front section an upmarket feel. MG has done a sterling job in designing well-contoured seats which are in line with immaculate fit-finish across the cabin. Moreover, with the plush leatherette dual-tone upholstery, especially the red and black colour theme, the cabin emulates the luxury of more expensive cars.

High on Tech

It would not be an MG car without being high on technology. MG has loaded the Astor with upmarket features which include a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, a fully digital instrument cluster, a six-way power-adjustable driver seat, a panoramic sunroof, heated power-folding wing mirrors and more.

However, the features that give the MG Astor an upper hand are the steering modes and an AI assistant. The steering modes categorised as Normal, Urban, and Dynamic significantly add to the driving convenience. The Urban mode is for city driving and in this the steering feels very light and does not offer much feel. The Dynamic mode is for a sportier performance therefore the steering weighs up and offers a better feel. The Normal mode strikes a nice balance between the other two modes. 

Plentiful Safety Features

MG truly deserves applause for the wealth of safety features they have given to the Astor. Even the base variant features traction control, all four-wheel disc brakes, hill hold control, hill descent control, ISOFIX mounts, dual airbags, and ABS with EBD. For a base variant, this package is extremely attractive. Higher up the variants, the MG Astor offers an electronic parking brake with auto hold, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system, and up to 6 airbags.

All the same, the most attractive safety trait of the MG Astor is the Level-2 ADAS safety suite which is still missing in all its rivals. Equipped with 6 radars and 5 cameras, the ADAS safety suite of MG Astor offers you adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping/departure assist, high-beam assist, blind-spot detection, and more.

Why should you not consider the MG Astor?

While the Astor’s overall package is quite attractive, it does have a couple of limitations that can change your decision of buying it.

Unexciting to Drive

The 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine of the MG Astor does not pack the punch a driving enthusiast would expect. While the 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission is slick, during downshifts you may feel the need for paddle shifters that are missing. MG has engineered the Astor mainly for city travelling, and both of its engines have been tuned for refinement rather than performance.

Misses Some Important Features

While the MG Astor is considerably feature-packed, it misses out on some common features in the segment like a branded audio system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless charger, ventilated front seats, and rear sun blinds. Moreover, the absence of some other features like reach adjustment for steering and paddle shifters can be a deal breaker for some.

ALSO READ: Cars with Paddle Shifters

Low Mileage reported on both engines

In India, mileage is often a key decisive factor when one plans to buy a car. While both engines of Astor offer pleasant drives, the mileage they deliver is lesser than that of its rivals and this might deter some buyers in buying this SUV.

MG Astor variants

Choosing a suitable variant can be time-consuming, especially when you have too many variants to pick the one that meets your needs. So, here are the variants of MG Astor against their prices and the best variant for you.

Best MG Astor Variant to Buy

If you plan to own the MG Astor on a budget, the Style variant is the best option to go for. It packs all the must-have features of a premium mid-size SUV costing around Rs 11 lakh and is also worth considering if you plan to own higher variants of Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, or Tata Nexon. However, if you want the CVT automatic, we suggest stretching your budget to the Sharp variant which is a good deal for its price, considering all the extra features it adds like a panoramic sunroof, adjustable driver seat, 6 airbags, AI assistant, connected car tech, cruise control, and more. All the same, if you are looking to own the Sharp variant for its features, it will be wise to go for Savvy variant as it packs all the features of Astor’s package along with Level-2 ADAS technology for just Rs. 1 lakh more.

MG Astor Warranty and Service Cost

The MG Astor comes with a standard 3-3-3 package which means a warranty of three years/unlimited kilometres, three years of Roadside Assistance, and three Labour charges-free periodic services. The warranty can also be extended to 5 years and MG also has some protection plans. Moreover, MG also offers its customers an assured buyback plan in which if a customer decides to sell their Astor back to MG within 3 years/60,000 km, they will get 60 percent of the Astor’s ex-showroom price. The service cost of the MG Astor would fall around Rs 1,574 at 1 year/ 10,000 km, Rs 2,817 at 2 year/20,000 km, Rs 5,167 at 3 year/30,000 km, Rs 4,707 at 4 year/40,000 km, and Rs 5,525 at 5 year/50,000 km.

Summary

The MG Astor is an underrated car in India and deserves considerably more sales than what it is getting. While only MG is privy to what lies ahead for the Astor, it is undeniable that the British SUV is an attractive package overall. With this buying guide, you should be able to see through the marketing tricks and make an informed decision while buying an MG Astor.

FAQs