MG Hector 2020 Review - Prices, Mileage Specs, Variants, and Features

In how many variants is the 2020 MG Hector available in?

MG provides a wide variety of 11 wholesome variants which will surely leave you spoilt for choices. There are 7 petrol trims on offer which includes three hybrid variants as well. The diesel line up is small with four offerings. The root variants are Style, Super, Smart and Sharp. All of the other variants are derivatives of these.

A 1.5L Turbo inline four-cylinder is the powerhouse of the petrol lineup which pumps out 143 horses and 250 Nm of torque. The hybrid variants have an additional mild hybrid setup with a 48 V battery. The engine only variants at the top end comes with a Dual Clutch Transmission. The Diesel line-up is powered by a 2.0L Turbo powerhouse which pumps out 167 bhp of power and 350 Nm of torque.

The varying features available are listed above and they are plentiful. The Hybrid variants are only available in a 6-Speed Manual gearbox whereas you will get to choose between the manual and Automatic for the non-hybrid trims. The Diesel trims only come in 6-Speed manual transmission.

Which variant should you go for?

We would recommend you to go for the 1.5 Petrol Hybrid Smart variant. It will allow you to enjoy the peppy petrol engine minus the extra fuel expenses. The Hybrid setup helps you chuck out a few more kilometres for the litre. The hybrid powertrain also adds a host of unique features like Engine Idle Start/Stop System, Regenerative Braking and an electronic boost when in need of extra torque. All of these features for Rs.14,98,000/-  is a steal and it also includes the option to opt for a Dual Clutch Transmission for an extra Rs. 70,000/-. The highlighting i-SMART features are included in this package as well.

MG Hector May 2020 Offers

There are no ongoing offers on the MG Hector. The next offer listing will be active in the festive season, i.e. after September.

Also Read,

How does the new boy in town fare against Hyundai's best-seller?

Jeep Compass managed to revive FCA in India, does MG Hector stand a chance against this force?

How does the Hector fare against Kia Seltos, another new kid in town?

How good of a performer is the powerplant in the Hector?

The 2020 MG Hector is offered in two main engine configurations- A 1.5L turbocharged inline four-pot which chunks out 141 bhp and 250 Nm. This engine comes coupled with either a smooth 6-Speed manual transmission or a very friendly 7-Speed Dual-clutch automatic transmission. All the power is transferred to the front wheels. Both of the powertrains complement the power and helps put it precisely to the tarmac. A 48V mild hybrid battery pack helps with an additional 20 Nm of torque which is helpful in stressful situations for the engine.

We also have a very familiar 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine which pumps out 168 hp and 250 Nm. This is the same engine which is found in the Jeep Compass but in a slightly different state of tune. The diesel engine is coupled with a 6-speed  manual powertrain with transfers the power to the front wheels.

The competition is spread over a vast spectrum, all thanks to the Hector. MG has incorporated many features into its offerings which surpasses its bandwidth in pricing. It slowly creeps into the upper slab as well. An apt example is the Jeep Compass which comes in at a premium of Rs.2,51,000. Hyundai Creta has a larger 1.6L engine which is marginally less powerful. But the price gap of just Rs.21,000 makes the MG Hector a value for money offering for the amount of customisation and various first in class features it puts to the table.

How quickly can the MG Hector accelerate from 0-100 KMPH?

The 2020 MG Hector is a pretty swift machine given the fact that it weighs in at 1554 kg. Let’s take into account the crowd favourite Hector Automatic which is a breeze to drive. It crosses the 100kmph mark in a very calm and linear 14.21 seconds.

It actually fares better in rolling acceleration due to the on-tap power from the hybrid battery pack. This gives it slightly better numbers with 20-80 kmph taking about 8 seconds and 40-100 in under 10.3 seconds.

Quickness is not really Hector’s expertise. It is a bulky compact crossover which in our view is equipped with small inappropriate tyres. The power and torque curve of the engine indicates the linearity of the power delivery. Kia Seltos obliterates the competition with a record 9.7 seconds for the 0-100 kmph run. Jeep Compass and Hyundai Creta have similar timings of under 11 seconds despite having different powertrains and engine configurations.

How impressive is the handling for such a tall car?

Hector has a very well stacked suspension setup with a good amount of travel which allows for a very comfortable drive and perfect for our road conditions. It gets independent MacPherson struts with coils up front and a non-independent torsion beam will coil at the rear. We really hope MG to reconsider the puny wheels on the Hector because it doesn’t add up to the dimensions. It is too small for the body and affects the driving dynamics as well.

Due to the tall body, there is considerable body roll which can be felt at curves. And the suspension is a bit too soft at high speeds. It tends to unsettle a lot which takes away your confidence as well. The steering is responsive for sure but the assist makes it feel disconnected and you are in for a dead feel. The small tyres also restrict you from pushing the Hector to its limits, as the front tyres tend to lose grip in corners.

How sure-footed is the braking performance in the MG Hector?

MG has equipped the Hector with disc brakes all around which gives it an edge over the competition. This makes it excellent at braking and will bring the Brit to a standstill from 80 kmph in just 26.70 m. This is impressive, but don’t expect a stable stop as the tall body and soft suspension results in a rather uneasy nose dive.

The electronic brake distribution helps to minimize this effect by distributing brake force evenly on all four wheels.  The regenerative braking gives the braking a bit more bit but feels a bit sluggish as well, but not to the extent of making the braking feel weak. It manages to balance out the fatigue.

Braking is a strong point for the Hector as it emerges victorious in this face-off. Regenerative braking helps to improve braking to a huge extent. Hyundai Creta is the only one of the lot which comes with drum brakes at the rear. The lowest kerb weight helps to neutralize the use of discs at the rear. Kia has a more planted ride which results in minimal nose dive.

How does fuel-efficiency hold up with Hector's mild-hybrid tech?

The 1.5L petrol variant of Hector gives a modest 14.16 kmpl. It is not class-leading but if mileage is on your priority list then the Hybrid trim will make a better choice. The efficiency figures are inevitable as the thirsty petrol motor coupled with the automatic transmission makes up for an exhaustive combination.

The low mileage figures should be kept in mind and embraced for the added value features which you get in the Hector. MG has done the smart job of adding the hybrid trims for potential customers who would want a bit more mileage out of their Hector.

Kia Seltos and Jeep Compass with their refined engines manage to have an edge over the rest. The efficiency figures of Hybrid trims from MG cater to those who crave for more efficiency. Hyundai Creta suffers a tad bit more to give fewer numbers than the Seltos and Compass due to its thirstier 1.6L engine.

How modern does the MG Hector look?

The distinctive DRLs and the now trending bumper laden headlamps are what makes the MG Hector stand out from the crowd. The huge body will get your attention, had you missed the DRLs in the first place. It actually looks much larger than its competitors and it complements the SUV. 

Its intriguing design and the not so noticeable size are the highlighting features which makes it unmistakably an MG. The massive front grille bordered with chrome flaunting the MG logo adds to the charisma of the Hector.

A length of 4655 mm makes it the longest SUV in its class. It is so long that it actually masks another class-leading proportion, its 2750 mm wheelbase. But we wish MG could have done a better job at choosing the size of Hector’s shoes. It doesn’t add up at all. It even hampers Hector’s SUV credibility to some extent as well. It still manages to provide us with an impressive 192 mm of ground clearance which is ample for our road conditions and dare we say, occasional “kutcha” roads as well.

There is no doubt that Hector is the pack leading in all aspects. Kia Seltos manages to come close to its width, shy by just 35mm. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos have the same ground clearance whereas the Compass has considerably less.

Exterior Features

• LED Headlamps
• LED Taillamps
• Floating Light Turn Indicators
• Chrome Finish on Window Beltline
• Side Body cladding
• Front and Rear Skid Plates
• 17-inch Alloy wheels
• Signature LED DRLs

How spacious is the cabin of MG Hector?

Spacious is a word too small for the MG Hector’s interior. The large windows and panoramic sunroof amplifies the space it provides, considerably. The front row seats are comfortable with ample under-thigh and bolster support. The various seat functions for the front seats cater it according to your personal taste and gives you the perfect sitting position.

But the same cannot be said about the rear seats as it is shockingly cramped when compared to its competition. It is mostly because of the upright structure and position of the C-Pillar. The class-leading length of Hector is mainly because of the excessively long overhang. So it doesn’t actually cater to the sitting comfort. Rather the cargo and engine compartments are in an advantage because of this.

The quality of materials is at most good. There is nothing “wow” about the material quality as there are a few loose ends in the plastic used on the dash and the leather used for upholstery. The dashboard is laid out with the massive talked-about touchscreen filling up the whole centre. The 10.4-inch screen is the window to almost all the controls in the interior and lights up evenly with even the harshest sunlight not hampering the view.

All the cars can seat 5 people at most. Apart from the Hector, the rest actually look the part as well! We say this because MG Hector has the footprint of an easy 7-seater but instead of the third row, we get a humongous cargo space.

What are the impressive creature comfort features on offer in MG Hector?

MG has loaded the Hector with an array of features which makes it the most desirable car in this price bracket. Rear AC vents with 8-colour ambient lighting make the Hector a very comfortable cruiser as well. The Huge dual-pane Panoramic sunroof gives you the starry ceiling to brighten you up. The most intuitive and smart part of Hector is your freedom to verbally command the car to perform operations. A 17.8 cm multi-info displays the vitals with an intuitive layout.

They call it i-SMART and the whole “INTERNET INSIDE” part is because of this. “Hello MG” are the two magical words needed to turn yourself into a wizard. From setting the AC temperature to opening the windows and sunroof, you can perform all of the basic functions through the i-SMART feature without taking your eyes or handoff.

Interior Features

• 17.8 cm Coloured Digital multi-info Display
• 8 colour Ambient Lighting
• Leather upholstery
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• LED Front and Rear Reading Lights
• Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
• 6-Way Power-Adjustable Driver Seat
• 4-Way Adjustable Front Passenger seat
• Cooled Glove Box
• Famed i-SMART features (All “Internet Car” features)

What are the various infotainment features and connectivity options on offer?

Hector boasts an 8-speaker premium sound system with inbuilt subwoofer and amplifier. Steering controls make shuffling through your jam easily. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay adds to the ease of usage. It shares the 10.4-inch display which acts as the mothership control screen.

It sits vertically and looks massive. The display is crisp, although not as responsive as that of the Jeep Compass' Uconnect System, but does the job well. The various infotainment features are listed below.

Infotainment Features

• 26.4 cm HD Touchscreen Infotainment System
• Android Auto
• Premium Sound System by Infinity
• 4-speakers and 4-tweeters
• Subwoofer and Amplifier
• Steering Mounted Audio Controls
• 
  

How much cargo can MG Hector carry?

The smart move of positioning the spare tyre under the car has exponentially improved on the boot space. It has the largest boot of the set with a whopping 587 litres of volume. Another impressive part is the flat fold rear seats which, well adds enough space to host a house party!

Night lamps help you keep track of the huge cargo space at night. A parcel tray provides the needed disruption of cargo compartment into the cabin which bumps up the premium feel of it. A cargo carpet is provided which helps the cargo space not look bland.

The rest of the competition is nowhere near the vicinity of the volume provided by Hector. Kia Seltos comes the closest by is still a good 154 litres less. I guess the rest needn’t be talked about.

How Safe is the 2020 MG Hector?

MG has not sacrificed on safety as it has equipped the Hector with a host of features in which some are first in class. One notable feature is the 360-degree camera which makes manoeuvring this humongous vehicle an easy task. 

We understand that the mouth of a mammoth is not a very safe place to be in! But with airbags at the front and side makes it makes us think and act otherwise with a lot of confidence. The various safety features on offer are listed below.

Safety Features on offer

• 6 airbags
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Hill Hold Control
• ABS+EBD+Brake Assist
• Electric Parking Brake
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• Reverse Parking Camera
• Front Seatbelt Pretensioner and load limiter
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Cornering Front Fog Lamps
• 360 Around View Camera
• Auto Headlamps
• Rain Sensing Wipers

How does MG Hector fare against the Competition?

MG Hector vs Kia Seltos

If we consider the numbers, the Hector undercuts Seltos in all aspects. It produces more power and has a much more comfortable cabin with a heavenly cabin space to compliment it. Hector also has many first in class features with a huge infotainment screen to control it all. All of these first-hand features makes the MG Hector a very tempting car to resist and these perks easily overshadow its shortcomings. But the difference in build quality cannot be overlooked and you can feel it while driving the car as well. Kia Seltos offers a much better-built car with exceptional levels of handling and body control.

So, if you want to be cocooned in technological gizmos which amplifies your comfort then the 2020 MG Hector is the car for you but if driving dynamics and build quality is a factor that you can’t skip, Kia Seltos would make you more than happy.

MG Hector vs Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass is a pricier option of the lot and this premium is backed with the better build quality and driving dynamics that will put a smile on your face. Jeeps are known to make rock-solid cars and the Compass is no outcast. But MG outweighs its competition here with a much more comfortable and feature-rich interior before which the Jeep looks rather dull. 

The Hector has the upper hand here with a much better and aggressive value for money proposition that omitted. Jeep doesn’t offer a lot more to change our mind and so MG Hector is our choice here.

MG Hector vs Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta is in this list to remind us about the impressive value for money which the Hector provides us with. With just Rs. 21,000 more, you get a host of first in segment features and a gigantic cabin with ample space and creature features to keep you busy all day. There is no doubt that Hector will be our choice of the lot.

Is the new MG Hector worth the buzz?

MG Hector is an interesting car which has a lot of surprises in store for you. The most interesting and notable being the “INTERNET INSIDE” concept. It amplifies the commuting experience to a whole new level and its soothing. It’s good to know that automakers are trying to be innovative and bring out breakthroughs in mobility. For a mouth-watering price of Rs. 12,48,000, the Hector empowers you with best in class features and one of the best values for money SUV which is in the market right now. The Hector would undoubtedly be our choice because of the innovative and flexible experiences it offers which is absent in all of its competitors.