Is MG Hector Automatic Best Mid-Size SUV in Indian Market?

• Published On: 22 July 2019
• 1055 Views

MG Motor’s Indian innings has gotten off to a great start. Their first offering for India, the Hector, has received over 20000 bookings in a matter of less than 50 days.

Introduction: MG Motor’s Indian innings has gotten off to a great start. Their first offering for India, the Hector has received over 20000 bookings in a matter of less than 50 days which forced the company to halt new bookings for the time being. The Rs 12-16 lakh bracket in the Indian SUV market has been buzzing with activity and this car has managed to carve its own niche among customers.

Last month we drove the diesel and petrol hybrid (manual) versions of the Hector down South in Tamil Nadu [add links] and came back impressed. Given the price, the overall package on offer seemed good enough but there was one important variant missing on the media event. And this is exactly the model we wanted to get our hands on.

Given the luck and our connections here in Delhi, we managed to get hold of a brand-new Hector DCT petrol automatic version from a close friend. He bought the car earlier this month and had already clogged 900km when he offered to lend us the vehicle for a day. The Glaze Red colour option looks nice and this one was the top-end Sharp edition that comes loaded with features including a panoramic sunroof, powered seats, segment’s largest touch-screen interface and a lot more.

Exteriors: On the outside, the Hector Petrol DCT Automatic looks identical to the other versions. There are no additions or changes and the SUV continues to grab a lot of attention on the road. It is the longest vehicle in its class and the sharp, striking design theme works well in its favor. This includes the high mounted DRLs (daytime running lights) and the huge grille with chrome surrounds. The side profile is MPV-ish but the rear design makes up for that. The Hector gets LED treatment all around and the horizontal glass strip on the hood further steals the show. It does look slightly overdone but is surely working for the Indian car market.

Engine: The cabin of the automatic Hector remains similar to that of the manual versions too. Remember, the DCT versions is only sold in the top two variants of Smart and Sharp and not in the lower two versions of Style and Super. The overly black theme works well and touch and feel of panels is good. As you get into the driver’s seat, you also notice the different gear lever and this gets us to the driving details. First, the Hector gets a 6-speed DCT or a dual-clutch transmission and this is mated to the same 1.5-litre turbo-charged petrol unit. The engine puts out 143 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque. While these figures seem impressive, remember, the Hector is a heavy vehicle and hence performance is best termed as adequate.

Fire up the motor and it settles into a smooth idle. Slot into D, lift off the brake and the car moves ahead with enthusiasm. The creep function works well in traffic and this helps a lot in start-stop scenarios. As traffic starts moving, gentle inputs from the right foot sees the gearbox work effortlessly. This combined with a light steering and a plush ride makes the Hector a very good city runabout. The fuss free nature of the car will be loved by most. In terms of efficiency, the Hector petrol automatic comes with a certified figure of almost 14 kmpl.

Handling: However, when you want to get going in a rapid manner or want to execute a quick overtaking maneuver, you are in for a disappointment. The DCT ‘box takes its own time responding to your immediate requirement and this takes out the joy from driving this vehicle. Enthusiasts will be disappointed and the only way out is to use the manual mode - flick the gear lever to the right and you can take charge of the gear shifts. This works better and the engine provides enough punch at higher revs. One thing we do like about the Hector automatic is its ability to chew up miles out on open roads.

Talking of which, the Hector continues to reward its occupants with a comfortable ride. The suspension is clearly tuned towards comfort than for attacking a set of corners. It tends to absorb undulations in a better way than say the Tata Harrier and the Mahindra XUV500. The steering too remains light but needs some amount of inputs at higher speeds. Body roll is evident too and you need to consider the weight and size of the vehicle before changing lanes at higher speeds.

Verdict: The Hector automatic is priced between Rs 15.3 - Rs 16.8 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. At this price, it is more affordable than the Jeep Compass automatic and its main rival, the Harrier, is yet to be offered with an automatic. Throw in the 5-year warranty (unlimited mileage), 5 free services and an option to sell back the vehicle at 60% of the cost further seals the deal. Yes, enthusiasts will be disappointed with the gearbox but for most other consumers, the MG Hector petrol DCT automatic comes across as a good choice.