Ever since the MG Hector broke cover, we’ve been inundated with questions about all aspects of the SUV. While we’ve already brought you our full review and talked about the Hector’s price at length, this piece takes a deep dive into the MG SUV’s interior. What’s good? What’s bad? Read on to know.
What’s the Hector interior design like?
While the MG Hector’s exteriors might split opinion, there is bound to be more agreement about its interior. The Hector’s interior is high on the wow factor and you’ll like what you see on the inside. The focal point is the massive 10.4-inch, portrait-oriented touchscreen, that’s standard on all but the base Style version. The screen is your go-to control for most settings, which is why you won’t find too many physical buttons on the dashboard. In all, the dash is neat in look with the layered finish adding some visual appeal. Do note, only top-spec Hector variants get a 7.0-inch MID screen and the high-res coloured screen does play a role in contributing to the interior’s new-age look. That said, we aren’t fans of the counter-clockwise orientation of the tachometer.
The MG Hector is available in a single interior theme at the moment. Black is the primary colour in the cabin, though the pillars and roof-lining get a lighter grey finish.
What’s the Hector interior quality like?
This is a question that comes up often. Well, the Hector interior scores really well on perceived quality. Many parts feel rich and bits like the band of leather on the dashboard and chunky steering uplift the cabin ambience further. The faux-aluminium highlights on the dashboard, steering and doors look convincing too, and, of course, versions with a panoramic sunroof give the all-important feel of being in an expensive SUV. However, a closer look will reveal crinkles in the leatherette trim, and you’ll also find many of the plastics are hard and scratchy. Fit and finish is decent but panel gaps are not as tight as you’d find in say, a Hyundai.
What’s the Hector interior space and comfort like?
The Hector, available only in 5-seat form, is larger than most like-priced SUVs and its large size translates into an incredibly roomy cabin. There’s exceptional legroom in the back and ample headroom for six-footers to sit in comfort too. The cabin’s width and absolutely flat floor also makes seating three abreast a comfy enough affair. The option to recline the rear seat backrests is another plus point. The MG’s large glasshouse also means the view out is good, no matter where you are seated in the SUV. Once again, the panoramic sunroof on top-spec Hector’s elevates the experience further.
Drivers too will appreciate the sense of space inside the Hector and will find it easy enough to find a comfy driving position. What marks the Hector down, however, are the seats. As large as the front seats are, they don’t offer the best support and some will even find the bolstering for the lower back excessive and bothersome. We aren’t fans of the faux-leather upholstery either. It doesn’t ‘breathe’ and it feels like rexine.
What features does the Hector get?
The Hector is available in four variants and each of them gets you plenty of features for the money. Talking safety features, what’s commendable is that rear disc brakes, ABS, ESP, traction control, hill-hold control, ISOFIX child seat mounts and 3-point seatbelts for all seats are standard across the board. The Style and Super trims get two airbags, the Smart takes the airbag count up to four while the range-topping Sharp versions get six airbags.
Our value-pick of the variants is the Super trim. Aside from the aforementioned safety kit, it gets LED headlamps, cruise control, a rear parking camera, front and rear parking sensors and a 10.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, if you want your Hector with the much talked about connectivity features, you’ll have to opt for the Smart trims which gets embedded sim tech and MG’s iSmart connectivity suite. In short, the system keeps you in contact with your car via an app and also adds in as many as 100 voice-activated functions. A six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and keyless entry and go are other features of interest on the Smart trim. The range-topping Hector Sharp goes the whole hog adding in a 360-degree around-view camera, a four-way power-adjustable co-driver’s seat, a panoramic sunroof, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and mood lighting with eight colours.
What’s the Hector like on practicality?
The Hector is a large SUV and comes with a suitably large boot. The 587-litre luggage bay is simply massive and the powered tailgate on the top-spec version is a premium touch. However, the high loading lip and the low height of the removable parcel tray hurt ease of use to an extent. You can fit in loads of luggage though, and should you need more room, the rear seats split 60:40 and fold flat to give you cargo-van-rivalling space.
The interior also offers reasonable room for odds and ends. There’s a bottleholder in each of the doors a small storage box between the front seats and other bays scattered around the cabin. However, the door pockets, cupholders and glovebox could have all been a size larger.
Smartphone addicts will be happy note the MG Hector comes with three USB charging ports, including a fast-charging outlet for the rear seat.
Click below to watch our MG Hector video review: