2019 MG Hector review, road test

The sense of space inside the Hector is enhanced by the large windows and massive panoramic sunroof. The dashboard has a straightforward, clean design and is dominated by the massive 10.4-inch, portrait-oriented touchscreen. Most of the functions are touch-controlled and the only physical buttons you get are for the volume control, and the front and rear defoggers. The touchscreen itself has a bright and high-contrast display that is easy to read in harsh light, but the touch response is a bit slow. When you rush through the functions, the screen doesn’t hang momentarily like before, thanks to some software upgrades but is still slow.

The quality of materials for the most part is good, but look closely and there are a few iffy bits, like the uneven fit on the leather and some hard plastic panels low down. A neat touch is a 5V fast-charging USB port with the traditional AUX port, and multiple storage areas in the armrest, centre console and door pads.

The driver’s seat is very SUV-like and even at its lowest setting, you have a commanding view of the road. The six-way electrically adjustable seat, along with tilt and telescopic adjust for the steering, allows you to find the perfect driving position in a jiffy.

The front seats are huge and very generously cushioned, maybe too generously. The lumbar support is a bit excessive and that can get uncomfortable on long drives. The steering wheel, too, is wrapped in artificial leather but feels quite comfortable to hold, and the steering- mounted buttons have a nice tactile feel. The instrument cluster is simple and has easy-to-read dials, but the rev-counter needle swings anticlockwise and takes a while to get used to. Between the dials, you also get a 7.0-inch colour MID display that shows you just about everything – from infotainment settings to even a tyre pressure monitor. However, a big ergonomic glitch we discovered is that the glare from sunlight makes the instruments difficult to read. It’s no problem at night when the cluster lights up with a cool, blue glow. And to add to the ambience,  you also get eight-colour mood lighting for the cabin that changes colour automatically.

Move over to the back and it is evident that the rear seat is the place to be in the Hector. Thanks to that lengthy wheelbase, you have sumptuous legroom, and the completely flat floor means three can be seated comfortably. The backrest can also be reclined for extra comfort and the low window line, paired to the large panoramic sunroof, makes the cabin cheerfully bright.

Back seat comfort is superlative, thanks to a high H-point, which allows for an optimal sitting posture, a generous squab, which offers good thigh support, and a back rest that reclines quite a bit and comes in handy when you want to grab a quick nap. In short, you won’t find yourself wiggling or shuffling in your seat for a more comfortable position. At the back, too, you have a 5V USB slot along with a small cubbyhole to keep your phone or wallet.

The lavish passenger room hasn’t come at the expense of boot space. The massive rear overhang has allowed 587 litres to be carved out for luggage, and this space can be expanded enormously by flipping the middle seats forward. Access, however, is difficult as the boot lip is high, making loading heavy luggage a bit of a task.