2019 MG Hector review, road test

The first SUV from MG in India surely is trending. We tell you if it’s worth all the hype, with a full-fledged road test.

Published on Oct 08, 2019 05:00:00 AM

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There is no missing the Hector with its 4.65m length and striking design.

You just can’t miss the Hector; its sheer size hits you before you even start focusing on the design details. In fact, it looks half a size bigger than its rivals and that’s a great start for an SUV whose road presence is intrinsic to its appeal.

The massive front grille is lined with chrome and proudly flaunts the MG logo, giving the Hector a strong face that won’t go unnoticed. Also standing out is the striking headlight cluster that gets the full DRL treatment. The design, too, is in sync with the latest trend of having DRL strips above the headlights, which are located lower down, close to the bumper. And in the Hector’s case, they are flanked by a chunky L-shaped chrome strip.

LED DRLs with LED headlights and fog lamps offer excellent illumination.

It’s from the side that the Hector looks the most gargantuan, with its 4,655mm length easily making it the longest SUV in its class. In fact, the Hector’s length and long overhangs mask its considerable 2,750mm wheelbase, which is again the best in class. Look at it from the side and you can see how the long wheelbase adds to the Hector’s size. These proportions have served to dwarf the 215/60 R17 tyres that don’t quite fill out the wheel wells and look scrawny for such a bulky-looking SUV. This spoils the Hector’s SUV credibility to some extent, as does the fact that this is an SUV designed with no off-road ambitions. However, it not being a serious off-roader won’t be a concern for a majority of buyers, who will be content with the ground clearance of 183mm, which is sufficient for our roads.

17-inch alloy wheel design looks sharp, but feels a size too small.

The rear is simple in comparison to the front, but here too the angular and edgy theme has been carried over and the beefy-looking scuff plate adds to the Hector’s visual bulk. The LED tail-lamps are joined by a reflector strip, and the Audi-esque swiping LED indicators are a premium touch.

There are several other nice touches as well, like the tasteful chrome running board that sits at the bottom of the front and rear doors, with ‘Morris Garages’ prominently engraved on it. The pinched rear glass and the blackened glass surrounding the D-pillar add some style and make the Hector look less boxy.

Now, if all this is a bit too plain for your taste, MG also offer a host of accessories like chrome bits for the door handles, tail-lamps and bumpers to give the Hector even more bling.

Audi-esque swiping LED indicators look upmarket.

The Hector felt a lot more solid than we expected and the doors shut with a nice, reassuring thud. However, build quality is a bit inconsistent, with large panel gaps around the bonnet and tailgate area.

However, the paint quality is top notch, with no orange peel and a deep gloss, which contributes significantly to the Hector’s rich looks.