GOOD FOR: Spacious cabin, Feature rich
LOOK OUT FOR: Infotainment issues, DCT gearbox
Morris Garages or MG begun its India innings in 2019 with the launch of the Hector. Thanks to its striking design, spacious cabin and equipment levels, the SUV soon became very popular with the Indian customer, garnering waiting periods that stretched out to months.
Lavish chrome trimming; 17-inch alloys look small against the large profile.
It also commanded a very good resale value, but now with a facelifted version arriving soon and the XUV700 proving to be popular, prices for used Hectors have begun to slide. Here are some things to note about the MG Hector before you buy a used one.
MG Hector: engine, gearbox and fuel efficiency
The Hector is powered by a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine that makes 170hp and 350Nm, and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 143hp and 250Nm. A 6-speed manual is standard on both engines, while the turbo-petrol comes with the option of either a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (sold till January 2022) or an 8-step CVT automatic gearbox (sold February 2021 onwards).
Additionally, there’s a 48V mild-hybrid petrol model too (with the 6-speed manual gearbox only), which is said to be more fuel efficient than the standard petrol. The mild-hybrid system also provides up to 20Nm of additional torque at low speeds to help counter turbo lag and allow for improved acceleration.
In our fuel efficiency tests, the Hector diesel managed 16.5kpl on the highway and 12.6kpl in the city, while the petrols were naturally thirstier. The petrol-manual did 7.25kpl and 10.27kpl, while the petrol-DCT delivered a low 6.9kpl and 9kpl, in the city and highway, respectively. We haven’t tested the petrol-hybrid and petrol-CVT versions, but expect them to be more efficient than the petrol-DCT.
If your usage includes regular highway trips and if fuel efficiency is very important to you, you should opt for the diesel Hector. The engine is a tried-and-tested Fiat unit that is reliable, efficient and has enough performance on tap. However, if outstation trips will be only occasional, you could look at one of the petrols. And if it’s an automatic you are looking for, then opt for the CVT gearbox over the DCT, as it’s more efficient and smoother with its shifts and will prove to be more reliable too.
MG Hector: variants and features
The Hector was launched in four trims – Style, Super, Smart and Sharp – and all of them are reasonably equipped in relation to their price. The top-spec Sharp is equipped with features like a 10.4-inch, portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system that comes with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, AI-powered voice assist, pre-loaded apps and an embedded Airtel SIM card, as well as a 360-degree camera, a four-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an Infinity audio system, a massive panoramic sunroof, heated ORVMs, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, 17-inch alloys and mood lighting with eight colours.
As for safety, the Hector features two airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, traction control, rear parking sensors and disc brakes on all four wheels as standard. The Smart variant gets four airbags and the Sharp gets six. Any variant you choose will give you a decent features list, but if you don’t mind spending a bit more, go for the top-spec Sharp, as you’ll get all the feel-good and safety features.
MG offers a 5-year/unlimited km warranty plan, along with a 5-year/unlimited km roadside assistance scheme with the Hector as standard, so you’ll have that peace of mind despite buying a used car. Also, as per our resale value study last year, the MG Hector has the best-in-class resale value, which is an added bonus.
What to look out for in a used MG Hector
Infotainment issues
A big draw for Hector buyers was its large touchscreen infotainment system. However, it is slow to respond and many owners have faced issues with it. Some report that it is very laggy and takes a good few seconds to come on once the car is started, which seems to be getting slower for some owners. Owners have also complained about the voice recognition system not being up to par. If the system is just slow to respond but works well, its likely fine; however, if things do not work or respond at all, get the system checked out.
DCT gearbox
A few owners have faced heating issues with the DCT gearbox of the Hector. When the car is in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic, look out for a warning on the dash. Furthermore, the Hector’s DCT isn’t the most quick-shifting, which is something you’d expect from a dual-clutch gearbox. It’s also worth noting that the DCT’s real-world fuel economy hovers in single digits, even on the highway.
MG announced a recall for approximately 14,000 units of the BS6 petrol-DCT Hector, in order to rectify an emissions-related issue. Dealerships were instructed to contact owners of the affected models and rectify the issue, so it’s best to check if this has been done if you’re looking at this model.
Used MG Hector price and resale value
Rs 13 lakh-18 lakh
Prices for the Hector in the used market are still hovering on the higher side, so expect to pay anywhere between Rs 13 lakh and 18 lakh, depending on the model you go for. However, with a facelift right around the corner, there is scope for you to negotiate the price down.
| MG Hector Factfile | |
|---|---|
| Years produced | 2019-Present |
| Price when new | From Rs 12.18 lakh (ex-showroom, India) |
| Engine | 4 cyls, 1451cc, turbo-petrol/ 4 cyls, 1956cc, turbo-diesel |
| Power | 143/170hp |
| Torque | 250/350Nm |
| Boot space | 587 litres |
| Ground clearance | 183mm |
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