2021 MG Hector: What makes it a leader in its segment?

The 2021 MG Hector raises the bar with its class-leading comfort, space, styling, and safety features.

MG has had huge success in India with the launch of its flagship SUV, the Hector, in 2019. Soon after its debut, the Hector rose in the popularity charts and went on to become the best-selling SUV in its segment. To keep the momentum going, MG has now updated the Hector with a host of cosmetic updates and significant feature additions for this model year. We take a deep look into the new 2021 MG Hector to find out what makes this new 5-seater SUV a preferred choice among buyers in its class.

Best-in-class Features

At its launch, the Hector came with best-in-segment features such as powered front seats, a 360-degree camera, a 10.4-inch iSmart infotainment system, an electric tailgate, ambient lighting, an embedded SIM card for internet connectivity, and a massive panoramic sunroof. Back then, these features were only available on cars from a segment or two above. As a result, the Hector set new segment benchmarks for comfort, convenience, and feature-rich cabin.

And now with its 2021 model, MG is once again raising the bar by adding many more significant features to its already well-adorned SUV. The refreshed Hector offers buyers ventilated front seats, an extremely useful feature in a hot climate like ours. The SUV now also comes equipped with wireless charging besides adding the convenience of an auto-dimming IRVM to its impressive list of features. In addition, the Hector’s 6-way powered driver seat and first-in-class 4-way powered co-driver seat makes it the most comprehensively equipped SUV in its segment.

Segment-Best Connectivity

The Hector is widely commended as India’s first internet SUV, thanks to its revolutionary iSmart system that works on the internet connectivity offered by an eSIM. The iSmart is like a virtual command centre that allows users to activate or deactivate certain features of the SUV using voice commands. In the 2021 Hector, MG has upgraded iSmart system with the first-in-industry feature of ‘Hinglish’ commands. The system now understands more than 35 Hinglish commands that can be used to control the sunroof, air conditioner, music system, FM, volume, and many more. Even more impressive is the newly added features such as smartwatch connectivity (i-SMART app), voice search for music on Gaana app, external Wi-Fi connectivity, engine start alarm, speed limit warning, voice alerts for tyre pressure, weather forecast via Accuweather app, and many more. Further, the panoramic sunroof, first-in-class Infinity sound system, and 7-inch coloured MID make every drive in the new Hector a memorable experience.

Best-in-class Space and Build Quality

The 2021 MG Hector builds on its predecessor’s legacy to offer best-in-class space to occupants. It stretches 4655mm from bumper to bumper, which makes it the longest SUV in its segment. More importantly, the SUV has the longest wheelbase of 2750mm in its segment that translates into plentiful legroom and knee room for both front and rear seat occupants. Further, the 1835mm wide and 1760mm tall cabin offers a great deal of shoulder room and headroom, something that holds great importance to buyers in this segment. In fact, the 2021 MG Hector is one of the most spacious SUVs in its segment that is capable of accommodating three fully grown adults in the backseat with utmost comfort and convenience. Even the boot capacity which is rated at 587 litres is the best in its class. What further makes the cabin airier is the use of new Champagne and Black upholstery. The new colour augments the sense of space and equips the cabin of the new Hector with a stylish yet sophisticated demeanour.

As before, the build quality on the updated Hector is impressive and the way the doors shut with a solid thud is very reassuring. MG has worked on the in-cabin acoustics and thanks to the use of sound-deadening material, hardly any wind or tyre noise filters inside the cabin. The in-cabin acoustics in 2021 Hector are simply best-in-class and further adding to the hush of the cabin is the use of ultra-refined engines that are barely audible even at high RPMs.

Class-Leading Performance

Just like its class-leading space, quality, and interiors, 2021 MG Hector brings the best in the performance department as well. For buyers who do the long commutes daily, a 2-litre turbo diesel engine with 170bhp and 350Nm on tap is an ideal option to go with. The oil-burner is an effortless performer and happy to munch miles with its strong mid-range and punchy top-end performance. It comes mated to a precise-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox and the frugal nature of the combo ensures you won’t feel the pinch of rising fuel prices.

For others seeking convenience and driving comfort, there is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol motor with a rated output of 141 bhp and 250 Nm. The engine also gets a 48V mild-hybrid iteration that offers a host of new-age features such as E-boost, regenerative braking, and engine idle auto start-stop system to aid power, performance and driving pleasure. The petrol variant also offers the convenience of automatic transmissions (DCT and CVT) besides offering the standard option of a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Vault-like Safety

With 25+ safety features including first-in-segment front parking sensors and heated ORVMs, the 2021 MG Hector offers vault-like safety to its occupants. It comes equipped with six safety airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, electronic stability program (ESP), traction control system (TCS), hill-hold assist, front and rear disc brakes, electric parking brake, 360-degree around-view camera, tyre pressure monitoring system and cornering front fog lamps. Besides, ISOFIX child seat mounts, rear parking sensors, and a 3-point seatbelt for all passengers are also part of the safety package on the new Hector.

MG Shield: Best-in-class ownership Experience

When you buy the new 2021 Hector, you get the assurance of the best-in-class ownership experience - courtesy the MG SHIELD program. Under this industry-first initiative, customers get a 5-year/Unlimited KMs warranty, five periodic services free of labour charge, and five years of roadside assistance. What further sweetens the deal is the lowest total cost of ownership that Hector offers in its class - 45 paisa/km for petrol variant and 60 paise/km for diesel model. Moreover, with more than 250 touch points spread across the length and breadth of the country, you'll never be too far from MG’s responsive and caring dealership network.

Conclusion

Credited as India's first internet SUV, the 2021 MG Hector has so much to offer in its new avatar. The updated model comes with a new chrome-studded front grille, dual-tone paint job, and bigger 18-inch alloys for a strong and purposeful stance. Inside the cabin, things have changed to bring more luxury, opulence, and a sense of enhanced space to occupants. MG has also added some significant, first-in-segment features to the 2021 Hector that makes this new 5-seater SUV a cut above the rest.