Re: MG India's first SUV named Hector. Edit: Launched @ 12.18L I booked Hector Diesel Super on June 14 at Tejpal Motors, Navi Mumbai. Due to tremendous rush in the showroom the next day when test drives started, I was unable to test the vehicle over next 2 weekends. After skipping a few more weekends and to wait for the Diesel test car, finally, I was able to test drive both Petrol Hybrid AT and Diesel versions today morning.
Test drives were very short, and on straight highway. The MG representative accompanying me on the drive was newly recruited and had very limited knowledge of the product, with no product training whatsoever. He had no answers to most of my queries.
Diesel (Smart): The car had some strange strong smell inside the cabin. Not the typical of new vehicles, not diesel, not due to humid / wet seats, not like the bad AC filter, something very strange). Ignoring the smell and wet muddy well due to monsoons, I adjusted the seat, steering and mirror positions, moved the vehicle a bit and tested braking before I started the test drive. The clutch was much harder than my XUV500(D), travel also long, but lesser than XUV500. Gear shifting was on the rougher side but latched accurately each time, no rubbery feel and no bouncing back effect. Clutch engagement was not linear though, initially felt jerk during starting off as the clutch engages too early and too sharply, I had to re-calibrate my pedal usage. There was noticeable turbo lag. Second gear also felt sluggish compared to my XUV500 and Nexon(D). However, once I crossed the 40Kmph mark shifting to the third, the engine felt very powerful and responsive. NVH levels were good at lower RPMs, however became intrusive at higher RPM. The dash display warned once the speed touched 80Kmph mark. I could see the instantaneous mileage fluctuating between 6.5 Kmpl to 40Kmpl (when clutch was disengaged at the time of shifting gears). Suspension was found to be slightly on softer side and could feel some body roll during U turn. Steering was very comfortable to hold, rightly sized and light, and could mask the weight of the vehicle well. Could not figure out feedback much due to very short drive. MG representative could not answer any of the queries related to the features, how to reset average fuel consumption counter and other parameters. Obviously, he was in a hurry to rush back for other customers waiting for test drive.
Petrol (Sharp): Had no smell as the Diesel version, but still had the muddy well as expected during rains. Following my regular procedure of all adjustments, I shifted to Drive mode to test braking effect before the drive. There was no parking brake indication, but I felt it was locked as soon as I started to release the brake pedal. Unlike the mechanical lever in Diesel Smart variant, this Petrol variant had electronic parking brake switch, and on releasing it, I could feel everything normal. There was a turbo lag, but gear shifts were smooth. There was a slight rubber-band effect I felt below 40Kmph, after which things felt smoother. Instantaneous mileage display fluctuated between 2 to 6.7 Kmpl on straight highway ~60 Kmph speed. The drive was very short, roughly 2.5Km and left me dissatisfied. When engaging the “P” mode, I could notice that vehicle did not lock it’s wheel, it had gone into Neutral and vehicle started slowly rolling on the slope with engine off, although the P light turned on. Electronic parking switch engaged the brakes properly, the “P” mode was definitely unreliable as the same effect could be easily reproduced. MG rep had no answers to any queries.
Overall, I liked the vehicle’s build quality, well organized engine bay area, however I strongly felt that MG has to sort out several initial niggles, fine tune the clutch and provide matching 5 year warranty for the electronics too. Engine bay area had most pipes made of flexible thin plastic or possibly silicone, which may have high cost of replacement as plastics are not covered under most insurance policies.
There is no timeframe provided yet for the deliveries to begin. Response from MG team was also vague. It took them nearly 3 weeks to provide me booking reference number after the cheque payment. MG claimed the dealer allocates the vehicle, while the dealer said both MG and dealers together decide allocation.
I strongly feel I should wait for real feedback from buyers before I issue the cheque. I did face several niggles with the XUV500 from the first batch I bought in 2011. I no longer have time and energy to become guinea pig once more. I will also keep options of other manufacturers open.
Last edited by Pulse500 : 14th July 2019 at 16:00.
Reason: Corrected the test drive model
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