MG Hector vs Rivals: Spec Comparo

  • Published May 15, 2019
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The Hector is the first connected SUV in the mid-size SUV segment. But is the ‘Connected Tech’ enough to take on its well established rivals?
 

UPDATE: The MG Hector has been launched with prices starting at Rs 12.18 lakh (ex-showroom pan India). Check out the complete pricelist and other details here. 

The MG Hector has finally been unveiled. Equipped with MG’s iSmart connected car technology, first-in-class features and a set of powerful engines, the MG Hector has all the right ingredients of being a serious player in the mid-size SUV segment. But it has to face stiff competition from well established players like the Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV500, Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson. Can the MG Hector disrupt the segment? We delve into the spec sheet to find out how it fares against its rivals.

Dimensions

 

MG Hector

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV500

Jeep Compass

Hyundai Tucson

Length (mm)

4655

4598

4585

4395

4475

Width (mm)

1835

1894

1890

1818

1850

Height (mm)

1760

1706

1785

1640

1660

Wheelbase (mm)

2750

2741

2700

2636

2670

Boot Space (Litres)

587

425

93 / 475*

438

513

*With third row flat.

Longest: MG Hector
Widest: Tata Harrier
Tallest: Mahindra XUV500
Longest wheelbase: MG Hector

In terms of dimensions, the MG Hector is the longest one here. In fact, it boasts of the longest wheelbase too. However, it trails behind the Mahindra and Tata in terms of height and width. The Tucson is not the longest or tallest but it does manage to beat the Hector in terms of width. The Jeep is the smallest SUV in this comparison. When it comes to boot capacity, the Hector leads the segment and is followed by the Tucson, Compass and the Harrier, respectively. The XUV has the least amount of boot space at 93 litres thanks to an additional set of seats. But if you intend to use it as a 5-seater, you can fold down the third row to reveal 475 litres of boot space. It must be mentioned that both Tata and MG are also working on seven-seater versions of their SUVs. In fact, Tata has already showcased the seven-seat version of the Harrier in the form of the Buzzard at the 2019 Geneva Motorshow.

Engine Specs and Mechanicals

Diesel

MG Hector

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV500

Jeep Compass

Hyundai Tucson

Displacement

2.0-litre

2.0-litre

2.2-litre

2.0-litre

2.0-litre

Power (PS)

170PS

140PS

155PS

173PS

185PS

Torque (Nm)

350Nm

350Nm

360Nm

350Nm

400Nm

Gearbox

6-speed MT

6-speed MT

6-speed MT and AT

6-speed MT

6-speed MT and AT

AWD

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Fuel Efficiency

17.41kmpl

16.79kmpl

14kmpl

(All variants)

17.1 kmpl

18.42kmpl/16.38kmpl (AT)

Most Powerful: Hyundai Tucson
Torquiest: Hyundai Tucson
Most Efficient: Hyundai Tucson

Coming to the oil burner first, the Hector employs the same engine as found in the Jeep Compass with almost identical power and torque figures. The Tata Harrier also employs the same Fiat-sourced unit, albeit in a lower state of tune. The XUV’s diesel motor makes more torque than the Multijet unit but produces lesser power compared to the more powerful version of the Multijet engine. However, it’s the Hyundai Tucson that boasts of class leading figures here.

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While all of them employ a 6-speed manual as standard, the Mahindra and Tucson are offered with an automatic transmission as well. It must also be mentioned that the XUV500, Jeep Compass and the Tucson also offer all-wheel-drive (AWD) if you intend to take your SUV down the beaten path. As far as the all-important fuel efficiency figures are concerned, the Hector has a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 17.41 kmpl, which is not the best in class. That crown goes to the Hyundai Tucson in both the manual and automatic guise, with a claimed mileage of 18.42 kmpl and 16.38 kmpl, respectively.

Note: Tata Harrier comes with a diesel engine only.

Petrol

MG Hector

Mahindra XUV500

Jeep Compass

Hyundai Tucson

Displacement

1.5-litre

2.2-litre

1.4-litre

2.0-litre

Power (PS)

143PS

140PS

163PS

155PS

Torque (Nm)

250Nm

320Nm

250Nm

192Nm

Gearbox

6-speed MT/6-speed AT

6-speed AT  

6-speed MT/7-speed DCT

6-speed MT and AT

AWD

No

No

No

No

Fuel Efficiency

14.16kmpl/13.96kmpl (AT)

13.85kmpl

14.3kmpl/14.1kmpl (AT)

13.03kmpl/12.95kmpl (AT)

Most Powerful: Jeep Compass
Torquiest: Mahindra XUV500
Most Fuel Efficient Manual: MG Hector
Most Fuel Efficient Automatic: Jeep Compass

The MG Hector employs a 1.5-litre turbocharged motor which churns out 143PS and 250Nm of torque. While it may not have the best performance figures here, it must be mentioned that it is the only SUV in the segment to get a 48V mild hybrid system. According to MG, this setup will not only enhance the fuel efficiency by up to 12 percent but also provides an additional torque boost in start-stop traffic.

The XUV500, on the other hand, churns out the least power here but makes the most amount of torque. The Compass, meanwhile, produces class-leading power from its relatively small engine while the Tucson makes the least amount of torque. The MG, Jeep and Hyundai employ a 6-speed stick shifter. The XUV500 petrol doesn’t come with a manual transmission, but if you require a two pedal set-up, all four SUVs come with one. When it comes to fuel efficiency, the MG Hector with the manual gearbox leads the pack. The Compass, on the other hand, is the most efficient mid-size petrol SUV with an automatic gearbox.

Features

Exteriors

MG Hector

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV500

Jeep Compass

Hyundai Tucson

Headlamps

Yes

HID Projectors

Halogen Projectors

HID Projectors

LED

Daytime Running Lamps

LED

LED

LED

Halogen

LED

Tail Lamps

Full LED

Partial LED

Halogen

Partial LED

Partial LED

The MG Hector features full LED illumination, which is a class first. Meanwhile, the XUV500 makes do with halogen projector headlamps at front and rear. The LED DRLs do spice up things in the Mahindra. The Compass and Harrier feature HID projector headlamps and partial LED tail lamps. However, the Compass employs an ordinary halogen DRL. The Hyundai also gets LED headlamps with partial LED tail lamps. 

Interiors

MG Hector

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV500

Jeep Compass

Hyundai Tucson

Infotainment

10.4-inch Touch Screen

8.8-inch Touch Screen

7-inch Touch Screen

8.4-inch Touch Screen

8-inch Touch Screen

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Climate Control

Single-Zone

Single-Zone

Single-Zone

Dual-Zone

Dual-Zone

Keyless Entry

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Push Button Start

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Auto Headlamps

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rain Sensing Wipers

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Sunroof

Panoramic

No

Yes

Panoramic

Panoramic

Cruise Control

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Powered Front Seat

Yes

No

Driver’s side only

Driver’s side only

Driver’s side only

360-Degree Camera

Yes

No

No

No

No

Auto Dimming IRVM

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Wireless Phone Charger

No

No

No

No

Yes

Powered Tail Gate

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Common features on all of them include a touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, keyless entry with push button start, auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers. The Hector offers some more niceties like a 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, powered tailgate and a first-in-class connected car tech. While the Hyundai doesn’t feature all the fancy goodies like the Hector, it offers creature comforts like a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control and a powered tailgate like the Hector. The XUV500 and the Compass aren’t sparsely equipped, but the Jeep misses out on cruise control and the Mahindra and Tata miss out on auto-dimming IRVMs, which is the case with the Hector as well. Shocking, considering that these are essential tools when you’re on the expressway. The Tata is the least equipped here as it misses out on a sunroof and powered front seats.

The iSMART connected car tech on the MG Hector can be accessed via the 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is the largest in the segment. Featuring an embedded 4G SIM, the Hector is always connected to the internet. This allows the owner to access features like emergency calls, vehicle status, remote control for the sunroof, tailgate, door lock and more. The carmaker also adds that the system is capable of receiving over the air updates for the software and features just like your regular smartphone. To know more about the iSMART connected car tech, head here.

Safety

 

MG Hector

Tata Harrier 

Mahindra XUV500 

Jeep Compass 

Hyundai Tucson

Airbags

6

6

6

6

6

ABS with EBD

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rear Parking Sensors with Rear Camera

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Electronic Stability Control

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Traction Control

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

Hill Hold Control

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Hill Descent Control

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

All five SUVs have you covered as far as safety is concerned. All of them get up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with camera, electronic stability control and hill hold control in their top-spec variants. The Hector and Compass miss out on hill descent control, whereas the Mahindra and Hyundai lack traction control. Surprisingly, it’s the Tata that covers all the bases here. Kudos Tata!

Price:

 

MG Hector

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV500

Jeep Compass

Hyundai Tucson

Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rs 12.18 lakh to Rs 16.88 lakh

(Expected)

Rs 12.70 lakh to Rs 16.26 lakh

Rs 12.32 to Rs 19.72 lakh

Rs 15.60 lakh to Rs 23.11 lakh

Rs 18.75 - 26.95 lakh

MG has launched the Hector with an aggressive price tag to take the segment by storm. With its advanced connected-car features, powerful engines and premium appeal, the Hector looks like a serious contender in the midsize SUV segment, at least on paper. It does bring quite a lot to the table. And now, all that's left to be seen is how it performs out on the roads. So, do stay tuned to ZigWheels for our thorough road test review of the MG Hector.

MG Hector 2019-2021 Video Review

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