2023 MG Hector First look

Tech Check

The car with internet inside has just gotten a facelift outside! MG Hector, made popular by its long list of connected features is about to add a few extra sheets of paper. For 2023, the distinctive front end gets an even more imposing chrome-studded grille with chrome skid-plate and redesigned bumper. New design for the 18in alloy wheels is the biggest differentiator for the side profile while the connected lightbar for the tail lights spruces up the rear end. Step inside though and you start seeing where the engineers have got their salaries from. It sports the largest infotainment touchscreen in the segment at a truly massive 14 inches of real estate. Add wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and you have a mirroring canvas that looks like the world’s biggest smartphone! There’s wireless charging as well and a couple of USB-A ports but strangely no presence of USB-C anywhere on such a tech-forward car. One of the coolest features is automatic turn indicators, which are activated when you turn the steering wheel beyond a certain angle. Yes, you no longer have to be as insensitive as the driver ahead of you.

MG has used the screen size well to visualise a 360-degree surround view camera, full-screen maps by Map My India and even to control the sunroof’s aperture. Voice commands get a boost too with regional language for navigation and a total of more than 100 voice commands in English, Hindi or Hinglish. If it sounds like prepping for Std. X board exams, worry not since you don’t have to memorise them all. Just ask MG to show up the list on the screen and you can keep revising while stuck in a jam. And while stuck in said jam, the ADAS Level-2 can chime in with Traffic Jam Assist, a spin-off from Adaptive Cruise Control where the Hector will always maintain a safe distance from the car in front, even at crawling speeds. MG says the system has been calibrated for Indian traffic conditions, so the Hector responds to not just traffic in front, but scans a wider area for eddy elements. Of course, our test drive next month will allow us to test the efficacy of the entire suite of ADAS features.

Infinity sound system, powered and ventilated front seats, 8-colour ambient lighting, Bluetooth-enabled keys for 2 additional members and reclining rear seats only add to the allure and comfort. Full drive report along with launch price information coming soon so stay tuned!