MG Astor

Overview

Launched by the British car manufacturer Morris Garages (MG), the MG Astor is one of the top competitors in the compact SUV segment in India. The MG Astor is aimed at providing a premium experience to Indian buyers with modern design, advanced technology and a range of features. The Astor promises to cater to needs of a tech enthusiast, a style conscious driver or even a family that is looking for a versatile car. In this article, we will go over the features, performance, design and all the other features of this one very impressive SUV.

Exterior Design: Bold and Dynamic

The MG Astor has a contemporary design and aggressive SUV styling on the outside. At the front of the car, there is a large, bold grille that is home to the iconic MG badge in the middle. With its sharp, angular LED headlamps, this vehicle gives a modern, fierce looking, backed up by the broad air dam that gives a commanding presence on the road.

The Astor’s sleekly styled body lines and prominent wheel arches on the sides lend it muscular profile and good road presence. Its dual tone paint options also add a touch of premium to it. Also, the SUV comes fitted with 17 inch diamond cut alloy wheels that enhance its dynamic stance.

The tailgate design of the MG Astor at the rear looks elegant and sporty and the LED tail lamps give a contemporary touch to the rear. The Astor's combination of sophistication and toughness is an overall design that makes it stand out in its segment.

Interior Design: Spacious and Tech-Loaded

The MG Astor takes comfort and technology to a whole new level inside. There is plenty of headroom and legroom for front and rear passengers alike. Soft touch leather upholstery and high quality materials found in the cabin give a feel of a premium. The layout of the dashboard is clean with a minimalist design that suits the futuristic approach of the SUV.

This is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sits in the middle of the dash. The car supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and the brand’s own i-Smart technology that includes over the air updates and advanced voice commands. In addition, the Astor possesses a 7-inch digital driver’s display that lets the driver get information in a clear and readable format.

Additionally, the cabin also gets a panoramic sunroof, setting you in an open and airy space. With 587 liters of generous boot space, you can bring all your luggage along without a fuss and hence, the Astor makes for a great companion on long trips or weekend getaways.

Powertrain and Performance: Efficient and Fun to Drive

There are two engine options offered on the MG Astor – a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.3 liter turbocharged petrol engine. In the variant, both engines are coupled with either 6 speed manual transmission or automatic transmission.

With around 110 PS and 144 Nm of torque, the 1.5 liter engine is a good bet for the segment. This is a car which offers a smooth and comfortable driving experience and is the perfect car for city commutes and highway drives. It comes with a 1.3 liter turbocharged engine which gives a boost of power, around 140 PS and 220 Nm of torque so it can be the best option for those who desire more spirited driving.

Both the engines are fuel efficient and the 1.5 liter engine delivers an average mileage of around 16-17 km/l whereas the turbo charged engine gives an average of 14-15 km/l. The Astor’s balance between power and fuel efficiency makes it an attractive option for people who want an SUV to use daily and on long drives.

Handling and Ride Comfort: A Smooth Experience

The suspension setup of MG Astor ensures the ride quality is smooth and comfortable even on the rough and uneven roads. At the front, the SUV has a McPherson strut, while it has a torsion beam setup at the rear. The combination of these extremely different engineering philosophies seems to give the car a balance of handling and comfort as it should be stable at high speeds and comfortable for city commutes.

At low speeds, the steering is light and easy to handle in city traffic. At higher speeds, however, it becomes more precise and gives good feedback for a confident driving experience. In addition, the SUV comes with driving modes of Eco, Normal and Sport to allow the driver to customize the performance according to his or her liking.

Safety Features: Comprehensive Protection

Safety features are loaded on the MG Astor for the safety of the occupants. Along with a segment first in this category, the SUV comes with a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These systems include:

- Adaptive Cruise Control: The system will set the car’s speed depending on traffic.
- Lane Keep Assist: Assist to keep the driver in the lane, and assist the steering when required.
- Automatic Emergency Braking: It will apply the brakes in case of a possible collision.
- Blind Spot Detection: It notifies the driver about the existence of other vehicles in the blind spot and helps in safer lane changes.

Besides, the usual safety features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear view camera, parking sensors and electronic stability control (ESC) also comes with the Astor. The Astor has one of the safest SUVs in its segment with all these safety features and drivers as well as passengers can feel at ease.

Technology and Connectivity: Smart and Intuitive

The MG Astor comes with lots of technology that sets it apart from its rivals. The i-Smart system also has over the air (OTA) updates, meaning the car will always be updated with the latest features and improvements without a trip to the service center. It also includes voice commands so you can use your voice to control such things as navigation, music, and climate control all handsfree.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen display is very visible and has a very responsive touch interface. Additionally, it supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well, which lets you easily share your smartphone with the car’s infotainment system. Not only does the system support in car Wi-Fi, which keeps passengers connected for long journeys.

Variants and Pricing: A Value for Money Package

The MG Astor comes in various variants to suit different buyer needs. The SUV has three main variants: Style, Super and Smart, each variant having different levels of features and specifications.

So, the base model of Style is equipped with basics like a touchscreen infotainment system, power-adjustable ORVMs, basic safety features and other creature features. The Super and Smart variants get a slew of features on top including panoramic sunroof, more advanced driver assistance systems, larger (12.3 inch) digital driver display and premium upholstery.

As far as pricing is concerned, MG Astor is priced very competitively in the segment starting at around ?9.78 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be a tough competitor to the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

Conclusion: A Strong Contender in the Compact SUV Segment

The MG Astor is a well rounded SUV which has a premium experience without the premium price tag. The Astor comes with a stylish design, tech laden interior, powerful performance and advanced safety features making it an option of choice for those that want a feature packed SUV. The Astor caters to a whole range of customer needs be it for a tech driven driver, a family looking for comfort and space or even someone who likes his driving experience to be thrilling.

Indeed, the MG Astor is certainly one of the most exciting entries in the compact SUV segment with its blend of design, technology, safety and value for money, and it is bound to leave a lasting impression on Indian roads.