Review | 2021 MG Hector CVT Automatic Comes With Fresh Styling, Better Efficiency & Ride Quality
New Hector has a much better interior with a lighter dual tone upholstery which makes it more premium. The massive touch screen remains the same though it works better than the other Hector's driven.
These days the demand for automatics is increasing and the fear of maintenance or fuel economy is no longer there. Modern automatic gearboxes are more reliable and more efficient while also being smoother. Case in point the new 2021 Hector CVT. We already have the Hector 1.5l turbo petrol with a DCT dual clutch automatic but MG recently launched the CVT version to give more choice.
The question remains as to why, since the Hector DCT is already there and the answer is that the CVT is regarded as a better automatic gearbox for city traffic and basically driving around the city along with occasional highway runs. Another key element is the added efficiency that the CVT gives. The DCT is there for those who like performance more while the CVT is for those who want a city driven SUV and along with better efficiency.
Personally, I like CVTs more for city use since they are better suited along with actually being more efficient. The Hector CVT is like that also and one of the most impressive CVTs as far as the driving experience is concerned. The CVT fits with the personality of the Hector and makes it a smooth cruiser in the city.
At low speeds, the Hector CVT is effortless to drive and the gearbox adjusts to low speed progress very well. There is an eco mode for better efficiency which dulls throttle response while there is a manual mode via the gear lever too. That said, there are no paddle shifters but the car does not need them in the first place.
Where the Hector CVT scores is the nice and smooth engine which has been made better with the CVT. It is a big comfortable SUV that cruises very well with ease- the CVT brings a smoother performance over the DCT. Everything else remains the same and the Hector rides comfortably and is also a very good chauffeur driven SUV with ample space at the back.
Speaking of which, the new Hector has a much better interior with a lighter dual tone upholstery which makes it more premium. The massive touch screen remains the same though it works better than the other Hector's I have driven. The screen display, menus and other functions are neatly stacked while the in-built apps (like Gaana) are also nice.
The Hector was already feature rich with dual power seats, panoramic sunroof and a 360 degree camera but now there is an electronic parking brake, ventilated seats, wireless charging and auto-dimming IRVM. The voice assistant feature also recognizes Hinglish commands and you can even open/close the sunroof via this function too.
The CVT makes the Hector petrol a lot more desirable now along with the new interior plus feature upgrades. The CVT is more efficient (double digit figures now in city driving traffic) while it makes the driving experience smooth with none of the CVT disadvantages.
The massive space, comfortable suspension, bigger wheels further makes it a much more desirable SUV. At Rs 16.5 lakh for the Smart to Rs 18 lakh for the Sharp version, the 2021 Hector CVT is our choice in the Hector range while also being one of the better suited SUVs to tackle our concrete jungle.
What we like- CVT gearbox smoothness, space, new features, better efficiency, ride quality, value
What we do not like- Diesel automatic combination missing as only petrols get automatics
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