In 2022, MG introduced the Astor as its next midsize SUV, positioning it below the Hector. With the Astor, MG aims to offer a unique proposition, equipping it with a few first-in-class features like ADAS and AI-assisted talking robots for various in-car connected features. Available as a petrol-only SUV, the MG Astor comes with two powertrain options.
MG Astor: Variants and prices
The MG Astor is now available in India in nine different variants - Style EX, Style, Super EX, Super, Smart EX, Smart, Sharp EX, Sharp, and Savvy. All these variants come with the 1.5-litre petrol engine as standard, though the Smart, Sharp, and Savvy are also offered with a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. Here are all the variants of the MG Astor, along with their prices:
Petrol manual:
Style EX - Rs 10.52 lakh
Style - Rs 10.58 lakh
Super EX - Rs 12.20 lakh
Super - Rs 12.26 lakh
Smart EX - Rs 13.82 lakh
Smart - Rs 13.88 lakh
Sharp EX - Rs 14.76 lakh
Sharp - Rs 14.88 lakh
Petrol CVT:
Super - Rs 13.68 lakh
Smart - Rs 15.08 lakh
Sharp - Rs 15.88 lakh
Savvy - Rs 16.80 lakh
Turbo-petrol AT:
Smart - Rs 16.78 lakh
Sharp - Rs 17.70 lakh
Savvy - Rs 18.43 lakh
MG Astor: Specifications
There are two petrol-powered engine options in the lineup of MG Astor in India's a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol.
Available with a 5-speed manual and CVT gearbox options, the 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 110 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque.
The 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, available only with a 6-speed torque converter, claims 140 PS of power and 220 Nm of torque.
MG hasn't revealed the fuel efficiency figures of the Astor. However, owners claim fuel efficiency of 12-13 km/l in the city and 15-16 km/l on highways with the 1.5-litre petrol engine. In the case of turbocharged petrol, it ranges between 9-10 km/l in the city and 13-14 km/l on highways.
MG Astor: Exterior
Unlike most of its competitors, which have an upright stance, the MG Astor has a more crossover-like design with a slightly slanted, low-slung bonnet line.
The Astor comes with LED projector Hawkeye headlamps, boomerang-shaped LED DRLs, and a hexagonal bold celestial grille as standard across the range.
The MG Astor also has LED tail lamps and faux dual exhaust ports at the back, with the top-spec variants getting machined alloy wheels. The turbo-petrol variants get different designs for the machined alloy wheels and red brake callipers.
MG Astor: Interior
The MG Astor has three leather upholstery options for the top-spec variants: Tuxedo Black, Ivory, and Sangria Red. The lower variants come with a dual-tone Ivory fabric upholstery.
The cabin of the Astor feels high-tech, with features like a 7-inch fully-digital instrument console and a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen is a window to various connected car features under the i-SMART suite and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The unique feature of the interior of Astor is the AI assistant in the form of a talking robot. Besides performing various in-car functions, it also answers questions using Wikipedia content, reads news and jokes, and shows interactive emojis.
Other premium features in the cabin of the Astor include a panoramic sunroof, auto AC, cruise control, a 6-speaker audio system, a powered driver's seat, and a push start-stop button. It is the only SUV in its category that lacks ventilated front seats and a wireless charger.
MG Astor: Safety
The MG Astor is the first SUV in its segment to offer Level 2 ADAS. It packs features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Other features in this suite include a lane change assist, a speed assist system, blind spot detection, intelligent headlamp control, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Astor also gets a tyre pressure monitoring system, reverse parking sensors, an electric parking brake, and a 360-degree parking camera.
The other safety features in the Astor are six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill hold control, hill descent control, traction control, and cornering brake control.
Is the MG Astor worth the hype around it?
The MG Astor might not be the most feature-rich SUV in its category, nor does it create performance and fuel efficiency benchmarks. However, it makes a strong case for itself with its plush interiors and class-leading tech with features like ADAS, an AI assistant, and a 360-degree parking camera.
The i-SMART hub of connected car features also packs in a few in-built applications, with Park+ being one of them. This feature allows you to find and book a parking slot from your vehicle before reaching that spot. download the Park+ App now!Of SUVs?