MG has revealed the Hector SUV, which happens to be its first offering for the Indian market. Here it rivals the likes of the Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV500, Hyundai Tucson and the Jeep Compass. While we have already compared the MG to the Harrier in pictures, let’s see how it looks against the XUV500 in some detailed images.
Front:
The Mahindra XUV500 features a conventional design with headlamps with LED DRLs in their usual place. These flank the signature 7-slat chrome studded grille. The Hector, on the other hand, features an unconventional styling. Its headlamps are positioned low in the bumper while the top spot is taken up by dual-purpose LED DRLs with dynamic turn indicators.
Headlight:
The XUV500 gets projector headlamps with LED DRLs. The Hector, on the other hand, gets LED projector headlamps. Even the fog lamps on the Hector get LED lighting, unlike the XUV500.
Side profile:
The Hector is 70mm longer than the XUV500 and when seen from the side, its additional length comes to notice. It also has a longer wheelbase which stands at 2750mm, 50mm more than that of the Mahindra. As far as styling is concerned, the Hector looks sporty with its floating roof, sharp shoulder line and squared off wheel arches. The XUV500 looks muscular thanks to its flared wheel arches.
| Dimensions | MG Hector | Mahindra XUV500 |
| Length | 4655mm | 4475mm |
| Width | 1835mm | 1850mm |
| Height | 1760mm | 1660mm |
| Wheelbase | 2750mm | 2670mm |
| Tyre Size | 215/60 R17 | 225/60 R17 (MT) / 225/55 R18 (AT) |
| Ground Clearance | 192mm | 172mm |
Wheels:
Both the SUVs feature dual-tone alloys. The Hector does look undertyred with those 17-inch units wrapped in 215/60 R17 tyres. The XUV500 rides on 18-inch units with 235/60 R18 tyres.
Rear:
The Hector’s rear profile looks boxy while the XUV500’s tail is more rounded off. Also, the connected tail lamp design of the Hector makes it look more in the times versus the XUV500’s. In order to make it look different, Mahindra split XUV500’s tail lamps in three parts (two on the rear quarter panel and one on the boot lid) when it introduced its facelift in 2018.
Dashboard:
On the inside, both the SUVs feature an all-black theme except for the tan leather seats on the XUV500. However, the fit and finish on the Hector looks a bit better than what we have seen in the XUV500. Also tipping the scales in MG’s favour is its large 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system which sits in the centre of the dashboard.
Infotainment:
The Hector is equipped with a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is the largest in the segment. The XUV500, on the other hand, comes with a 7-inch touchscreen unit. However, it's not only the size of the infotainment system that gives Hector an edge over the Mahindra, but it is also the additional functionality it offers.
In addition to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, which the XUV500 also offers, the Hector gets convenience features such as navigation (powered by TomTom) with live traffic alerts, a 360-degree parking camera and AI-enabled voice recognition. The Hector’s infotainment also comes with iSMART mobile application that will allow users to control the AC, door lock/unlock, tailgate and even open and close the sunroof remotely. Mahindra also offers a similar Blue Sense App, which allows users to control a number of car functions like the air con settings and infotainment controls, but not remotely.
It is to be noted that while in the Hector, the iSMART app works through E-Sim, the Blue Sense App connects to the mobile phone through Bluetooth. That means while the functions on the Hector can be controlled from anywhere, the features on the Mahindra can be controlled from inside/around the car.
Instrument Cluster:
Both the SUVs feature an analogue instrument cluster with digital MID. However, while the Mahindra features a monochrome MID, the Hector comes with a 7-inch coloured MID.
Sunroof:
The Hector is equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The XUV500, on the other hand, gets a smaller electric sunroof.
Front Seats:
The XUV500 gets 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat. The Hector, on the other hand, features power adjustment for both driver and co-driver seats. However, where the driver’s seat is 6-way adjustable in the Hector, the co-passenger seat can be adjusted in four ways.
Rear Seats:
The Hector comes with reclinable rear seats while the XUV500 gets fixed backrest for the second row of seats.
Air Conditioning:
Both the SUVs are equipped single zone climate control, however, it's only the Hector that comes with rear AC vents. The Hector’s air-con controls are a part of the touchscreen of the infotainment system while the XUV500 gets conventional knob controls for air-con settings.
Third Row Seats:
Hector is a 5-seater SUV while the XUV500 is a 7-seater offering. MG has plans to offer 7-seat version of the Hector, but it’s expected to come in about 6 months from the launch of the Hector.
Engine: Both the SUVs are available with both petrol and diesel engine options. Here is a comparison.
Petrol:
| MG Hector | Mahindra XUV500 | |
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbocharged | 2.2-litre turbocharged |
| Power | 143PS | 140PS |
| Torque | 250Nm | 320Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT/6-speed DCT | 6-speed AT |
Diesel:
| MG Hector | Mahindra XUV500 | |
| Engine | 2.0-litre | 2.2-litre |
| Power | 170PS | 155PS |
| Torque | 350Nm | 360Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT | 6-speed MT/6-speed AT |
Along with petrol and diesel engines, MG will also offer a 48V mild-hybrid option with the petrol engine. It is the first mass-market vehicle to come with a 48V hybrid system. The Hector gets regenerative braking, engine idle start/stop and E-boost. The Mahindra XUV500 also gets regenerative braking and engine idle start/stop but, while the regenerative braking is available only on the W11(O) (top-spec diesel) variant, idle start/stop is limited to diesel manual variants.
As far as off-road capability is concerned, only the XUV500 is available with a 4WD option. Mahindra offers it on the top-spec W11(O) variant only. We expect the Hector to be priced from Rs 15 lakh onwards while the XUV500 starts from Rs 12.30 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.61 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho.
