MG Astor Pros And Cons – Hyundai Creta Rival

The Kia Seltos-rivalling MG Astor is one of the most VFM SUVs in the market and is the most affordable car in India to have LEVEL 2 ADAS

The MG Astor is currently the most affordable SUV in the brand’s line-up and takes on mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, VW Taigun, and the Skoda Kushaq. The Astor not only offers a practical and a feature-rich cabin but in addition to this also boasts stellar looks and refined engine options. Having said this, with a starting price of Rs 10.28 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the MG Astor appeals to almost all the buyers in the market. If you are also planning to buy the new MG Astor or a new SUV in this segment, here are the top 5 MG Astor Pros and Cons that you should check out.

MG Astor Pros And Cons

Pros

Looks

The MG Astor boasts an elegant and sophisticated design language that makes it one of the best-looking SUVs under Rs 20 lakh in India. The large celestial grille at the front looks great and is complemented by stylish LED projector headlamps with DRLs. Unlike many other SUVs that now get bumper-mounted headlamps, it is the Astor that still looks conventional and better. The side profile is no different and looks attractive from a distance. The dual-cut R-17 alloy wheels and a proportionate silhouette further make it a better-looking SUV when compared to its rivals. The Astor, in addition to this, is also the largest SUV in the segment in terms of dimensions but gets the smallest wheelbase. Having said this, I personally loved Astor’s road presence and the SUV definitely looks great and better than many of its rivals.

Features List

The features on offer with the Astor make it a great package for those looking for a feature-rich SUV at affordable prices. For starters, the SUV gets features like a large panoramic sunroof, a large touchscreen infotainment system with Internet connectivity, a digital instrument console, auto climate control, 360-degree camera, steering mounted controls, connected car tech, mobile phone key, and more. In addition to this, the Astor also gets other features like remote unlock and start, rear wipers, push-button start, electric driver seat adjustment, rear defogger, and more. In all, you do get a lot of features with the Astor that make it a VFM purchase for you.

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In-Cabin Experience

Unlike most of its rivals, the MG Astor boasts super-premium interiors that will impress you as soon as you step inside the car. The soft-to-touch dashboard with premium leather inserts improves the in-cabin experience. The dual-tone finish, comfortable seats, premium materials used and a large sunroof make the cabin not only look great but also a great place to be in. In all, be it comfort levels, NVH levels, or the overall premium feel, the Astor will definitely impress you with its package.

Refined Powertrain

The MG Astor is available with two petrol engine options that can be had with either a manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter unit. While the performance is decent, the NVH levels and refinement levels are great. Even when the car is being pushed hard, the cabin remains a quiet place to be in and you won’t notice any harsh vibrations inside the cabin. The road noise and wind noise too are well controlled at high speeds.

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Safety

The MG Astor is currently the most affordable car to be offered with LEVEL 2 ADAS and gets features like lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and more. Furthermore, other features like traction control, six airbags, hill hold assist, hill descent control, and more are also on offer in addition to the standard safety features like ABS and EBD.

Cons

No Diesel Engine!

Unlike many of its rivals, the MG Astor is only available with petrol engine options. In addition to this, it also misses out on an optional DCT gearbox for the buyers who are looking for a smooth and fun-to-drive car. While both the petrol engines impressed us with the performance and refinement levels, the fuel economy was nothing to talk home about. An optional diesel powertrain will definitely make the Astor more practical and help it cater to a wider range of buyers.

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Some Missing Essential Features

Despite having a long and extensive features list, the MG Astor misses out on many features that are being offered at this price point. For starters, unlike the rivals like the Creta and the Seltos, the MG Astor misses out on features like seat ventilation, cooled glovebox, auto-dimming IRVMs, and more. Other features like wireless charging, electric tailgate operation, etc are also missing from the package.

Not So Great Dynamics

A soft-suspension setup and a super-light steering wheel not only take a toll on the driving experience but in addition to this, also affect the overall dynamics of the car. While the Astor is an extremely comfortable car at slow speeds, the body roll is prominent at higher speeds and even the slightest of the undulations on the highway results in loads of vertical movements. If you are looking for an SUV that has great dynamics and enjoys being thrown into the corners, the Astor might not be the best choice for you.

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