The MG Hector is entering a segment commanded as on date by the Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV500, Tata Hexa and the Jeep Compass. Of all the rivals, it is the Tata Harrier is expected to be the main rival of the MG Hector. Both cars have now been clicked together, side by side, for the first time. The images are credit to MyCarHelpLine.
Dimensions – The MG Hector gets increased overall dimensions but lower ground clearance as compared to the Tata Harrier. The MG Hector stands 4,655mm in length, 1,835mm in width and 1,760mm in height with a ground clearance of 192mm.
The Tata Harrier on the other hand measures 4,589mm in length, 1,894mm in width and 1,706mm in height with 205mm of ground clearance. This means that the Harrier is broader than the Hector by 59mm. But the Hector is longer and taller than the Harrier.
In the photos, both cars look similarly sized. MG Hector seems to have a larger road presence, thanks to a larger body and boxy SUV design. But it is the Tata Harrier which looks more stylish, modern and attractive.
The MG Hector will sit on 17” dual tone, machine cut alloy wheels. Its exteriors will boast of contoured lines and rugged styling. It will sport LED headlamps with LED DRLs, LED fog lamps and will also sport roof rails, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs and LED turn indicators on ORVMs.
The Tata Harrier, which has been on sale in the country since January 2019 has garnered much attention from buyers in its segment. It is currently the best selling car in the segment. It sits on 17” alloy wheels where its top spec variant is concerned, while lower variants get 16” wheels.
It is offered with low positioned headlamps and higher positioned DRLs, flared wheel arches, a sloping roof line and floating effect for D Pillars. Features to the rear include a sharp set of LED tail lamps and a sculpted tailgate.
The MG Hector is slated to come in with engine specifications that include a 1.5 liter turbocharged petrol engine offering 143 PS power and 250 Nm torque and a Fiat sourced 2.0 liter Multijet diesel engine capable of 173 PS power and 350 Nm torque. Both engines are mated to 6 speed MT. Petrol engine also gets optional 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Hector petrol manual also comes with hybrid system.
The Tata Harrier is powered by a Fiat soured 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder, Kryotec turbodiesel engine offering 140 bhp power and 350 Nm torque mated to a 6 speed manual sending power to the front wheels. This is the same diesel engine seen on the Hector. But it has been detuned to 140 PS in Harrier. Though none of the two cars come with 4×4 or AWD, Harrier does get drive modes, which give it an edge over Hector in difficult road conditions.
MG Hector is expected to be priced similar to the Harrier, in the Rs.15-20 lakhs range, on-road. It will be interesting to see how car buyers in India react to the MG Hector. Will it beat Tata Harrier in sales and become the new No 1 in the segment, or will Harrier continue to rule at top, only time will tell.
