In a nutshell, the MG Hector Plus is the new three-row, six-seat
derivative of the Hector we’re all familiar with. The standard Hector’s
rear bench seat makes way for a pair of captain’s chairs on the Hector
Plus, while further back a duo of seats has been added to form the new
third row. On paper, then, the Hector Plus is both, a more luxurious and
a more practical Hector.
EXTERIOR
First things first, the Hector Plus is not a stretched Hector. The
Hector Plus is just as wide and tall as the standard model and shares
the 2,750mm wheelbase as well. The Plus is all of 65mm longer, overall,
but the increased length comes merely from the re-profiled bumpers.
So how do you tell a Hector Plus apart from a standard Hector? The basic size, shape and profile is the same but there are a fair few differences on the outside. For one, the Hector Plus wears a subtler look. The flash value has been dialled down, and up front, chrome has only been used (to good effect) to embellish the grille. The frameless treatment makes the grille appear a touch larger and if you look really closely, you’ll notice a differentiating kink on the upper LED DRLs. The main LED headlamp cluster lower down has also been redone and the bumper is neater in look too.
Around the back, the reflector strip connecting the tail-lights on the
Hector has been done away with for the Plus, and the bumper has been
tidied up too. The mock exhaust openings look unnecessary, but the
bigger spoilers are the 17-inch wheels that, as on the Hector, look a
size or two too small for such a large SUV. The new Starry Blue colour
is rather nice though.
INTERIOR
The Hector Plus is intended for the chauffeur-driven owner so it’s only
apt to start from the middle row. Finished in premium-looking tan
leatherette upholstery and sporting contrast stitching, the sculpted
captain’s chairs sure make for a very inviting sight. And the seats
deliver on the comfort promise for the most part. The cushioning is
really well judged, the fore-aft movement and backrest recline features
provide a whole range of motion, and the adjustable armrests are comfy
too. Then there’s the Hector’s trump card – space. There’s massive
legroom at the seat’s rearmost setting and you won’t feel cramped should
you need to slide the seat a bit forward to free up room for a
third-row passenger. However, as a ‘large framed’ individual, I’d have
liked a wider seat. Also, the somewhat low-set position of the seat
means your thighs don’t get the best support. But by class standards,
this is possibly the most comfortable back seat around. The
petrol-hybrid variant has a quirk of its own. The lithium-ion battery’s
position under the front passenger seat limits foot room for the
all-important rear left occupant.
MG officials have categorically said the Hector Plus’s third row is not
meant for adults. It really isn’t. Access via the narrow passage between
the middle row seats is cumbersome and space at the very back is
limited. Children might be fine on room, but the knees-up seating and
upright backrest is unlikely to win praise from any size of occupant. MG
has provided dedicated vents and blower control for the third row and
they do help the experience.
As you’d have guessed the incorporation of a third row of seats have had
a bearing on luggage capacity. Unique to the Hector Plus is a
hands-free tailgate – swiping under the bumper activates the system. The
tailgate opens to reveal a fairly limited 155 litres of space, with all
seats up. However, the rear seats do split and fold flat when not
needed, to free up a very useable 530 litres. Just for reference, the
5-seat Hector has a 587 litre luggage capacity.
Those who’ve driven the standard Hector will find themselves in a
familiar setting behind the wheel of the Hector Plus. That’s because the
two models are near-identical up front and only distinguishable by
their interior colour themes. Where the Hector’s cabin sports an
all-black look, the Plus uses a posher tan-on-black theme. The cabin has
its premium elements and touches, but a close look does reveal a fair
few hard plastics too. Drivers will love the excellent visibility
afforded by the large glasshouse and low dashboard, though the
reflective cover for the speed and tacho dials makes for uneasy viewing.
FEATURES
As on the Hector, the talking point, and quite literally so, on the
Hector Plus is the 10.4-inch touchscreen system that takes pride of
place on the dashboard. The system runs a lot smoother than it did on
the first of the Hectors from last year, and over-the-air updates ensure
that it’s largely future-proof too. The Hector Plus debuts a new
‘chit-chat’ feature that includes pre-recorded responses to questions
like “How am I looking today?”! Gimmicky? Yes. But in our strange times
of social distancing, I guess any form of communication is welcome. But
the system does get tripped on certain voice commands. Also, while it
packs in loads of connected features (over 55, if you’re counting), a
few physical buttons for commonly used functions would have been nice.
Elsewhere, in addition to the touchscreen system, hands-free tail gate
and leatherette upholstery that we have already touched upon, the Hector
Plus, in top-spec Sharp trim, also feature a panoramic sunroof, six-way
power-adjustable driver’s seat, eight-colour ambient lighting, an
Infinity audio system and a very handy 360-degree parking camera.
Safety kit includes six airbags, ESC, auto headlamps and wipers, a tyre
pressure monitoring system, and front and rear parking sensors.
VARIANTS
- Base Model Hector Plus Style MT - Rs.13.48 Lakh*
- Top Petrol Hector Plus Sharp AT - Rs.18.2 Lakh*
- Top Diesel Hector Plus Sharp Diesel MT - Rs.18.53 Lakh*
- Top Automatic Hector Plus Sharp AT - Rs.18.2 Lakh*
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