NEW DELHI: MG Motor India on Monday drove in the six-seater
Hector Plus
in four variants, starting at Rs 13.49 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom).
The MPV segment in India is more utility-fuelled where features and aesthetic appeal are overlooked. Three-row configuration starts at as low as Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom) with Renault Triber. Moving up the ladder, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and
Toyota Innova Crysta
are inarguably the most accepted MPVs in the market.
MG Motor India’s third product, rolled out on the anniversary of Hector SUV, aims to be disruptive with a flurry of feel-good features and wide-ranging engine options. In the process, Hector Plus competes closely with Tata Hexa, Mahindra XUV500 and
Maruti Suzuki XL6
in terms of pricing.
However, top-end trims of Hector Plus do overlap with a few variants of Toyota Innova Crysta. A direct rivalry is out of the question as all the MPVs score differently in terms of features and value-for-money proposition. However, here’s an on-paper price and performance comparison between Hector Plus and its rivals:
Performance:Hector Plus borrows the three sets of engines from Hector in the same set of tune. The 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol engine produces 143PS and 250Nm while mated to either 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The hybrid petrol gets the same engine with a 48V motor, which is limited to the top-spec Sharp variant.
The FCA-sourced, 2.0-litre diesel engine produces 170PS and 350Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Maruti Suzuki XL6 comes only in 1.5-litre, K-Series, petrol engine, which develops 105PS and 138Nm. In fact, the same engine powers the likes of Vitara Brezza, Ciaz and Ertiga.
Tata Hexa is yet to meet BS6-compliance. The updated Hexa was showcased at the Auto Expo and should make its way to the market soon. The existing 2.2-litre Varicor engine is good enough for 156 PS and 400 Nm.
Mahindra XUV500 is more SUV-ish, however, packs a three-row set up. Available only in diesel, the 2.2-litre, mHawk engine churns out 155 PS and 360 Nm.
Toyota
Innova Crysta
is available in petrol and diesel choices with manual and automatic gearboxes. With the largest displacement in the segment, the 2.7-litre petrol engine pumps out 166PS and 245Nm while the 2.4-litre diesel engine generates 150 PS and up to 360 Nm.
Prices:Petrol variants of
MG Hector Plus
start at Rs 13.49 lakh (ex-showroom) while diesel at Rs 14.44 lakh (ex-showroom) and is priced up to Rs 18.53 lakh (ex-showroom).
Maruti Suzuki XL6 is offered in two variants: Zeta and Alpha and is priced at Rs 9.85 lakh to Rs 11.51 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively.
Tata Motors had premiered the BS6 variant of Hexa at the 2020 Auto expo. The BS6 compliant model is expected to be launched later this year.
Mahindra XUV500 starts at Rs 13.14 lakh (ex-showroom). Available in four trims, the range-topper is priced at Rs 17.64 lakh (ex-showroom).
Toyota Innova Crysta is available in 18 trims (12 manual and 6 automatic). The petrol manual starts at Rs 15.66 lakh (ex-showroom) while automatic at Rs 17.02 lakh (ex-showroom). Top-end petrol is priced at Rs 21.78 lakh (ex-showroom).
On the other hand, the diesel manual starts at Rs 16.44 lakh (ex-showroom) while automatic at Rs 18.78 lakh (ex-showroom). Top-end diesel is priced at Rs 23.63 lakh (ex-showroom).
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