MG Astor: Gifting Compact SUV A Dose Of Advanced Tech The MG Astor has marked its place in the competitive compact SUV segment with a blend of advanced tech, premium features, and European design that is far from the reach of common man.
The Astor is one of the high selling models for MG in India and the vehicle exemplifies the Indian gameplan for the British carmaker which favours attacking with technology instead of playing defence with specs.
Design and Exterior
BDC The Astor steals much of its design language from its European heritage.
It has a unique celestial grille, angular LED headlamps, and a well-balanced silhouette that give it an upmarket look that sets it apart from competition.
The clean body lines and crisp chrome detail along with the matching painted center section offer up a premium look that can also be found on more expensive models.
The Astor comes in several color options – distinctive Glaze Red and Candy White being two choices – and so it is in a way slightly personalized.
The overall design, the way the R17 alloy wheels with diamond-cut finish have been done, gives the SUV a grounded road presence for itself.
Interior and Comfort
Step inside the Astor and even the interior punches above its weight class.
The wraparound dashboard with soft-touch surfaces, leatherette upholstery and chrome accents has a quality feel typically reserved for pricier vehicles.
And the panoramic sunroof isn’t just there for show as it lets light flood into the cabin, which adds an increased sense of space on board.
Seat comfort is good, with supportive seats for front passengers, though taller rear passengers might feel legroom is a bit limited on longer trips.
The 360 camera system is of-course very useful while squeezing the car in tight parking spots and the PM 2.5 filter in the air conditioning system takes care of air quality in polluted city environments.
Technology and Features
Technology is where the Astor really separates itself. The AI-driven voice assistant can take various commands like doing music search, navigation and control the device.
It’s a bit novelty item as much as necessity but demonstrates MG is at least trying to innovate.
A 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is included along while offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10-inch fully digital instrument cluster with the ability to customize displays.
First-in-segment Level 2 ADAS features including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking bring best-in-class safety technology to an entry-level price point.
Performance and Handling
Engines – The Astor can be had with either a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol (110 PS) or a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol (140 PS).
The turbo model comes only with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and it delivers perfectly adequate punch for city and freeway use, and the balance it has is on the side of refinement rather that sportiness.
The suspension half-n-halfs the comfort-handling equation pretty well, soaking up most bumps and undulations while still keeping its act together around bends.
The steering feel is light for coddling in town, which is a tunable parameter; this will please casual drivers, but enthusiasts may want a little feedback at highway speeds.
Pros:
Soft-touch materials, premium interior quality
Advanced full suit of Level 2 ADAS safety features
State of the art technology like AI assistant
Handsomeness and styling outside
Nice ride across all manner of road surfaces
Great warranty and aftersales value
Cons:
high-mileage users need not apply if they want a diesel engine
Not as much rear-seat space as some rivals
Premium gassers are stipulated for prime output from turbo engine
A few ergonomic oddities in the interior configuration
Technology is known to have software hiccups from time to time
Service network even continually growing in relation to long-established competitors
MG Astor: Conclusion
For the tech-savvy buyers looking for a feature-rich compact SUV with premium looks, the MG Astor will now emerge as an attractive choice.
It has a high 4.3-star rating from 322 reviews, so customers are very satisfied overall, especially based on its technology and perceived value.
It is not the most exciting car to drive or the most spacious car in its segment, but the Astor really shines when it comes to offering advanced features and safety technologies in a price range where it was unheard of earlier.
And for those who value comfort, cool tech and unmatched style even if it’s not the quickest or most efficient, the MG Astor deserves attention in a stiffer-than-ever compact SUV field.