MG Astor

 What makes a positive first impression is the 1,349cc aluminium engine’s refinement, which, for a three-cylinder unit, is quite silent at idle and cruising speeds, and doesn’t get too vocal or thrummy when spun faster. And while on the topic of refinement, passengers are nicely isolated from road and tyre noise, which is well contained, except on really coarse surfaces.

This turbo-petrol unit delivers performance in a linear manner and if you want rapid progress, this motor obliges with impressive acceleration. For reference, it sprints to 100kph from a standstill in a respectable 10.23sec and tops out at 183kph (as measured by our GPS kit). So, while it is reasonably quick, it doesn’t ‘feel’ fast due to its relaxed power delivery, and with revs maxing out at 5,600rpm, it doesn’t quite feel sporty either.

Complementing this motor is a 6-speed Aisin-sourced torque converter transmission that feels seamless on the upshifts and almost like a CVT, so you barely notice the transition between ratios. It’s nice and responsive while driving with a light foot, however, you will catch the transmission by surprise when you put your foot down for a quick overtake, as downshifts take a while to execute. It is at these occasions that you’ll miss steering-mounted paddle shifters for manual intervention, although you can row through the ratios manually via the gear lever.

A peculiar character of the Astor is that, when you lift off the accelerator pedal, the car, for a fleeting moment, holds on to its momentum before gradually decelerating. It seems like MG has intentionally calibrated the engine this way, so you don’t feel any jerk when you lift off. For the uninitiated, this characteristic does take a bit of getting used to.

With a focus on comfort, the MG’s soft suspension set-up impresses due to its bump absorption ability. It absorbs road shocks and rounds off road imperfections like a much more premium car. On the flipside, the Astor doesn’t feel quite as settled on the highway like its competitors, as there is some vertical movement. And on account of its soft suspension, it rolls a fair bit around bends. To add a touch of sportiness, MG has equipped the Astor with steering modes that enhance the electric power steering’s weight, and while there is a noticeable difference in terms of weight between the three modes, there’s no change in the amount of feel and feedback from the rather benign steering. In the ‘Urban’ steering setting, it feels the lightest and easiest to twirl, and goes well with this car’s easy-going nature.

Is the MG Astor a good buy?

The MG Astor is a refined and comfortable midsize SUV with a calm and congenial persona. Buyers who want a relaxed drive will gravitate towards this Creta rival, thanks to its light controls, likeable engine and smooth gearbox. The Astor’s laid-back character won’t appeal to driving enthusiasts and the design, which is more crossover than SUV, doesn’t give the road presence that a typical SUV buyer seeks.

This Astor stands head and shoulders above other products in MG India’s range, and you can tell that this is a genuinely global car. It exudes a premium car vibe, thanks to its well-appointed cabin, high-quality materials and European car-like solid build that makes you feel like you’ve spent your money well. And with premium kit like LED headlamps, panoramic sunroof and connected car tech, it packs in almost everything that shoppers in this segment are looking for.

The turbo-automatic’s price of Rs 16.18 lakh-17.73 lakh is at par with rivals but consider the segment-first ADAS features it packs in, and its top-class interiors and it comes across as a value proposition; and it’s for these reasons why the MG Astor deserves to be on your shortlist.