KING OF BLING

For 2023, MG has infused the Hector with more bling, a gigantic screen, and Level-2 ADAS. We find out if the changes are more than skin deep.

- SHIVANK BHATT

There is hardly any doubt that the MG Hector is the king of bling. I mean, it has this larger-than-life appeal; it’s always been big on everything – space, features, screen size, chrome, and everything else. So, keeping up with the tradition, MG has now updated the Hector for 2023 with, drumroll, more bling!

SHINE ON

The Hector was launched in 2019 and was refreshed in 2021 with a mild makeover. The 2023 version is another mid-life update, meaning it’s not an all-new model. On the outside, the Hector now looks more imposing and in-your-face, which is all thanks to its shiny new monster-size diamond-mesh grille. It’s huge! The split-headlamp setup has been retained, and the side profile remains the same as that of the 2021 version – the top-spec variants continue with the same 18-inch alloys.

At the rear, you’ll find a few significant updates – a new seamless taillamp setup runs across the width of the rear end. However, unlike the original 2019 Hector, the strip has LEDs and isn’t just a reflector strip. You’ll also see a spread-out Hector badge, which is inspired by the Gloster. There’s also an extra ‘ADAS’ badge on higher variants, which means Advanced Driver Assistance Systems have now made it to the Hector range. The model you see here is the Hector Plus – available in 6- and 7-seat configurations – but, visually, there’s no difference between the regular and Plus versions from the outside. Overall, the Hector’s design is still extravagantly flashy, which means that people will continue to have divided opinions about it.

LARGER THAN LIFE