Benchmarking these two new SUVs against my Hyundai Creta SX 1.5-litre petrol

BHPian Turbokick recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I recently checked the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 AT and MG Astor 1.3 AT and here are my brief observations about the cars!

Skoda Kushaq:

1. Exteriors are really classy. Top-quality paint job. The car doesn’t look big but has got a good personality. This car will age gracefully. Typical of Skoda, Isn’t it!

2. The car looks most solid in its class. The exterior fit and finish are very tight and good.

3. Interiors, well is a mixed bag. The car feels robust. The dashboard layout is pretty good. Materials used on the top of the dash/door panels are of good quality. The plastics below are slightly budget grade (Say Tiago class). Speedo dials are neat, the steering wheel looks classy (the leather stitching isn’t). Seat fabrics are again nothing to write home about.

4. The roofline is dreadfully bad looking. And with that exposed mechanicals, the view from the rather small sunroof can be embarrassing. (Why not give it a miss altogether!)

5. Ergonomics is spot on. I found a good driving position in no time. Controls and access are logically laid out (except the touch-oriented AC controls, which are placed low. Difficult to operate while driving)

6. Skoda has managed generous legroom at the back (better than Creta/Seltos/Astor). 2 at back is a good place to be in. The width isn’t as good. 3 won’t fit well. A kid in the middle will be fine. Seat comfort is good overall.

7. 1.0 TSI AT is impressive. I liked the NVH of the engine. It is very difficult to point if this is a 3 cyl engine. My Creta’s 1.5 NA is dead silent at idle/low/avg speeds but I have nothing to complain about the Skoda here. Only when it is ripped hard it makes its presence felt but the engine note isn’t annoying. Rather likeable. Vibrations at idle are minimal. (This is far better than what I have witnessed in Magnite Turbo/Tata 1.2/Polo 1.2 NA etc)

8. There is some lag initially and the throttle response isn’t lightning quick. This is no DSG. I felt the Torque Converter in Skoda is adequate and not explosive. But once it is in the turbo zone, this car pulls neatly and persistently. Creta’s 1.5 won’t like being revved as the TSI. And of course, the extra torque of TSI will make it faster. Easily. Though only from a refinement point of view Hyundai is still unbeatable.

9. Ride and handling are excellent. Rather best in class (even if by a small margin). The body roll is well controlled. The ride is flat once it gains speed. Sidewise movement over bad roads is minimal. Steering is pretty light but responsive. Even the cabin insulation is excellent.

10. OEM music system has got good bass. Better than my Creta’s setup. Though I believe bose setup of top variants in Hyundai would be as good or better than Skoda’s. I couldn’t explore the infotainment system much but the rear camera resolution felt below par for a 20 lakh rupees car !

MG Astor:

1. Astor honestly looks like a premium hatch (more in the Merc entry-level category) than a crossover. Looks stunning in black. The changes incorporated over the ZS make it look much better than the electric sibling.

2. Exterior fit and finish are impressive. Build quality and solidity is adequate. Skoda still is better with it. Creta being at par with Astor.

3. The car’s cabin is the true selling point. One can see the amount of effort made in making it look premium. Quality and fit/finish are thoroughly consistent throughout. Difficult to find loose bits here. Design elements too are classy. I just felt the steering and materials around the gear lever could have been more special to make it near flawless. Creta has got a similar level of fit and quality finish but Astor trumps it for having generous levels of soft-touch materials used. Kushaq just can’t match the level of consistency right now. Surprisingly MG Hector parked next to it felt at least half a segment lower in terms of materials used (especially the beige coloured ones) or panel gaps visible.

4. Panoramic sunroof here is huge. In fact, it is bigger than that of XUV 700 (much narrower) is what I felt! I felt the sunroof curtain is a bit too thin. It needs to be seen if it in anyways affects the cooling of the car.

5. Ergonomics isn’t as sorted as it is in Kushaq or Creta but decent. It took some time for me to find the right driving position. (I am 5’11”)

6. Rear seat is reasonably spacious. It is wider than Kushaq’s but doesn’t have a similar level of legroom. Thigh support could have been better. I think Creta still has the best rear seat here. Overall.

7. 1.3 Automatic felt adequate. NVH levels are not as good as Kushaq’s. Definitely cannot match Creta’s silence. But still, it is very good for a 3 cyl engine. I felt the TSI be a more matured motor in terms of response, speed buildup and refinement. The gearbox rather felt good. I liked the shifts and gear selection based on throttle inputs. Surprisingly the ‘more premium’ offering from MG matches only the entry-level engine of Skoda! I am sure 1.5 Skoda would be a no-contest here. Even Turbo 1.4 from Creta/Seltos is vastly superior.

8. Mid-range acceleration is good. It does feel punchier than the TSI here. The engine sound is sporty and likeable.

9. Suspension setup is on the softer side. Overall dynamics is decent but not as engaging. You can immediately feel the body roll compared to the Kushaq. I would rather say Creta’s overall ride comfort is better here. Steering feedback is acceptable. Creta’s steering is slightly heavier (not necessarily more responsive).

10. In spite of not having a subwoofer, the music system felt pretty good. Better than Kushaq’s. I didn’t have the patience to explore a plethora of safety and other features on offer but the infotainment system’s response felt adequate. 360 deg camera is okayish. Creta’s display/UI/touch quality is still very impressive.

Ride and handling :

• Kushaq: 8.5/10
• Creta: 8/10
• Astor: 7.5/10

Interiors :

• Kushaq:7/10
• Creta: 8/10
• Astor: 9/10

Engine and gearbox :

• Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT: 8.5/10
• Creta 1.5 MT: 7/10
• Astor 1.3 AT: 7.5/10

Overall build quality :

• Kushaq: 8/10 (poor interior bits apart it is very good)
• Creta: 8/10 (consistent throughout)
• Astor: 8.5/10 (not as solid as Skoda but hard to fault overall)

NVH and smoothness :

• Kushaq: 8.5/10
• Creta: 8.5/10
• Astor: 8/10

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Roewe Marvel X electric SUV has been spotted in India ahead of the 2020 Auto Expo. It could be showcased under the MG badge.

The Roewe Marvel X features flush-fitting chrome door handles, dual-tone alloy wheels and chrome trim on the door sill, front fenders and around the windows.

In the international market, the Roewe Marvel X is available in two variants - rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Both variants are powered by two electric motors. The RWD version has 183 BHP and 410 Nm and the AWD version has 297 BHP and 665 Nm.

The SUV comes with a 52.5 kWh battery pack. The RWD version has a claimed maximum range of 403 km (NEDC), while the AWD version has a range of 370 km. Recharging the battery to 80% of its capacity using a DC charger takes 40 minutes. It can be recharged to 100% using an AC charger in 8.5 hours.

Source

The MG Hector SUV will be launched and the price will be unveiled on June 27, 2019.

The Hector is MG Motor's first product for the Indian market. It will be available in four variants - Style, Super, Smart and Sharp. The SUV features a split headlamp design with LED daytime running lights and dual-tone alloy wheels. It comes equipped with a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system that has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity options. Other features include a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, cruise control, electrically adjustable front seats and heated ORVMs.

The MG Hector will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 141 BHP and 250 Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre diesel producing 168 BHP and 350 Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission will be offered as standard, while the petrol version gets a dual-clutch automatic option. MG will also offer a mild-hybrid variant.

MG Motor has inaugurated its first showroom in India. It is located at Milestone Experian Centre, Sector-15, Gurugram. 

MG has incorporated British cultural icons like the Big Ben, the Union Jack, telephone booths and street lamps in its showroom design. In addition to MG memorabilia, the showroom also houses a 1965 MG Midget. The showroom has an LED video wall that uses a 36 connected TVs and an 'Engineering Corner' where the company's 48V hybrid powertrain is on display. The MG showroom also has a live vehicle configurator.

MG is set to launch the Hector - its first car, in India later this month and has already started accepting bookings for it. The SUV will be offered in four variants with two engine options including a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 141 BHP and 250 Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre diesel developing 168 BHP and 350 Nm of torque. A petrol-hybrid version will also be on offer. Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and dual-clutch automatic.

The carmaker aims to open a network of 250 centres across India by September this year. Customers can schedule test drives for the MG Hector from June 15 onwards.

MG Motor's first SUV for the Indian market has been named the Hector. According to the company, the name draws inspiration from the Royal Hector biplane used by the British in the 1930s.

The MG Hector shares its underpinnings with the Baojun 530 and the Wuling Almaz. Spy images indicate that the SUV has similar proportions to the Baojun 530. It has a hexagonal grille with the MG logo in the centre. The grille is flanked by slim LED DRLs, while the headlamps are placed lower down. The car features flared wheel arches, ORVMs with integrated turn signals, roof rails and wraparound tail lamps. 

MG hasn't revealed technical details about the SUV. However, it is expected to come with a BS-VI compliant 1.5-litre, turbocharged petrol engine and a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, turbocharged diesel unit. It is likely to get optional automatic transmission.

The SUV is expected to get safety features like ABS, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring system and a 360-degree camera.

The MG Hector is likely to be launched by mid-2019 and is expected to rival the Jeep Compass.

MG Motor India will be showcasing its products in 10 cities in India starting December 14, 2018.

MG's multi-city product showcase kicks off in Gurgaon. MG will also display its cars in Noida, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Delhi. 

MG Motor India plans to launch its first SUV in the second quarter of 2019. The cars will be built at its Halol facility. The carmaker has already finalized 45 dealer partners and will operate around 100 sales and service facilities across the country.

Following is the city-wise schedule:

Gurgaon 
December 14-16, 2018- Ambience Mall
December 21-15, 2018 - Cyber Hub

Noida 
January 4-6, 2019 - Mall of India

Chandigarh 
January 11-13, 2019 - Elante Mall

Mumbai 
January 25-27, 2019 - Infinity Mall 
February 2-3, 2019 - High Street Phoenix Mall

Pune 
February 8-10, 2019 - Amanora Mall

Bangalore 
February 15-17, 2019 - Phoenix Market City  

Chennai 
February 22-24, 2019 - Forum Vijaya Mall

Hyderabad 
March 1-3, 2019 - Inorbit Mall

Kolkata 
March 8-10, 2019 - South City Mall

Delhi 
March 15-17, 2019 - Pacific Mall

MG has confirmed that the brand's second product for the Indian market will be an electric SUV, but hasn't provided any specific information about the said model. The electric vehicle (EV) will be launched within one year of its first car launch. 

Earlier this year, the Roewe ERX5 electric SUV was spotted testing in India, which suggests that MG might be evaluating it for the Indian market. The ERX5 is a mid-size SUV that is powered by an electric motor that puts out 114 BHP and 225 Nm of torque. It comes equipped with a 48.3 kWh lithium-ion battery which offers a maximum range of 425 km on a single charge.

The brand plans to expand its footprint in India by appointing 45 authorized dealers with around 100 touchpoints across the country in the first phase. The production capacity of the Halol plant might also be expanded from 80,000 to 2,00,000 units per annum. The company has said that its products will be designed and engineered in the UK and China with the support of Indian engineers and will be heavily localized to make them cost-effective.

A spy image of MG's first SUV for the Indian market has surfaced online. The image gives us a peek into the SUV's dual-tone interior and dashboard layout. 

The spy image suggests that the SUV's interior will be similar to the Baojun 560. The dashboard has a layered look with silver trim around the air-conditioning vents. The controls for the climate control are positioned below the vents on the beige portion of the dashboard. The centre console also has provision for an infotainment screen. 

A 3-spoke steering wheel can also be seen in the image. The instrument cluster consists of a twin-dial setup with a central MID. This particular test mule appears to be equipped with an automatic transmission. The door pads have matching beige upholstery and silver trim. Reports suggest that the test vehicle had an engine start/stop button, electrically adjustable front seats, electronic parking brake, panoramic sunroof, reverse camera and front and rear parking sensors.

It has been reported that the test mule was powered by a 1.5-litre, turbocharged petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, MG is likely to offer a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine in India. It is expected to compete with SUVs in the sub Rs. 20 lakh segment in India.

Source: Autocar India

MG Motor India has partnered with IIT Delhi to develop in-car child safety technologies. The project is called 'Geofencing for child safety through ECU control' and was announced at the silver jubilee function of the Foundation of Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) held on July 28, 2018.

As part of the project, the team at IIT Delhi is developing an application for MG owners in India to track the whereabouts of their children and provide alerts. The application will keep track of their entry, exit and seating position inside the vehicle. It will also alert the user if the car veers off a pre-defined route.

MG Motor India is planning to launch its first product in India in Q2 of 2019. The carmaker also has plans to launch electric vehicles (EVs) in the Indian market.

Thanks to Raaj Patel for sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page! 

The first camouflaged test mule of the MG ZS has been spotted in Gujarat. The SUV was earlier showcased at dealer road shows but the carmaker never confirmed that it would be launched in India.

According to the spy images, the MG ZS has a raked rear windshield with a roof spoiler on top and wraparound tail lights. The test mule has roof rails and a shark fin antenna and can be seen sporting 5-spoke alloy wheels. Further, it is equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels.

The MG ZS is currently sold in the UK, where it is offered with two engine options - 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol with 105 BHP and 141 Nm of torque and a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit which makes 110 BHP and 160 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. In India, the MG ZS is likely to use a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine.

Meanwhile, MG is also evaluating the RX5, ERX5 electric SUV and Baojun 530 for India.