MG Astor

The MG Astor brought a fresh angle to the compact-SUV space in India: a personal AI assistant on the dashboard, a small radar-driven driver-assistance suite, and styling that feels more upmarket than its price suggests. Sitting on the same platform as the ZS EV, it targets buyers who want gadgets and comfort over outright space. It rivals the Creta and Seltos head-on, leaning into technology and a plush cabin rather than chasing the segment's sales leaders on volume alone.

The Astor's appeal starts the moment you sit inside. The cabin feels richly trimmed for the money, with soft-touch surfaces, a clean dashboard and a rotary-toy AI assistant perched on top that turns to face you when spoken to. The 10.1-inch touchscreen and digital cluster are crisp, and higher trims pack in a Level 2 ADAS suite with adaptive cruise, lane-keep and autonomous braking — features still rare at this price. It's genuinely well-equipped, and the ambience punches above its sticker.

Two petrol engines are offered. The naturally aspirated 1.5-litre is smooth and adequate for city duty but feels strained when you ask for quick overtakes, and the CVT-style automatic amplifies that by holding revs high. The 1.3-litre turbo is the one to have — it's noticeably punchier, pairs with a six-speed torque-converter auto, and makes the Astor feel quick and relaxed on highways. There's no diesel and no strong-hybrid option, which narrows the appeal for high-mileage buyers.

Ride and handling are competent rather than outstanding. The suspension soaks up broken roads well at city speeds and the steering is light and easy to park, though the body leans a fair bit through faster corners. Rear-seat space is adequate for two adults but trails the roomier Creta and Seltos, and the boot is usable rather than generous. Fuel economy from the petrol-only line-up is middling, especially with the automatics in traffic.

Where the Astor stumbles is the ownership picture. MG's service network is thinner than Hyundai's or Kia's in smaller towns, and resale values have historically lagged the segment leaders. The tech-laden image is the draw, but buyers should weigh the long-term costs against that initial feel-good factor.