MG Majestor First Drive Review: Can It Finally Take On The Toyota Fortuner!

The Toyota Fortuner has enjoyed something of an untouchable status in India's large SUV market for years. It has the road presence, ruggedness, reliability and badge value that buyers in this segment have come to expect. But the competition hasn't exactly been standing still..

Enter the MG Majestor. Essentially a heavily reworked and upgraded version of the Gloster, the Majestor addresses several areas where its predecessor struggled to make an impact. It looks tougher, feels more premium and, importantly, brings serious off-road hardware to the table. MG clearly isn't looking to merely offer another alternative to the Fortuner. The Majestor appears determined to challenge its position.

MG Majestor First Drive Review - Design: A Much Tougher Big SUV

The biggest transformation is immediately visible from the outside. The Gloster's relatively soft and rounded design has been replaced by a much sharper and more aggressive appearance. The front gets a more imposing fascia, while the wider stance and angular detailing give the Majestor the kind of road presence buyers typically associate with a big, rugged SUV.

That matters in this segment. A large SUV is as much about presence as it is about practicality, and the Majestor now has the visual attitude to match its size. The design also manages to strike a balance between sophistication and ruggedness. It isn't covered in unnecessary styling elements, but there is enough visual aggression to make its intentions clear.

MG Majestor First Drive Review - Interior: Luxury Meets Sporty SUV Character

Step inside and the transformation continues. The cabin gets an all-black theme with silver accents that gives it a sportier character than the Gloster's more conventional interior. Premium materials and carefully finished surfaces help the Majestor feel appropriately upmarket, while the overall layout retains the sense of space expected from a large SUV.

But it is the equipment list that really stands out. The front seats offer a massage function, while the panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of space inside the cabin. Rear passengers also get dedicated climate controls, which is particularly useful in a large SUV that is likely to spend plenty of time carrying families over long distances. The absence of rear sun blinds is a big miss though, particularly given how harsh Indian summers can be. Still, the overall impression is that MG has moved the Majestor closer to the luxury SUV experience without losing the rugged character expected from a vehicle of this size.

MG Majestor First Drive Review - Engine And Performance: Refined Twin-Turbo Diesel

Power comes from a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing 215 PS and 478 Nm, and it’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. On paper, those figures are competitive. What is more impressive, however, is the refinement with which the engine delivers its output. The power delivery is linear and predictable, with the engine building speed smoothly rather than delivering its torque in a sudden surge. The automatic gearbox complements this character well, making the Majestor easy to drive in everyday conditions.

There is also surprisingly little diesel clatter inside the cabin. Even when the engine is pushed harder and revs rise, refinement remains one of its strongest attributes. That gives the Majestor a different character from the typical big diesel SUV. It feels substantial and powerful without becoming agricultural or tiring to drive over long distances.

MG Majestor First Drive Review - Driving Experience: Comfortable On Road, Capable Off It

The Majestor isn't designed to be a sports SUV. Its strengths lie elsewhere. On the road, it feels composed and comfortable, with the powertrain working smoothly with the automatic gearbox. The overall experience is more about effortless progress than outright performance. But the Majestor's real party trick is what happens when the tarmac ends. MG has equipped it with serious off-road hardware, including locking differentials for the centre, front and rear axles. That is an unusual level of mechanical capability in this segment and gives the Majestor a significant advantage when traction becomes scarce.

A locking differential helps prevent power from simply being sent to a wheel that has little or no grip. By managing how torque is distributed, the system allows the vehicle to keep moving even when individual wheels lose traction. Combined with its electronic driving aids and four-wheel-drive hardware, the Majestor is considerably more than a soft-roader with an imposing exterior. It has genuine off-road credentials.

MG Majestor First Drive Review - Seating And Practicality: Six Or Seven Seats

Like the Gloster, the Majestor is designed to serve as a family SUV, and buyers get the flexibility of six- and seven-seat configurations. The second row can slide and recline. Getting into the third row of seats isn't particularly difficult, although elderly passengers may find the process less convenient. Once inside, the third row is usable for younger adults, although taller passengers may wish for greater under-thigh support.

The rear climate-control system is a welcome addition and reinforces the Majestor's long-distance family credentials.

Boot space, however, is where the usual three-row SUV compromise appears. With all seven seats occupied, the available luggage area is limited to around 343 litres. Sliding the seats forward can create more room, but that naturally comes at the expense of passenger space. In other words, the Majestor can carry seven people or a substantial amount of luggage but asking it to do both simultaneously requires some compromise.

MG Majestor First Drive Review - Verdict: A Serious Fortuner Challenger

The MG Majestor feels like the product the Gloster always had the potential to become. It looks tougher, feels more premium and packs genuine off-road hardware. The 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel is refined and effortless, while the cabin offers the kind of features and comfort expected from a premium family SUV. Most importantly, the Majestor doesn't have to choose between luxury and ruggedness. You can have massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof and dedicated rear climate controls, and then take the same SUV onto challenging terrain with three locking differentials working to keep it moving.

That combination gives the Majestor a distinct identity. The Toyota Fortuner remains a formidable benchmark, particularly because its reputation has been built over years rather than through a specification sheet. But the Majestor makes a convincing argument that buyers don't necessarily have to choose between a rugged SUV and a comfortable luxury vehicle.