The Special Edition Blackstorm Version Of The MG Hector Is A Good Reminder Of Where This Large Sized SUV Excels

Half a decade ago when MG Motor introduced the Hector in the Indian market, it was a sensation. The large sized SUV simply amazed buyers with its attractive price, voice enabled features and of course the internet inside tech. However, in 2024 rivals have caught up. But MG being MG has a trick or two up its sleeve. Introducing the Hector Blackstorm edition. A car that is squarely aimed at the midsize SUV rivals and also against the Tata Harrier. MG recently invited us to a drive from Delhi all the way to Jibhi in Himachal to try this car over a long route. Here are my observations.

The Hector received a major facelift in early 2023. The big and bold grille with diamond like embellishments looks really imposing. For the Blackstrom version the MG logo and even the grille has been given a blackened out effect with a different shade of chrome being used. The slim LED lamps on top and the main beams on the bottom side complete the look. This car defiantly has a very strong road presence and during our entire drive from Delhi to the hills, we could spot people turning around and giving it a second look. The car looks menacing in an all black theme and this is evident once you flash your lamps at the vehicle ahead.

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From the side, the Hector gets all black alloy wheels with red brake calipers. The only break from the monotony of black is the very well executed chrome garnish around the entire glass area from front to end. The 215/55 R18 wheels fill out the black plastic cladded wheel arches quite well. Roof rails in all black also look good. From the rear, the connected beam of lamps looks great. This is something you will appreciate at night when all the lamps light up. The chrome strip running below the lamps adds a classy touch as well.

Overall, the Hector has always been an imposing design and in the Blackstorm edition it just manages to look meaner than before.

An all black cabin is what you get along with white stitching on the Blackstorm version of the car. The front part of the cabin gets that massive touchscreen that made the Hector a hit in the first place. In terms of equipment you get all the bells and whistles and then some on this car. ADAS features are available like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and more. The driver seat is electrically adjustable, the massive panoramic sunroof is another talking point as are the voice enabled commands. The massive 14-inch infotainment unit gets Infinity branded speakers. Voice enabled commands along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also part of the kit. What you will like is the high definition of the screen along with the brilliant resolution of even the rear parking camera. There are also plenty of pre-loaded apps on the system to keep you entertained on long journeys like we were on.

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The AC controls are also via the touchscreen. This is brilliant for most people since it reduces the clutter of buttons on the centre console. However, if the screen develops some issues on a hot and summery day then God help us.

The front seats are sumptuous in terms of outright comfort, offering generous support and even on the longest of long journeys you will remain fresh. But when it comes to comfort and space the back seats of the Hector are the place to be in. The generous width of the car means there is ample space for three abreast. The floorboard is also flat which means that there is plenty of space on offer for three people and their feet. If you only want a SUV for the backseat experience then the Hector is your best choice. It is ahead of the Tata Harrier and Mahindra XUV700 in this area.

The Hector Plus version gets two extra seats in the boot area that can be stowed away to keep luggage.

You get a choice of two engines with the Blackstorm. A 1.5 L petrol with a CVT-auto and a 2.0 L diesel with only a manual option. The former makes 141 bhp and 250 Nm of torque while the latter produces 170 bhp and 350 Nm torque.

The petrol that we drove extensively is more than sufficient in city driving and enjoyable on the highway as well. The engine is supreme on refinement. However once you go up the hills the CVT seems to sap some power of the engine and on steep inclines, the gearbox takes time to get the car going. This is where the diesel excels. With its strong surge of torque coming in around 2000 rpm this engine simply allows the Hector to zip even on the steepest of steep inclines.

This Diesel engine also excels at refinement. The engine shared with the Harrier and the Compass simply feels best on the Hector with superb tuning and excellent refinement levels. Even at faster revs the engine remains largely quiet due to the excellent damping of the chassis. The clutch action is nice and light too and the manual gearbox feels slick enough to operate. This is something you will deeply appreciate when you are negotiating steep inclines and have to continuously shift gears.

If it is sharp handling that you are after then look elsewhere. This is a big and bulky SUV and it shows when you turn hard into corners at speed. The Hector does suffer from plenty of body roll and its best to dial down the speed when negotiating sharp corners. The steering is light and accurate but the soft suspension along with the body weight lets down the car in terms of pure dynamics.

Braking is good though and even on the sharpest of sharp inclines you get a good sense of confidence when using the brakes. The high speed stability too is good and you will feel confident in this car with your family.

The Hector Blackstorm edition stands out from a sea of SUVs thanks to its all-black colour scheme. It also offers a very roomy cabin and the best back seat in the segment. So if it is a chauffeur driven car you are after this is a great choice. Add to that the loaded tech and features along with that massive sunroof and you get decent value too. All in all, a car worth keeping in your shortlist if you want a large sized tech laden SUV for a good price.