MG's $13,000 Hector SUV: A Hands-Free Revolution or a Buttonless Blunder? | Carscoops
The 2026 MG Hector facelift is here, bringing a subtle redesign, gesture-controlled infotainment, and familiar engines to stay competitive in the market.
by Thanos Pappas (https://www.carscoops.com/author/thanos-pappas/)
MG's Hector SUV is getting a second facelift in the Indian market, introducing a new grille, rear bumper, and 18-inch wheels. But the real game-changer is inside: the 14-inch touchscreen now boasts 'I-Swipe' gesture control, allowing users to manage climate, music, and volume with hand movements. Is this a revolutionary step forward or a buttonless blunder?
MG first introduced the Hector in 2019, adapting it from the Baojun 530 and its international counterparts. The 2022 mid-cycle refresh brought a larger grille and a 14-inch infotainment screen, and now, for 2026, the Hector and Hector Plus get a more restrained update to keep the design fresh.
The most noticeable change is the new mesh grille, paired with a reshaped lower bumper and a slightly more aggressive rear end. The overall look remains familiar, with key elements like the split LED headlights and full-width LED tail strip staying put. The SUV now rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, and the color palette expands with Celadon Blue and Pearl White.
Inside, the 14-inch touchscreen retains its look but gains the 'I-Swipe' feature, letting users control various functions with hand gestures. MG promotes this as a distraction-free alternative to physical buttons, but its practicality while driving remains a question mark.
Standard features include a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, customizable ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, and Level 2 advanced driver assistance. The Hector Plus offers a new Urban Tan theme, while the Hector's interior remains in Ice Grey.
Under the hood, the Hector retains the 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 141 hp and 250 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or CVT. A 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 168 hp and 350 Nm will join the lineup soon. The updated Hector is already available for order in India, with prices starting at Rs 11.99 lakh ($13,200) for the base Hector Style MT and going up to Rs 19.49 lakh ($21,400) for the top-spec Hector Plus Savvy Pro CVT.
Competitors in the segment include the Tata Harrier, Safari, Jeep Compass and Meridian, Hyundai Creta and Alcazar, and Mahindra's Scorpio-N and XUV 7XO. But will the Hector's gesture control feature set it apart in a market filled with competing SUVs?
The verdict is out, and the debate rages on. Is MG's Hector a hands-free revolution or a buttonless blunder? The answer lies in the hands of drivers and the opinions of car enthusiasts. Share your thoughts in the comments!
