MG Motor India has discontinued the Astor midsize SUV, according to our dealer sources. The Astor first went on sale in India in 2021, rivalling the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, and Skoda Kushaq. However, the Astor didn't find much of a footing with buyers, selling double or triple digits a month on average. For example, the Astor's monthly average sales figure from September 2025 to September 2026 is 112 units.
Why did the MG Astor not succeed?
The MG Astor looked smart and came well-equipped, but it had little in the way of powertrain diversity. Where newer rivals offered petrol, diesel, CNG, and hybrid powertrains, the Astor was available with only two petrol engines: a 110hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder, and a 140hp 1.3-litre direct-injection turbocharged three-cylinder. An electric counterpart of the Astor, dubbed the ZS EV, is available, but it costs significantly more.
Moreover, the 1.3-litre turbo engine was discontinued back in February 2025, leaving the Astor with only the rather-unexciting 1.5-litre NA engine, which could be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic. Another reason behind the Astor’s sluggish sales was likely its relatively low-slung crossover-esque design, which made it look smaller than its more upright-looking rivals.
Will there be a next-gen MG Astor?
The midsize SUV space is too lucrative to ignore, and to that effect, MG is not giving up on it. As we reported exclusively back in March 2026, MG is readying an Astor replacement that's likely to be based on the brand’s SIGMA (SAIC Intelligent Global Modular Architecture) platform.
SIGMA can accommodate pure-combustion, hybrid, and electric powertrains, which would overcome the powertrain variety hurdle faced by the Astor. We expect the next-gen Astor replacement to launch in 2027.
Dipan Sur
