MG drops Hector petrol DCT from line-up

The MG Hector had the distinction of being the only car in India to offer two automatic gearboxes for the same engine at the same time, but that has now changed. The mid-size SUV was launched in 2019 with both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed dual-clutch auto (DCT) for its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, but in early 2021, the British brand added an 8-step CVT automatic option for the same engine.

Now, almost a year later, the DCT version has been discontinued, both on the Hector and three-row Hector Plus, with its variants no longer available to order on MG Motor India’s website.

• 2021 MG Hector petrol came with manual, DCT and CVT options
• Mild hybrid and diesel variants still manual only
• DCT discontinued on both Hector and Hector Plus models

The MG Hector, for its time, was lauded for offering a comprehensive powertrain line-up at launch, which not only included a turbo-petrol and a turbo-diesel but a mild-hybrid petrol as well. As mentioned, the petrol version was offered with automatic transmissions, but the other two were manual only and continue to be.

It is, however, not too much of a surprise that MG has trimmed the Hector petrol range down to just one automatic version and that it has chosen the CVT to remain. In our MG Hector review, we found the DCT to be smooth but slow, and combined with a small petrol engine in a large car, real-world fuel economy was in single digits, even on the highway. Though we haven’t yet had a chance to review the CVT version, this type of transmission generally tends to offer greater smoothness and fuel economy.

Interestingly, the DCT and CVT versions of the Hector turbo petrol were even offered at the exact same price, variant for variant, so it was purely a matter of preference for the buyer. Moreover, in August last year, MG recalled 14,000 units of the BS6 MG Hector DCT for an emissions issue that was rectified with a software update, at which point the writing was on the wall.

Those seeking an MG Hector automatic will be well catered to with the CVT version, however. It’s offered with Eco and Sport drive modes, and comes in the Shine, Smart and Sharp trim levels of the 5-seat Hector, and the Smart and Sharp versions of the 6-seat Hector Plus (it’s not available with the 7-seat Hector Plus). However, a diesel automatic option is what would really offer a strong fight to the likes of the Tata Harrier and Safari, and Mahindra XUV700.

Will you miss the MG Hector petrol DCT, or do you think the CVT makes more sense? Let us know down in the comments section.