MG Hector Tomahawk EV Expert Review

The Tomahawk EV is larger than the Mahindra XEV 9S in every dimension except width and has 230mm of ground clearance. Its clean, handsome design features a squared-off front, slim LED headlights, chunky cladding and intricate LED tail-lights. However, the 18-inch wheels look slightly small and the overall design lacks the imposing, butch stance of some rivals.

The Tomahawk EV has a spacious, airy cabin with soft-touch materials and comfortable, wide seats. Its long wheelbase translates into excellent second-row legroom, while the 7-seat version offers reasonable third-row space for shorter journeys. Boot space ranges from 192 litres with all three rows up to 528 litres with the third row folded. Some areas of fit and finish, particularly the centre console, could be better.

The 15.6-inch touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, 10-speaker Infinity audio system, panoramic sunroof, 256-colour ambient lighting and connected-car tech make the Tomahawk well equipped. The top Essence trim gets Level 2 ADAS, while six airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes and ISOFIX mounts are standard. However, the infotainment system can require navigating through several sub-menus.

The 69.2kWh LFP battery powers a front-mounted motor producing 204hp and 310Nm, with a claimed 0-100kph time of 8.2sec. Throttle response is mild initially but becomes more aggressive under hard acceleration, resulting in some torque steer. The motor itself is fairly quiet, although suspension noise is noticeable over rough surfaces.

MG claims an MIDC range of 517km. In testing, the Tomahawk EV returned 4.85km/kWh over 192km, translating to a real-world range of around 336km. The 7.4kW AC charger takes about 12.5 hours for a 10-100 percent charge, while DC charging at up to 90kW can take the battery from 30-80 percent in around 35 minutes.

The Tomahawk EV is a significant improvement over the ICE Hector, with a mature ride that absorbs most road imperfections well. Its light steering, excellent visibility and good body control make it surprisingly easy to drive for its size. However, sharper bumps can expose some firmness and the strong torque delivery through the front wheels can affect steering feel when driven hard.

Priced from Rs 19.49 lakh to Rs 23.49 lakh, the Tomahawk EV undercuts similarly specified rivals while offering a large battery, strong performance, a spacious cabin and a comprehensive feature list. Its relatively relaxed driving character and practicality make it well suited to buyers who prioritise comfort and space, although its dynamic polish falls short of some newer EVs.