MG’s latest SUV has been christened the Hector Tomahawk, however regardless of the title, it shares nothing with the ICE-powered Hector we’ve recognized since 2019. The Hector Tomahawk EV and PHEV are the primary fashions on MG’s ADAPT structure, which is able to ultimately spawn robust hybrids and range-extender hybrids. We drove the Tomahawk EV in sunny Kochi to see the way it stacks up within the ever-growing phase.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV Exterior Design and Engineering –
Let’s discuss dimensions first. At 4,745mm lengthy, 1,850mm large, 1,770mm tall and with a 2,810mm wheelbase, the Tomahawk is bigger than the Mahindra XEV 9S in all areas besides width. Floor clearance, at 230mm (measured to battery), can be class-best. Nonetheless, these numbers don’t translate to a very imposing stance. As a substitute, it straddles the road between an MPV and SUV.
The design is clear and fairly good-looking, if a bit uninspiring. The entrance bumper is squared off with pass-through aero vents on the sides and chunky cladding decrease down. Cooling necessities are met by slim slots within the centre part with some chrome detailing, whereas the traditional grille is blanked off and completed in gloss black. No mild bar right here, fortunately, however the MG emblem does glow and is flanked by rectangular LED headlights with a refined H-shaped mild signature.
In profile, it appears fairly slab-sided, with sharp creases alongside the fenders and plastic wheel-arch cladding including some definition. These, together with the chunky door cladding, try to provide it a rugged look however are let down by 18-inch wheels that look a tad too small. No electrical door handles right here, simply good old style pull sorts.
Additional again are a set of intricate LED tail-lights that once more resist the linked development. MG’s love for badging is obvious although, with 4 on the powered tailgate. Ending issues off properly is a sculpted bumper with a gray trim piece and a centre-mounted reverse lamp. General, it’s a fairly pleasing design, however it appears a tad dated and lacks the butch attraction of some rivals.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV Inside House and Consolation –
Inside, the sprint incorporates a acquainted minimalistic format with a big touchscreen entrance and centre. It appears premium and options soft-touch supplies on the sprint and doorways, however lacks a sure wow issue, and the sunshine tan color palette may not be to all tastes. That mentioned, the sunshine tone and enormous home windows do give it an ethereal atmosphere. Look exhausting, and you will see that areas the place match and end could possibly be improved. The centre console specifically feels poorly textured and completed, which we had been informed is right down to a provider challenge. Talking of the centre console, the column-mounted drive selector frees up house right here for a wi-fi charger, cupholders, a number of bins in addition to a big pass-through cubby decrease down, and the door bins are monumental too.
It’s straightforward to get into a snug and commanding driving place utilizing the power-operated seats and reach-and-rake adjustment for the steering wheel. The seats themselves are large, and regardless of the agency cushioning, they felt snug on our full day of driving. They’re ventilated too, and the driving force’s seat additionally will get a reminiscence operate.
The Tomahawk has the second-longest wheelbase at school (subsequent solely to the Vinfast MPV 7), and it reveals within the second row. Legroom is superb, and when you do sit barely knees-up, thigh help is ample too. The seatback reclines fairly far again and options an armrest and three adjustable headrests. Window sunshades, AC vents and Kind-C USB ports add to the rear-seat consolation and comfort.
The Tomahawk EV is on the market in each 5- and 7-seater guises. The latter provides a sliding second row with one-touch tumble to entry the third row, in addition to extra AC vents on the roof and a devoted fan-speed management. Moving into the final row is surprisingly dignified due to a big aperture, however kneeroom relies upon largely on the middle-row passengers’ generosity, and the low seat means thigh help is non-existent. Headroom is nice, although, and for brief journeys, adults will probably be high quality again there.
With the third row up, boot house stands at 192 litres – sufficient for a few carry-on baggage – increasing to a beneficiant 528 litres with it stowed. Below the boot flooring are a couple of extra storage cubbies, that are helpful since there isn’t a frunk – a miss contemplating there seems to be sufficient house underneath the bonnet. An area-saver spare is mounted beneath the automotive.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV Options and Security –
The minimalist inside format means you attain for the 15.6-inch infotainment display for many features. Whereas this may get distracting, bodily and swipe-gesture controls collectively deal with most elementary HVAC and audio features with stunning ease. Something past fundamental, although, would require a deep dive into the display. Whereas the display is sharp and snappy and the UI is clear, it could take some time to search out your means by means of the maze of sub-menus. Wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are additionally current, however utilizing both hides the row of shortcuts on the backside of the display. Hardcoding these buttons to at all times keep on prime would enhance usability. The display additionally usually catches glare, which takes away from the in any other case sharp 360-degree digicam.
Instrumentation is dealt with by an 8.8-inch show instantly in entrance of the driving force. The display itself is sharp, however some smaller fonts may need you reaching in your studying glasses. Its actual property may be higher utilised by displaying the blind-view digicam feed moderately than the present pop-up on the centre display. Different characteristic highlights embrace a sweet-sounding 10-speaker Infinity audio system, a panoramic sunroof that stretches over the second row, 256-colour ambient lighting, linked automotive tech, an AI assistant and extra. It’s value mentioning that the Tomahawk EV additionally will get a bodily begin/cease button, which is absent on the model’s different EVs.
A Degree 2 ADAS suite can be out there on the highest Essence trim, with features comparable to adaptive cruise management, lane preserve help and auto emergency braking. Whereas there isn’t an official crash-test ranking but, the sturdy commonplace security package, together with six airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes and Isofix mounts, offers some confidence.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV Efficiency and Refinement –
The Tomahawk EV gives only one powertrain configuration – a 69.2kWh LFP battery pack powering a single motor on the entrance axle, producing 204hp and 310Nm, good for a claimed 0-100kph time of 8.2 seconds. Its front-wheel-drive format places it at an obstacle in opposition to rivals from Tata and Mahindra, who provide both rear- or all-wheel drive and better energy outputs. The front-driven Hyundai Creta Electrical or Kia Carens Clavis EV are nearer matches, and the Tomahawk EV betters them on energy and torque.
Preliminary throttle response is gentle, making it fairly straightforward to amble round city, however push tougher, and also you get an influence spike leading to torque steer. In Sport mode, you’ll hear the entrance tyres protest when made to place all that torque down on a less-than-perfect highway. Commonplace mode dulls response barely, however it could nonetheless catch new drivers off guard. With time, it’s doable to drive round this, however the newest crop of rival EVs has mastered a extra linear supply. Eco mode feels a bit tepid and is greatest saved to counter vary anxiousness, whereas a Customized mode allows you to customise energy output and regen braking in increments of 10 p.c. There are additionally three preset regen modes – Commonplace, Consolation and Robust – however no paddles to regulate them or one-pedal mode. As a substitute, you get an Clever setting that makes use of the ADAS sensors to regulate regen in actual time based mostly on the visitors in entrance of you.
Refinement is a little bit of a combined bag. Whereas the motor is pretty muted and there may be little wind or tyre noise coming by means of, you hear the suspension at work on tough patches.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV Vary and Effectivity –
Whereas the Hector title is usually related to poor gasoline effectivity, the brand new EV and PHEV hope to alter that. MG claims an MIDC vary of 517km from its 69.2kWh battery pack. On a spirited drive from Kochi to Kozhikode masking 192km, we recorded an general effectivity of 4.85km/kWh, translating to a real-world vary of 336km. This was on a quick freeway run, the place the Tomahawk’s tall form gained’t do its effectivity any favours. We’ll put it by means of our commonplace real-world effectivity take a look at when we’ve the automotive for longer.
Topping up the battery from 10 to one hundred pc utilizing the 7.4kW charger is claimed to take round 12.5 hours. It could actually additionally DC quick cost at speeds of as much as 90kW, which is decrease than its speedy rivals however nonetheless sufficient to take the battery from 30 to 80 p.c in about 35 minutes.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV Journey Consolation and Dealing with –
The Hector Tomahawk EV makes an enormous step up in trip and dealing with in comparison with the ICE Hector, however there may be nonetheless some room for enchancment. It rides with extra maturity than earlier MG EVs, comfortably absorbing most of what we threw at it. Nonetheless, you do hear the suspension working. Sharper bumps reveal an underlying firmness that often comes by means of to the cabin. Most roads round Kochi had been comparatively easy, and we weren’t in a position to expertise it on rippled concrete, so we are going to reserve full judgement till we’ve the automotive for longer.
A giant constructive is how straightforward the Tomahawk is to drive for one thing this massive. Visibility throughout is superb, and you’ll see the bonnet’s edges from the driving force’s seat. A lightweight steering additionally helps, and general, it feels much less intimidating to drive by means of tight visitors than, say, the XEV 9S.
The steering additionally weighs up as speeds rise and feels moderately direct, although the sheer quantity of torque going to simply the entrance wheels corrupts the texture. At a fast tempo by means of the twisties, you are feeling the wheel tugging at your palms as you apply energy. Physique management is nice, and it stays composed by means of fast route adjustments, however a sedate tempo is extra its factor. Braking is powerful, with four-wheel discs bringing the heavy SUV to a assured halt.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV Worth for Cash –
Introductory pricing for the Hector Tomahawk EV begins at Rs 19.49 lakh and tops out at Rs 23.49 lakh. The Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) scheme lowers the entry barrier to Rs 13.99 lakh, with battery rental set at Rs 4.90 per km. Whereas all these costs are relevant to restricted models solely, that is fairly aggressive pricing from MG.
When put next spec-for-spec, it undercuts the competitors from Tata and Mahindra whereas providing an even bigger battery and extra efficiency than its Korean rivals. It has a spacious and comfy cabin, a complete characteristic set and is surprisingly straightforward to drive for its measurement. Nonetheless, it lacks the dynamic polish of its rivals and subsequently doesn’t really feel like a latest-generation EV. As such, its Hector title begins to make extra sense. It’s a sensible, snug, no-nonsense SUV that may attraction to the chauffeur-driven similar to its forebear. These seeking to do the driving, although, are higher off wanting elsewhere.