6 reasons why the MG Gloster could be a hit & 3 reasons which can be concerning

The full-size SUV segment has been dominated by two players for a long time. There is the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. Mahindra tried to disrupt their dominance with the Alturas G4 but was unsuccessful. However, now there is a new kid around the block who is trying to do the same thing. After the success of the Hector, MG Motors has introduced the Gloster which is their new flagship and will be competing with the likes of the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner. The Gloster seems a very desirable product from the manufacturer and MG is has done everything to ensure that people like it. Today, we list down 6 reasons due to which we think that the Gloster will be a hit and 3 reasons that are concerning for MG Motors.

Reasons to buy

Features

MG Hector was successful because of the features that it offered as compared to the competitors. MG Motors has done the same thing with the Gloster. The Gloster is the most feature-equipped full-size SUV that is available in the market. It is the first car to be launched in India with level-1 autonomous driving. It is equipped with an advanced driving system, blind-spot detection, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

Also read: Tata Nexon climbs a STEEP 20 feet sand wall (Video)

Creature comforts include 12-way electronic seat adjustment, massaging seats, panoramic sunroof, all LED-lighting, Multi-information display, ambient lighting, heated seats, 360-degree view camera and much more. There is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is placed horizontally. It is equipped connected car technology, Navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. So, needless to say, that the Gloster is one of the most equipped full-size SUV that you can buy.

Dimensions

People of India love a good road presence, this is the reason that people love Endeavour so much because of its large dimensions. However, The Gloster takes it to whole another level. It is almost 5-meters in length and 2-meters in width. That can be a bit overwhelming for some people when they see a Gloster drive past. This sheer size also helps liberate a lot of space for the cabin. There is ample legroom and headroom for all the occupants. MG Motors also offer an option of captain seats instead of a bench seat for the second-row occupants. There is also a third row of seats for which can be used by shorter-adults or kids.

Ride quality

MG Motors has tuned the suspension for comfort rather than dynamic driving which is a smart thing to do because being a body-on-frame chassis the Gloster is not meant to be driven hard around the corners. The Gloster just gobbles up everything that the Indian roads can throw at it. Be it potholes, manhole covers, speed breakers, the Gloster just glides over them.

Engine

MG Gloster is only available with one 2.0-litre diesel engine which is available in two states of tune. The lower state comes with a single turbocharger which produces 163PS of max power and 375Nm of peak torque whereas the higher-end variants get a twin-turbo engine that produces 218PS of max power and a peak torque output of 480Nm. Both the engines are mated to an 8-speed ZF-sourced smooth shifting transmission Yes, this makes Gloster the most powerful SUV in the segment but then it also needs that power because it weighs around 2.5 tonnes!

Off-road capabilities

Even though the Gloster is a premium SUV, MG knows that the competitors come with 4×4 drivetrain. So, the manufacturer is also offering 4×4 variants with the twin-turbo engine. The 210mm ground clearance, torquey engine, electromechanical locking differential, Brog-Warner transfer case and 550 mm of water wading capacity make sure that the Gloster is as capable off-road as it is on-road. MG also offers driving modes named as Snow, Rock, Eco, Sport, Normal, Mud and Sand.

Aggressive Price

No one expected MG Motors to price the Gloster so aggressively in the market. They have priced the Gloster right around the Endeavour and the Fortuner. When we consider the top-end variants, the Gloster even manages to undercut the Fortuner. The Gloster starts from Rs. 28.98 lakhs ex-showroom which makes it a very attractive and appealing option.

Reasons not to buy

Fuel efficiency

We knew that fuel efficiency was not going to be one of the strongest points of the Gloster. The twin-turbo diesel is thirsty and consumes quite a bit of fuel as it produces so much power and torque. The other disadvantage that Gloster suffers with is its weight of around 2.5-tonnes that just makes the fuel efficiency much worse.

Limited service network

Being a new-comer in the Indian market, MG Motors have limited service network. When compared to other competitors MG has fewer number of dealerships and service network. When spending such a hefty amount for a vehicle, the owners want peace of mind that even if something goes wrong with their vehicle, they should be able to take the vehicle to a service centre nearby and the service centre should be able to solve the problem.

Plastic quality

While the interior of the Gloster is well built, there are some bits and pieces that feel flimsy. The roof-mounted AC vents, USB flaps and tweeter grilles feel fragile and easily breakable. The plastic quality of door pads and lower dashboard feel like they should not belong in an SUV that costs so much.

MG is using the same technique that was successful with the Hector but now on a much larger scale. MG Gloster will appeal to a lot of buyers who are looking for a full-size SUV. Considering the features, space, size and the road presence on offer the MG Gloster makes a very compelling argument for itself against the competitors especially with such an aggressive price.

Also read: All-new 2020 Hyundai i20 premium hatchback: India-spec version REVEALED (Video)

The post 6 reasons why the MG Gloster could be a hit & 3 reasons which can be concerning first appeared on Cartoq.