MG Astor: In the fiercely competitive compact SUV segment in India, the MG Astor has emerged as a formidable contender with its striking looks, feature-rich interior, and compelling price point.
The 2025 iteration of this stylish vehicle has further solidified its position with thoughtful updates and enhanced value proposition. Let’s dive deep into what makes the MG Astor a truly “dhansu” (impressive) option for Indian consumers.
MG Astor Head-Turning Aesthetics: A Design That Commands Attention
The MG Astor immediately captivates with its distinctive presence that punches above its weight class. Its front fascia features a bold celestial grille inspired by cosmic forms, creating a dynamic and premium appearance that sets it apart from competitors. The sharp LED headlamps with integrated DRLs flank this signature grille, giving the Astor an assertive gaze that demands attention.
The side profile reveals well-balanced proportions with character lines that create a sense of motion even when stationary. The stylish alloy wheels (17-inch on higher variants) fill the wheel arches perfectly, contributing to the vehicle’s planted stance. The tapering roofline introduces a subtle sporty element without compromising headroom for rear passengers.
At the rear, the wraparound tail lamps and sculpted tailgate complete the premium design language. The overall silhouette manages to be distinctive without being polarizing – a delicate balance that MG has struck perfectly with the Astor.
The 2025 model year update introduces an even more refined aesthetic, particularly with variants like the Black Edition that offer exclusive styling elements for those seeking an even more head-turning presence.
Premium Cabin Experience: Luxury Beyond Its Segment
Step inside the MG Astor, and you’re immediately transported to a cabin that feels like it belongs to a vehicle from a segment above. The 2025 model continues to impress with its high-quality materials and thoughtful design.
The standout feature is the Sangria Red interior theme that comes with leatherette upholstery, creating a visually striking and premium ambiance.
The dashboard layout is clean and contemporary, with soft-touch materials at all touchpoints. The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls feels substantial in hand, while the well-bolstered seats provide excellent support for both short commutes and longer journeys.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the attention to detail – from the precisely aligned panels to the satisfying tactile feedback from buttons and switches. The Astor’s interior fit and finish truly challenge segment norms and bring a level of sophistication that’s unexpected at this price point.
Space management is another area where the Astor excels. The cabin offers generous headroom and legroom for both front and rear occupants. While three adults in the rear seat might find shoulder room a bit restrictive on longer journeys, the overall space utilization is commendable for a vehicle in this segment.
Technology Showcase: Feature-Rich and Future-Ready
The MG Astor has consistently positioned itself as a technology leader in its segment, and the 2025 model continues this tradition with an impressive array of features that would make even premium segment vehicles take notice.
At the center of the tech experience is the 10.1-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system that serves as the command center for the Astor’s numerous connected features.
The latest i-SMART 2.0 system includes over 80 connected features, allowing owners to control various vehicle functions remotely through their smartphones.
The system now offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, eliminating the need for cables and enhancing convenience. The wireless charging pad further complements this cable-free experience.
Another standout feature is the AI assistant – a first in this segment – that responds to voice commands and adds a futuristic dimension to the ownership experience. The personal AI assistant can control various vehicle functions, answer queries, and even engage in casual conversation.
The driver’s information display is fully digital, presenting vital information clearly while offering multiple customization options to suit individual preferences. Other technological highlights include:
Ventilated front seats for enhanced comfort in hot weather
Auto-dimming IRVM for improved nighttime visibility
360-degree camera system for easier maneuvering in tight spaces
Panoramic sunroof (now available in the mid-spec Shine variant)
Six-speaker sound system with impressive audio quality
Rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps
Perhaps most impressively, the Astor offers Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) – a suite of 14+ safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. This level of driver assistance technology is rare in this price segment and significantly enhances both safety and convenience.
Performance and Dynamics: Engines for Every Need
The 2025 MG Astor is offered with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine that delivers a balanced combination of performance and efficiency. This engine generates 108 BHP and 144 Nm of torque – figures that translate to adequate performance for everyday driving scenarios.
Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and an 8-speed CVT automatic. The manual gearbox offers crisp shifts and a light clutch, making it easy to live with in urban conditions.
The CVT, meanwhile, focuses on smoothness and convenience, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a relaxed driving experience.
It’s worth noting that recent updates have seen the discontinuation of the previously available 1.3-liter turbo-petrol engine that produced 140 BHP and 220 Nm of torque.
While enthusiasts might miss this more powerful option, the current 1.5-liter engine lineup has been refined to deliver a well-rounded experience that meets the needs of most buyers in this segment.
The Astor offers three steering modes – Urban, Normal, and Dynamic – allowing drivers to adjust the steering weight according to their preference and driving conditions.
The Urban mode lightens the steering for easier maneuverability in city conditions, while Dynamic adds more weight for improved stability at higher speeds.
The suspension setup has been tuned to prioritize comfort, soaking up road imperfections effectively while maintaining composure over larger undulations. The ride quality is one of the Astor’s strongest attributes, making it an excellent choice for those who value comfort in their daily drive.
Safety Suite: Protection Beyond the Basics
Safety has clearly been a priority in the development of the MG Astor, with the vehicle offering an impressive array of features to protect occupants. The 2025 model continues this focus with enhanced safety equipment across the range.
The Astor’s body structure has been engineered to provide excellent crash protection, with strategic reinforcements in critical areas. This structural integrity is complemented by up to six airbags, with even the Select variant now receiving the full airbag count as standard.
Electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, and ABS with EBD come standard across the range, providing comprehensive active safety protection.
The addition of a tire pressure monitoring system adds another layer of everyday safety by alerting drivers to potentially dangerous pressure drops.
As mentioned earlier, the Astor’s Level 2 ADAS suite represents one of the most comprehensive driver assistance packages in this segment. These systems work together to help prevent accidents by alerting the driver to potential hazards and, in some cases, taking corrective action if the driver doesn’t respond in time.
Price and Variants: Value Proposition
The 2025 MG Astor lineup starts at ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base Sprint variant and goes up to ₹17.55 lakh for the top-of-the-line Savvy Pro in Sangria Red shade.
This pricing strategy positions the Astor competitively against rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Volkswagen Taigun.
The variant structure has been streamlined for 2025, with five main trims:
Sprint: The entry-level variant that offers essential features at a competitive price point.
Shine: This mid-level variant has received significant updates for 2025, including the addition of a panoramic sunroof (making it the only SUV in its segment to offer this feature under ₹12.5 lakh) and a six-speaker sound system.
Select: Another mid-level variant that now comes with six airbags and premium ivory leatherette seats as standard.
Sharp Pro: This higher-spec variant includes most of the premium features like ventilated seats and wireless charging.
Savvy Pro: The flagship variant that includes the full suite of features, including ADAS.
The most significant value proposition comes in the mid-range Shine variant, which now offers a panoramic sunroof – a feature typically reserved for much more expensive vehicles. This addition makes the Astor particularly attractive for buyers who want premium features without stretching to the top-end variants.
While there have been price increases of up to ₹38,000 depending on the variant, the enhanced feature list justifies this premium, maintaining the Astor’s overall value proposition in the segment.
Ownership Experience: The MG Advantage
Beyond the vehicle itself, MG has worked to create a comprehensive ownership experience that adds value to the Astor proposition. The brand offers a standard warranty package that provides peace of mind for new buyers.
The service network has been expanding steadily, with MG focusing on providing a premium service experience that matches the positioning of its vehicles.
Digital service booking, transparent pricing, and service updates through the MG app all contribute to a hassle-free maintenance experience.
The MG Shield program offers additional benefits including roadside assistance, emergency services, and maintenance packages that can be tailored to individual needs and driving patterns.
The Competition: How the Astor Stacks Up
The compact SUV segment in India is fiercely competitive, with almost every major manufacturer having an offering. The MG Astor positions itself as a premium option that offers a combination of style, features, and comfort that’s hard to match at its price point.
Compared to the segment bestseller Hyundai Creta, the Astor offers a more premium interior feel and a more comprehensive ADAS suite. Against the Kia Seltos, the Astor counters with better ride comfort and more distinctive styling.
When matched against the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder, the Astor doesn’t offer hybrid technology but compensates with more sophisticated interior appointments and technology features.
The European contenders – Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun – may offer better driving dynamics, but the Astor counters with more features and a more comfortable ride.
The recently launched Mahindra XUV 3XO brings strong performance credentials, but the Astor’s interior quality and technology features still give it an edge in certain areas.
MG Astor Conclusion: A Compelling Package
The 2025 MG Astor represents a thoughtfully crafted package that balances style, technology, comfort, and value. The bold design immediately sets it apart, while the premium interior creates an upscale experience that exceeds expectations for its price point.
The technology suite, particularly the ADAS features and connected car technology, positions the Astor as one of the most forward-thinking options in its segment.
While the discontinuation of the turbo-petrol engine might disappoint some enthusiasts, the overall package remains compelling for the vast majority of buyers.
With strategic updates for 2025 that bring premium features like the panoramic sunroof to more accessible price points, the Astor strengthens its position as a “dhansu” option that deserves serious consideration from anyone in the market for a compact SUV.
Whether you prioritize style, technology, comfort, or value, the MG Astor makes a strong case for itself as a well-rounded package that exceeds expectations in multiple areas.
In a segment where compromises are often necessary, the Astor stands out by minimizing them while maximizing the elements that matter most to discerning buyers.