Interiors, Features & Comfort
The interior layout inspite of being similar to ZS EV is much diverse and invokes an energetic vibe. Its color combination is what MG labels “Sangria Red” and it matches well with our test car in Glaze Red exterior shade. The dashboard from ZS looks modern already. It’s the premium bits like leather-stitched upholstery, 25.7-cm HD touchscreen, full-panoramic sunroof etc. that further enhance its appeal at first glance. There is also a plethora of technological advancements incorporated in the car. Most intuitive, first-in-segment and up-with-time being the “Personal AI Assistant” that sits right on top center of dashboard. This smiley-faced device is an interesting inclusion that is likely to ensure you’re never bored on long road-trips. Upon getting inside the Astor, it revolves across from left to right, and waves a virtual “namaste” gesture to all. During the trip (when not interacted), its “virtual eyes” blink once in a while. This AI bot can perform several actions such crack a joke, share news, answer general-knowledge queries, control certain features, chit-chat (with understanding of 35+ Hinglish commands) and even greet on our local festivals.
The 25.7-cm HD touchscreen at the center of dash also has abundant functionalities to keep one busy. MG Astor has over 80 connected car features combining hardware, software, services and applications to ease the driving experience. Digital-key is one that’ll always come handy. It’s a mobile-app based authenticator to lock or lock the car and turn the engine on or off. Do note that it’s an “authenticator” only and not a key in itself unlike in some high-end cars. You can also make use of i-Smart app to control music, air-conditioner amongst other functionalities. Morris Garages has partnered with service-providers such as Jio (embedded SIM for internet and JioSaavn app for entertainment), MapMyIndia (for GPS-navigation), Park+ (search and reserve parking-space on the move), and Koinearth (earn safe-driving behavior rewards in the form of lower-insurance premium or higher resale value of car).
The driver’s seat is 6-way electrically-adjustable but it doesn’t offer an option for lumbar support, while co-driver has to manually manage seat adjustments. Front seats are large, bucket-type and sufficiently comfortable. I’m 5.11” and would’ve preferred a tad more under-thigh support though. Front arm-rest isn’t slide-able either. The view from cockpit is clean, with unobtrusive A-Pillars and well-positioned dashboard. The dash-top is made up of soft-touch plastics, but on the contrary, the stitched Sangria-red art-leather isn’t as soft-touch as one is likely to expect. Plastic quality on doors and elsewhere is mediocre, not the best. Front cabin is equipped with enough cubby-holes to do the job, including the ones on door’s armrest, if you count those. There’s space ahead of gear-lever to keep cell-phone, apart from dual cup-holders and under front armrest stowage. Front door pockets don’t have too much space left, but for snack-packs, after keeping a one-liter bottle. Similarly, glovebox has limited capacity by nature of its design and is ideal for documents.
MG Astor has 5 USB charging ports and single 12V socket. Two USBs at front and two at rear, but it’s the location of fifth port that’s unique for the segment and a good example of how little attention to detail can make a big difference. It’s straight-above the inside rear-view mirror, making installation of dash-cam only a matter on plug-and-play. Many informed TAI-gers already have a dashcam in their car and such feature will further promote its use toward safe-driving.
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. The rear seat is ISOFIX compatible and splits into 60:40 for convenience. There aren’t many storage spaces at rear, unlike front, apart from small door pockets and rear-center armrest cup-holders. The rear cabin itself is spacious and a large amount of credit for enhancing this sense of roominess goes to panoramic sunroof; cabin doesn’t feel claustrophobic at all when in MG Astor sunroof is closed along with its shade. The rear bench is generous for two adults. There are three separate headrests but I suspect if the 3rd-passenger will feel comfortable for too long, thanks to carboard hard backrest (middle-armrest area). Elevated hump on floor doesn’t help either. Seat three healthy adults abreast and there might be a struggle for shoulder room as well. However, legroom isn’t a major concern, nor is the headroom even for tall occupants but as in front, I’d have preferred more under-thigh support.
