The MG Astor is the most feature-rich vehicle compared to its Korean rivals like the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. However, the MG Astor is the first-in-class vehicle in India that gets an electric version. The electric version of the MG Astor in India is available as the MG ZS EV. However, keeping that aside, the MG Astor is one of the cheapest vehicles in the segment. The Astor is less expensive than the Hyundai Creta but marginally pricier than the Kia Seltos. Despite being priced in the middle, the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos still top the sales chart. So, if you are confused between the three vehicles, this article might be of some help.
Also, if you are considering an MG car, you can find a list of MG cars in India on autoX.
Moreover, for starters, let’s discuss the dimensions.
The Exterior: Dimensions
As far as the dimensions are concerned, the MG Astor measures 4323mm in length, 1809mm in width, and 1650mm in height, and it sits on a wheelbase of 2585mm. However, the MG Astor’s wheelbase is 25mm shorter than Seltos’s and Creta’s 2610mm. Therefore, a longer wheelbase is an indication of extra legroom. On the other hand, the overall dimensions of the MG Astor are more than the Koreans. As for the wheels, the top-spec of these models runs on 17-inch wheels.
The Engine: Output
Like the Korean carmakers such as the Seltos and the Creta, the MG Astor is solely available in petrol. The MG Astor gets a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that churns out 110bhp and 144Nm of torque, while the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol generates 140bhp and 220Nm of torque. The MG Astor transmission includes a five-speed manual gearbox, a CVT and a seven-speed torque converter. So, if you want to know MG’s driveability, refer to the MG astor review.
As for the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta, both have the same engines on offer. Under their hoods, they get a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that generates 115bhp and 144Nm of torque. On the other hand, they also get a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that churns out 140bhp and 242Nm of torque. However, in terms of transmissions offered, they both get a six-speed manual gearbox, a CVT, and a seven-speed DCT. The only difference between the Creta and the Seltos is that the latter’s turbo engine is available with a six-speed manual transmission. With these figures, it’s evident that the Hyundai Creta’s and the Kia Seltos’ engines are better than MG Astor’s specifications in terms of performance.
The Interior: Features
As for features, the MG Astor is ahead of the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. That said, on the safety front also, the Astor beats the Koreans. However, at the same time, the MG Astor (also sold as MG ZS internationally) was awarded a five-star safety rating by the ASEAN NCAP. The Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos have a three-star safety rating from Global NCAP.
In terms of features, the MG Astor gets an acclaimed AI Assistant and ADAS Level 2. They sum it up as segment-first features. Firstly, ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance System. It includes advanced cruise control, forward collision warning, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure prevention, blind-spot detection, and speed assist.
The rest of the features include a panoramic sunroof, push start/stop button, smart entry, auto HVAC, rain-sensing wipers, auto-headlamps, 60:40 rear split seats, etc. For more detailed information on its interior and features, click on the MG Astor review.
The Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta are also fairly feature-rich vehicles. Both vehicles include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, auto climate control, auto headlamps, ambient lighting, etc. For the audio system, they both get Bose-sourced speakers. However, there are a few differences between the Seltos and the Creta, depending upon the variants. The Creta features a panoramic sunroof, while the Kia Seltos gets a single-pane sunroof. The latter features a HUD (heads-up-display), while the former doesn’t. As for safety, the Creta and the Seltos feature six airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and rear parking sensors. However, the Seltos features a 360-degree parking camera and blind-spot indicator, while the Creta doesn’t. In addition, all three vehicles come with four-disc brakes.
Prices and Variants
The MG Astor is offered in four variants: Style, Super, Smart, and Sharp. It is available in five colours: Spiced Orange, Aurora Silver, Glaze Red, Candy White, and Starry Black. The MG Astor’s price starts at Rs 10.28 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base model, Style 1.5 MT, and goes up to Rs 18.12 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top model, Savvy 1.3 Turbo AT S Red.
The Creta, on the other hand, is priced between the MG Astor and the Kia Seltos, making it pricier than the Astor and cheaper than the Seltos. The Hyundai Creta’s ex-showroom Delhi price is Rs 10.44 lakh for the base model, E Diesel, and goes up to Rs 18.18 lakh for the top model, SX (O) 1.5 Diesel Automatic Knight. The Kia Seltos price in Delhi starts at Rs 10.19 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base model, HTE 1.5 (ex-showroom), and goes up to Rs 18.45 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top model, X Line 1.5 Diesel AT. But amongst the three, the Kia Seltos’s top model is the most expensive.
So, if safety is your top priority, then the MG Astor could be the perfect option. The MG Astor also gets sharp and aggressive styling, and so does the Kia Seltos, while the Creta looks aggressive. However, in terms of performance, boot space, and extra legroom, the Koreans are ahead of the MG Astor. The Koreans also get an edge in aftersales, as Hyundai India has a strong network due to which parts and services are available in the country. After all, it all narrows it down to budget and preferences.
So, if you are still scratching your head among these three cars, you can compare them and also have the option to read the reviews under the “car reviews” category. Moreover, to find a curated list of similar vehicles, you can visit autoX. For more updates, stay tuned!
