MG Gloster

The Toyota Fortuner-Rivalling SUV!

Could a combination of luxurious interiors, a long list of equipment, plenty of safety features and massive road presence combined with proper off-road ability be adequate to challenge the dominance of the Toyota Fortuner? If you firmly believe so, then perhaps you might be considering the new MG Gloster as your next full-size SUV. Introduced as the brand’s third SUV in the country, the MG Gloster stands as the sole alternative to the Fortuner. While its massive looks and premium cabin work in favour of the SUV, the pressing question remains: should you opt for it over the mighty T-Fort?

MG Gloster Pros and Cons 

MG Gloster Exterior Design

Right from day one, the MG Gloster turned heads with its exterior styling and massive road presence. Conventional, old-school styling does give it an understated elegance and there is no chaos of character lines or sharp cuts anywhere at the front. What you do get are sleek lights and a massive chrome grille in an otherwise subtle front fascia. The use of chrome is limited to the door handles and some trim, and the side profile maintains a sense of proportion and grandeur. With the launch of the new model, we are now offered 19-inch alloy wheels along with a new golden shade of paint that complements the SUV from most angles. Transitioning to the rear, a similar aesthetic prevails, save for some prominent badging that may evoke mixed sentiments among observers.

MG Gloster Interiors

As for what’s new in the cabin, the brand now offers the Gloster with an updated 12.3-inch touchscreen setup, some more connected tech features with the iSmart app, ambient lighting and the latest version of MapmyIndia navigation that also displays weather and AQI information. The seats are wrapped in soft materials and offer impressive support for fatigue-free long-distance driving. There is no dearth of space and the large dimensions of the SUV do help in freeing up more space on the inside. On the features front too, the new MG Gloster is offered with a long list of bells and whistles to keep occupants happy and entertained. However, it's worth noting that while the seat cushioning provides adequate support, some may find it slightly firm, and the lumbar support might be excessive for some.

MG Gloster Comfort

As mentioned earlier, the seats are comfortable and the front seats are offered with power adjustment along with ventilation, massage and memory functionality. Spend some time in the seats and you will not fail to notice the excessive lumbar support, even at its lowest setting. The visibility from the front seat is great and a low-set dashboard along with upright A-pillars further help navigate this SUV through tight spaces with ease. Buyers have the choice between two seating configurations: a 6-seater and a 7-seater. The six-seater variant, with captain seats in the middle row, offers superior comfort and seating experience. Nonetheless, similar to the front seats, the cushioning tends to be on the firmer side. The third row, however, came in as a big surprise and boasts more space than most other three-row SUVs in India. Moving in and out of the SUV is an easy affair and the huge glass area makes the cabin airy and comfortable. 

MG Gloster Performance and handling

The new MG Gloster is offered with two powertrain options — a 2.0-litre turbo diesel and a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel. While the 2.0-litre turbo delivers a peak power and torque output of 159 bhp and 373.5 Nm respectively, it is the Bi-turbo that boasts even better performance with claimed power and torque figures of 212 bhp and 478.5 Nm respectively. While both engines are offered only with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the bi-turbo motor is exclusively offered with a 4WD setup with Terrain Selection. Despite excellent power output, the bi-turbo unit suffers from noticeable turbo lag and lacks the performance one would expect from an SUV of this size. Things do improve once you start moving and brisk overtakes are performed effortlessly, all thanks to its tried-and-tested 8-speed auto gearbox. 

Just like any body-on-frame SUV, the Gloster pitches and bobs around over undulations and speed bumps, but the suspension offers a well-damped ride over uneven surfaces. The handling is good for such a tall and heavy SUV while the steering is light and communicative.  

MG Gloster Key specifications

MG Gloster Safety Features

The new MG Gloster is offered with an elaborate setup when it comes to safety with ADAS taking centre stage. Additionally, the SUV is offered with features like rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention, door open warning, and many other standard safety features like front, side and curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, hill descent control and a 360-degree camera. 

MG Gloster Technology and Infotainment

MG cars have gained a reputation for offering feature-rich and premium cars and the MG Gloster is no different. For starters, the SUV boasts an electro-mechanical differential lock setup along with electronic terrain selection that alters performance of the car based on external conditions. Other than this, the Gloster is offered with a 12-way power adjustable seat for the driver, electronic gear shift with auto park, ventilated front seats, and intelligent start-stop along with a large dual-pane sunroof, hands-free tailgate with kick gesture, TPMS, ORVM memory function, rain-sensing wipers, and a larger 31.2 cm touchscreen system with modern mobile connectivity features and a 12-speaker audio setup. 

Is the MG Gloster for You?

A VFM price along with the latest updates to the car does help in making the MG Gloster a lucrative choice for buyers. The SUV stands strong against the Fortuner with its feature-rich cabin and modern bells and whistles but may not be as reliable, capable and easy to maintain in the long run. Refinement and quality levels along with ride quality are excellent and the long feature list is enough to shame far more expensive offerings in the country.