Under the hood, the MG Astor Savvy CVT houses a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 110 PS and 144 Nm of torque. Paired with a CVT, the power delivery is linear, making it well-suited for urban driving. However, during highway overtakes or when quick acceleration is needed, the engine feels somewhat underpowered.

The full force of the engine comes in around 2,200 rpm, and the larger displacement ensures a torquey low and mid-range. However, being a CVT, you need to be patient and time your overtakes accordingly. The car holds its lane well when turning and remains stable even at triple-digit speeds. The grip is among the best in SUVs, thanks to the premium Continental tires.

There is negligible body roll, and the ride comfort is on par with its rivals. That said, I found the Honda Elevate to be slightly more supple over hard bumps and speed breakers.

Fuel efficiency is modest, with real-world figures averaging around 12.7 km/l, which might be a concern for those with extensive daily commutes.

Interestingly, the owner of this unit received the car as a wedding gift and didn’t even know the Astor existed. However, he quickly fell in love with its styling and unique features.

The Astor's interior is one of its strong suits. The leather-like seats are visually stunning and come with ventilation and adjustable headrests.

At the heart of the soft-touch dashboard is a floating 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system running MG Connect, which supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A fully digital instrument cluster sits just above, displaying essential information like speed, fuel consumption, and navigation prompts.

The dashboard and center console feature a two-tone color scheme with soft-touch materials in key areas, though some door panels and lower trims still use hard plastics. Additional features include a wireless charger, adaptive cruise control, and foldable ORVMs.

The rear seats are only comfortable for two adults and lack thigh support, making long-distance travel less than ideal. However, the panoramic sunroof is expansive and makes the cabin feel more airy.

Storage is practical, with deep door bins, a sizable glovebox, and a boot capacity of around 400 liters—expandable by folding the rear seats. Other convenience features include automatic climate control with a digital display, a multi-function steering wheel with integrated controls, and ambient lighting for a premium feel at night.

The Astor looks more like a crossover or a lifted hatchback rather than a full-fledged SUV.

At the front, full LED headlamps with chrome highlights give it a striking look, complemented by boomerang-style LED daytime running lights.

The celestial grille, finished in an all-black honeycomb pattern, is accented with chrome along the window beltline and door handles. The side profile is sleek, and our unit came with massive 17-inch wheels.

Practical design touches include body-colored ORVMs with integrated turn indicators, a high-gloss fog light surround, and a stylish shark-fin antenna.

Safety is a highlight for the Astor, which comes equipped with multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, and electronic stability control. It is the only car in its segment with Level 2 ADAS.

However, six airbags are available only on the top variants. Our Savvy trim also featured a 360-degree camera and heated side mirrors—though the latter was never really used.

The MG Astor doesn’t do much to set itself apart from its numerous rivals. With sales dropping to just 250 units per month, it’s hard to recommend, as it may be discontinued at any time—potentially leaving owners stranded without after-sales support.

We strongly urge you to consider alternatives from established brands like Kia, Hyundai, Mahindra, and Honda.