The Astor runs on a 1.5-litre four-cylinder VTi-TECH petrol engine, producing 108 hp at 6000 rpm and 144 Nm of torque at 4400 rpm. This engine is paired with either a 5-speed manual or an 8-step CVT automatic transmission, giving buyers the option to pick based on their daily driving needs.

On the move, drivers can utilize cruise control and toggle between Normal, Urban, and Dynamic electronic power steering modes to easily adapt to different driving conditions.

The MG Astor returns an ARAI-certified mileage of 15.43 kmpl with the manual transmission and 14.82 kmpl with the CVT, on a 48 litres fuel tank.

The Astor's cabin is offered in dual-tone Iconic Ivory or Sangria Red themes, which gets a premium soft-touch dashboard with stitched leather layering across the door trims, armrests, and centre console.

Drivers receive a 6-way power-adjustable seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with satin chrome accents, while both front seats offer ventilation. In the back, the 60:40 split rear bench includes height-adjustable headrests, dedicated AC vents, and USB ports to comfortably accommodate three adults on longer trips.

Behind the wheel, driving information is displayed on either an 8.9 cm colour multi-info display or a full 17.78 cm digital cluster. The central hub is a 25.7 cm HD touchscreen running i-SMART 2.0 software, which supports wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over 80 connected car features, including OTA updates and a Digital Key.

Additionally, it gets an inbuilt Jio Saavn and voice commands to control everything from the panoramic sunroof to the automatic AC equipped with a PM 2.5 filter.

Everyday convenience is further supported by a wireless device charger, an auto-dimming IRVM, and push-button start.

The front of the Astor gets a Celestial grille framed by full LED Hawkeye headlamps, boomerang-style DRLs, and crystal diamond position lamps, while a silver-finished skid plate anchors the bumper.

The side profile is accented by satin silver roof rails, a chrome window beltline, and matching chrome door handles. Body-coloured ORVMs with integrated turn indicators sit above black wheel and side cladding.

Also, depending on the variant, the car rides on 16-inch steel wheels or 17-inch alloys, with higher trims receiving a premium dual-tone machined finish.

At the rear, LED tail lamps integrate neatly beneath a roof spoiler and shark-fin antenna. A matching rear silver skid plate and a bumper featuring a chrome-accentuated dual exhaust design complete the exterior styling.

The Astor's foundation uses ultra-high tensile steel and an intrusion-minimising steering column. Inside, occupants are protected by dual or 6 airbags, standard ISOFIX child anchors, and 3-point seatbelts across all seats.

Standard active safety includes ABS with EBD, an electronic stability program (ESP), traction control, hill assists, and an emergency stop signal. Higher trims upgrade to all-four disc brakes and an electric parking brake with autohold.

For parking and daily visibility, the Astor offers tyre pressure monitoring, rear sensors, and a choice of a reverse or 360-degree camera. Advanced safety are handled by the available Level 2 ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and departure assists, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, among others.

Despite this extensive equipment list, the Astor currently lacks a Bharat or Global NCAP crash test rating.

The Astor closely competes with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Tata Curvv in its segment.

The Creta offers diesel and turbo-petrol powertrains that provide broader performance options and slightly stronger mid-range punch, while the Astor counters with its native Jio voice commands in Hindi and a more comprehensive set of Level 2 ADAS functions.

The Seltos edges ahead on suspension tuning and cabin insulation in certain variants, but the Astor leads in connected-car features such as over-the-air updates, digital key sharing, and in-car remote controls via the i-SMART app.

The Curvv stands out with its sloping coupe-SUV roofline and potentially firmer chassis dynamics, yet the Astor counters with 205 mm ground clearance that better handles broken roads and a larger 25.7 cm touchscreen with widget customisation.