The Hector Tomahawk PHEV uses a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine alongside an electric motor. The petrol engine develops 75 kW or 102 hp and 125 Nm. It has been tuned specifically for hybrid use and has a claimed thermal efficiency of 43.2 percent.

The electric motor produces 148 kW or 201 hp and 237 Nm and draws power from a 20.5 kWh MAGIC battery. Both power sources work through a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, which MG says is 98.8 percent efficient.

A 10-in-1 Intelligent Electric Drive Unit brings the motor, inverter, reduction gearbox, and other related functions together in one unit. The powertrain can operate in six modes, covering Pure EV, Series Hybrid, Parallel Hybrid Boost, Pure Engine, Engine Drive with Charge, and Regeneration.

The Hector Tomahawk PHEV has a claimed electric range of over 115 km from its 20.5 kWh battery under the MIDC test procedure. With a full battery and its 52-litre fuel tank filled, MG claims a total range of more than 1,100 km.

Charging can be done using either AC or DC power. A 25 kW DC fast charger takes around 35 minutes to take the battery from 30 to 80 percent, while a 3.3 kW AC supply takes around 7.5 hours for a 10 to 100 percent charge. MG includes a 3.3 kW portable charging cable and a 3.3 kW home charging box with the SUV. The charging port uses the CCS2 standard.

The Hector Tomahawk PHEV gets the same Moroccan Brown and Carbon Black interior theme as the EV. Both variants have leather-finish upholstery, matching door armrests and dashboard inserts, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in six ways on the Exclusive, while the Essence adds a memory function and auto-retract feature for easier entry and exit. Both versions get a four-way power-adjustable co-driver seat. Front ventilated seats, a cooled 50W wireless charger, and USB-A and fast-charging USB-C ports are provided in the first row, while the second row gets its own USB-A and USB-C ports. Ambient lighting is limited to blue on the Exclusive, while the Essence gets 256-colour lighting.

The Exclusive gets a 12.8-inch touchscreen, while the Essence replaces it with MG's larger 15.6-inch Grand View Display. The latter also gets a 10-speaker Infinity audio system with a subwoofer. Both variants have an 8.8-inch Multi Information Display for the driver, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, i-SMART 3.0 with a Gen AI-powered voice assistant, and the Starmaanch Karaoke app with more than 8,000 tracks. A dual-pane cockpit sunroof is standard on both.

The second row has 60:40 split seats with recline and sliding functions, along with a tip-and-tumble mechanism for access to the third row. The third row uses 50:50 split seats and gets its own AC vents.

There is 192 litres of boot space with all three rows in use, increasing to 528 litres when the third row is folded. A storage-equipped leather driver's armrest and a second-row armrest with cup holders are also standard. Lastly, the PHEV is available only with seven seats.

The Hector Tomahawk PHEV uses the same body as the EV. It measures 4,745 mm long, 1,850 mm wide without the mirrors, and 1,770 mm tall, with a 2,810 mm wheelbase. Ground clearance measured at the battery is 230 mm.

At the front, the main visual elements are the Hawk X three-dimensional grille, Beacon LED projector headlamps and LED DRLs. Chrome accents sit around the front, while an illuminated MG logo is integrated into the grille. The Essence gets a couple of additional details, including floating LED turn indicators and red brake callipers.

Both variants ride on R18 Precision-cut Aeronautic alloy wheels. The front windshield and front door glass get acoustic and UV protection, while roof rails, side body cladding, chrome window surrounds and chrome-finished outside door handles are standard. A glass antenna and rear spoiler complete the main exterior equipment.

At the back, the SUV gets LED tail lamps, a rear fog lamp and a powered automatic tailgate. The turn indicators are integrated into the ORVMs.

The Hector Tomahawk PHEV does not have a published Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP rating at the time of launch. Six airbags are standard on both variants, covering the front, side and curtain positions. Other standard safety equipment includes ESP, traction control, hill hold control, ABS with EBD, brake assist, all-wheel disc brakes, an electric parking brake with auto hold, and direct TPMS.

The SUV also gets ISOFIX child seat mounts and three-point seatbelts across all seats. The front occupants have seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, while the doors have speed-sensing and impact-sensing automatic locking.

A 360-degree HD camera with transparent chassis and wheel views is available on the Exclusive. The Essence adds front parking sensors to the rear sensors and reverse camera. MG says the MAGIC battery has gone through more than 2,000 bench tests and over 490 vehicle-level tests, including testing under extreme conditions. Its Battery Management System continuously monitors battery health.

The biggest safety difference between the two variants is the ADAS package. The full Level 2 system with 11 functions is exclusive to the Essence. The Exclusive does not get it.

There are currently no direct PHEV rivals for the Hector Tomahawk PHEV in India. As a result, its more relevant alternatives are strong hybrids and electric SUVs that appeal to buyers looking for some form of electrification in this segment.

The Toyota Fortuner Legender with its 48V mild hybrid system is one such alternative for buyers considering a three-row SUV. Its diesel engine offers considerably more performance, while the Fortuner also has an established reputation for resale value and a body-on-frame construction. The Hector PHEV's advantage is its ability to run entirely on electric power for more than 115 km, something the mild hybrid system cannot do. It also offers a more technology-heavy cabin and should cost less to run during regular urban use.

The Mahindra XEV 9S is another option in a similar price bracket, but it is a full electric SUV. Its advantages include a longer electric range, no dependence on petrol and access to Mahindra's expanding fast-charging network. The Hector PHEV instead makes more sense for buyers who frequently travel long distances and do not want to plan trips around public charging. Its claimed combined range of more than 1,100 km also means that long highway journeys can be handled without depending entirely on charging infrastructure.

The Jeep Meridian is another three-row SUV that competes in a similar space, although it uses a conventional diesel powertrain. It brings four-wheel-drive capability and stronger off-road credentials, along with the appeal of the Jeep badge. The Hector PHEV has the advantage in everyday urban running costs and offers considerably more technology inside the cabin. It also gets V2H capability, which is not available on the Meridian.