2026 MG Hector Facelift

MG’S SALES ARE CRASHING. HERE IS THEIR SECRET PLAN TO FIX IT.

MG Motor India is in trouble. While their electric cars (like the Windsor EV and ZS EV) are flying off the shelves, their flagship SUV, the Hector, is crashing.

In October 2025, MG sold just 225 units of the Hector. That is a disaster for a car that used to sell thousands.

So, MG is hitting the panic button. A test mule of the 2026 MG Hector Facelift has just been spotted testing near their Vadodara plant. But is this enough to save the brand’s “ICE” (petrol/diesel) business?

Here is our simple expert analysis of what’s coming.

Also Read –MG Windsor No.1 EV? October 2025 Sales Overtake Tata Nexon & Mahindra

THE PROBLEM: WHY NO ONE IS BUYING THE HECTOR

The Hector is a great car, but it feels old.

The Competition: The Mahindra XUV700 and Scorpio-N are newer, faster, and more powerful.
The Engine Issue: The Hector Diesel still does not have an Automatic gearbox. In 2025, selling a ₹20 Lakh+ SUV with only a manual stick shift is a huge mistake.

THE SOLUTION: WHAT’S NEW IN THE 2026 FACELIFT?

The spy shots reveal that this is a “facelift,” not a brand-new car. The metal body is the same, but MG is changing the “makeup.”

1. A New Face: Expect a redesigned front grille and sharper bumpers. The spy shots show heavy camouflage on the nose, which means big changes there.

2. Bigger Wheels: The current Hector looks a bit “undertired.” The new model is expected to get 19-inch alloy wheels to match the Tata Harrier and Safari.

3. Interior Upgrades (The Big Win): The Hector is already famous for its big screen. The facelift is expected to take it further:

Even Bigger Screen: A rumored 14-inch portrait display with faster touch response.
Rear Ventilated Seats: This would be a segment-first feature, perfect for Indian summers.
More Physical Buttons: MG Hector might finally bring back some buttons for AC controls (a huge customer demand).

THE BIG QUESTION: WILL WE GET A DIESEL AUTOMATIC?

This is the million-dollar question. The MG Hector test mule was likely running the same 2.0L Diesel Engine (sourced from Jeep). MG has refused to launch a diesel automatic for years.

Our Verdict: If MG Hector launches this facelift without a diesel automatic, they are wasting their time. The XUV700 and Harrier both offer excellent diesel automatics. To win, MG must fix this gap.

OUR EXPERT VERDICT

The 2026 MG Hector Facelift is “Plan B.” MG’s Plan A (Electric Vehicles) is working perfectly. But they can’t let the Hector die.

This facelift needs to be more than just a new bumper. It needs a diesel automatic and smarter features to fight the Mahindra XUV7XO (upcoming XUV700 facelift). If they get it right, the Hector can be a king again. If not, it might just fade away.

What do you think? Would you buy a Hector today, or is the XUV700 just better? Share your thoughts below.

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