When compared to the Hector, the Astor provides a significant increase in perceived quality, which you will notice as soon as you step inside. First and foremost, there's the red and black pattern for the dash, seats, and door pads, which stands out in a sea of black and beige interiors. If you don't like the sporty upholstery and prefer something more opulent, there are two other color options to choose from - ivory and black. Second, MG has used softly padded materials throughout the cabin, so chances are you'll get that nice embellished feel to all of the controls and touch points.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system has a layout that is much more traditional than that of the Hector and is conveniently located below the AC vents. When it comes to fluidity and the appearance of the graphics, the touch response and user interface are also better, but they are still not the best in class. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for connectivity, and this system also has an embedded Jio eSim that offers a plethora of in-car connectivity features. The AI assistant and connectivity features, which are this car's standout features, will be covered later, but for now, let's climb into the back and experience it for ourselves.

For adults of ordinary size, there are now practically any problems in the back because there is plenty of legroom. The seat itself provides adequate back support, and the backrest angle is also generally accurate. But the high window line and the seat's slight under-thigh support are things we don't like about this place. The two USB ports and low floor hump for the middle passenger are positives, but we wouldn't advocate having three people in this seat because the shoulder room isn't excellent and the backrest is exceptionally harsh, putting the middle passenger at risk of developing back pain on lengthy trips.

The quirky-looking personal AI helper is Astor's USP. Despite how strange it seems, this live dash ornament can hear and respond to a variety of spoken instructions. For instance, you can speak to your automobile to operate features like the sunroof. If you're feeling down, you can also ask for updates on the weather and the most recent news. This interactive feature is really strange to watch as this little person moves and turns to face you in response to your orders.
In-Cabin Features
- A full-size sunroof
- Climate control & rain-sensing wipers
- 7-inch digital instrument cluster
- Fully powered driver's seat
- Automatic parking brake
- USB connector on the side of the internal rearview mirror
Safety Features
- Level 2 autonomous system that uses a camera and radar up front for active safety features.
- Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, and Speed Assist.
- Six airbags
- 360-degree camera
- Electronic parking brake
- Disc brakes on all four corners
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- Blind-spot detection
- ISOFIX child seat mounts.
However, the Aster is missing a few things. Cooled seats, real sun shades, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are not included. These are all elements that make you feel good that MG could have added, especially given how popular they are right now.