MG Gloster

Once you step inside the cabin, you will feel how the Gloster genuinely impresses with its upmarket feel. It is a premium space loaded to the brim with essential features.

Cabin Layout and Quality

We couldn't help but notice that the dashboard's clean design, rotary knob, and climate controls give off a very BMW-like vibe. Materials used throughout give a premium feel, though a few plasticky bits, like the wireless charging tray lid, could have had a better finish. The Blackstorm continues the all-black treatment with dark-themed leatherette upholstery. The standard variants get rich tan leather upholstery and a yacht-style gear knob.

Seating Comfort

The long wheelbase translates into a highly practical interior for all occupants. Space is genuinely impressive across the cabin.

Front Row

The front seats are electrically adjustable and ventilated in the newer trims, providing excellent long-distance comfort. You get heated seats too, which are electrically adjustable. The seating position is commanding, making it easy to see over the large hood.

Second Row

The Gloster gets plush captain seats in the middle, meaning it can seat six people in total in this configuration. These seats keep the occupants in serious comfort, with excellent headroom and knee-room for long highway trips.

Third Row

The third-row seats have enough space and headroom for medium-sized adults. While the knee room could be better, we aren't complaining. It is well-suited for short intra-city rides, though occupants at the very back might find the ride to be a little bouncy over uneven terrain.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• 12.3-inch touchscreen panel with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Eight-inch digital instrument console with analogue counters
• Dual panoramic sunroof
• Three-zone climate control and an air purifier
• 64-colour ambient lighting

The MG Gloster offers a significant value proposition given its footprint and extensive kit list. It gives buyers a lot of value for their money. Prices for this imposing SUV begin at Rs. 38.33 lakh and cross Rs. 43 lakh with the Blackstorm variant. But interestingly, within each variant, the six and seven-seater offerings are priced more or less the same.

Ex-Showroom Prices (India)

Given its heavy, ladder-frame-rivalling dimensions and powerful engine options, the Gloster is relatively thirsty in stop-start traffic. It shines much better on the open road.

The tall gearing of the eight-speed automatic allows it to cruise efficiently on the highway. While you will not see frugal numbers in the city, the open road figures are still acceptable for a massive four-wheel-drive SUV packing two turbos under the bonnet.

Observed Fuel Efficiency During Testing

Moving such a large vehicle requires serious safety systems, and MG has packed the Gloster with plenty of modern tech. It is loaded to keep families secure.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

The Gloster offers up to six airbags along with anti-lock brakes. The structure feels solidly built, giving the occupants a heavy, cocooning sense of security. Additionally, ISOFIX mounts for child seats come standard to help out families with younger kids.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

What makes the Gloster stand out from the rest of the pack is its advanced driver assistance systems (Level 1 ADAS). It has auto park assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind zone detection. It also packs an electronic stability program, traction control, and a 360-degree camera to help you park this giant.

According to Kingshuk,

"We tested all the autonomous functions of the car and they work as advertised, though there were a few hiccups at times."

Safety Verdict

Overall, the Gloster gives you peace of mind because of its active and passive safety features. The presence of ADAS gives the driver an extra layer of confidence when navigating unpredictable highway traffic.

The tech suite inside the MG Gloster focuses heavily on integration and daily usability rather than pure novelty. It comes loaded with equipment that genuine buyers in this segment expect.

Infotainment and Interface

• The dashboard has a horizontal 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment panel.
• The system is quick to respond and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• You also get an eight-inch digital instrument console with analogue counters for speed and revs.
• The connected car technology has around 70 iSmart features and voice commands.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• Three-zone climate control and a built-in air purifier keep the cabin fresh.
• The front seats have power adjustment, heating, and ventilation for extra comfort.
• The dual panoramic sunroof makes the large cabin feel even more airy.
• The 64-colour ambient lighting is a premium touch often seen on much more expensive cars.

Kingshuk adds,

“The Gloster gets auto park assist and adaptive cruise control along with lane departure warning, auto emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot detection.”

With all three rows of seats up, the MG Gloster offers a rather modest 343 litres of boot space. The load lip is fairly high, so hauling heavy suitcases into the back requires a bit of effort. However, if you fold the third row down, the load bay opens up into an enormous 1,350-litre space. This flat floor easily accommodates a family's worth of holiday luggage. The power-operated tailgate is also a welcome nicety when your hands are full.

Built on a traditional ladder-frame chassis, the MG Gloster prioritises comfort over corner-carving. The suspension easily cushions occupants from most harsh bumps.

City Driving

Taking this SUV through city traffic requires some patience. The steering is relatively light and easy to use, though it feels dead off-centre. At slow speeds, the suspension irons out potholes nicely. The twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine has excellent low-end torque right from 1,700 rpm. Meanwhile, the eight-speed automatic gearbox works quietly, keeping the car in the sweet spot of its revving range.

Highway Driving

Out there, where the city’s streets end, and the long stretch comes to life, the big SUV feels stable and planted. The tall gear ratios help it settle into a relaxed, long-legged cruise. Refinement is excellent, with hardly any engine noise seeping into the cabin. However, there is a fair amount of body roll if you push it too hard into sweeping bends.

According to Kingshuk,

“The Gloster has a plush ride quality and the suspension tuned well for Indian roads. But the occupants in the third row might find the ride to be a little bouncy.”

Off-Road Driving

The Gloster is built to handle off-tarmac situations. The BorgWarner four-wheel-drive system gives you seven different terrain modes. Switching between Rock, Sand, and Mud alters the traction control to pull the heavy SUV through sticky situations, and it is a proper 4x4 capable of handling most broken trails with worry-free confidence.

MG offers the Gloster in a few different trims to suit different tastes. While the 2.0-litre diesel engine is the standard and only option, you can choose between 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains instead.

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• A petrol engine option
• A manual gearbox for purists
• More engaging steering feedback

Picking the right variant mostly falls upon your driving environment and aesthetic preferences.

Best for Everyday Urban Use: Sharp 4x2

If you mostly drive inside the city and rarely hit the mud, the two-wheel-drive Sharp variant ticks boxes here. It gets the essential creature comforts without the extra mechanical drag of the 4x4 system.

Best for Highway Touring: Savvy 4x4

The Savvy trim is the sweet spot for families who spend weekends out on the open road. The addition of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in this one takes the fatigue out of long highway runs.

Best for Road Presence: Blackstorm Edition

If you want an imposing stance, the Blackstorm edition delivers. The blacked-out grille, dark alloys, and red brake calipers give it a seriously aggressive look that commands attention.