MG Hector Tomahawk review, first drive: Big on space, range and value

MG has launched a full-size electric SUV called the Hector Tomahawk. We got the chance to drive the five-seater variant and how it feels.MG Hector Tomahawk EV reviewBig SUVs are having a moment. Everyone wants one—more space, more road presence and, of course, more of everything. But there’s another question that buyers are increasingly asking: what do you fuel it with tomorrow?With E20 petrol already a reality and alternative fuel blends making their way into the conversation, the future of fossil fuels is anything but straightforward. This is where an electric SUV starts making a lot of sense. Enter MG with the Hector Tomahawk—a proper, full-size electric SUV that promises the space and presence of a big SUV without the need to visit a fuel pump. We got behind the wheel to find out if it really has what it takes. Is it worth your money? Read on.MG Hector Tomahawk: Big in size At the front, sleek LED headlights and DRLs flank the blacked-out grille, with a backlit MG logo at the centre. There is little denying that the Tomahawk is a properly big SUV. It measures 4,745mm in length, 1,850mm in width and stands 1,770mm tall, while its 2,810mm wheelbase adds to its imposing proportions. In simple terms, the Tomahawk is a massive SUV, and you can tell that the moment you see it.Despite its size, MG has kept the design smooth and fairly conventional. Up front, sleek LED headlights and DRLs flank a blacked-out grille, while the backlit MG logo takes centre stage. From the side, the 18-inch alloys look good, while the Tomahawk’s sheer size is more apparent. Its 230mm ground clearance is ample, too Move to the side and the 18-inch alloy wheels look smart, but more importantly, this is where you really realise the Tomahawk’s sheer size. There’s also around 230mm of ground clearance, which is ample in our books. At the rear, a muscular tailgate and wraparound LED taillights accentuate the Tomahawk’s substantial width. At the rear, the Tomahawk gets a muscular-looking tailgate, topped by large wraparound LED taillights that add some visual width to an already substantial SUV. Overall, the sheer size of the Tomahawk gives it plenty of road presence.MG Hector Tomahawk: Interiors, features and space The dashboard is dominated by a massive 39.6cm touchscreen, now offering even more functionality. MG has always packed its cars with a generous dose of features, and the Tomahawk is no different. Taking centre stage on the dashboard is the massive 39.6cm touchscreen, which now packs even more functionality. Gesture control for the air-conditioning is a handy new addition, especially on the move. One of the more interesting additions is gesture control for the air-conditioning, which comes in rather handy while on the move. There are multiple modes as well, and unlike some gimmicky features, most of them are well thought out and genuinely usable. You can even turn the cabin into a karaoke room if the mood strikes.For audio duties, the Tomahawk gets a 10-speaker Infinity system that delivers decent sound quality. The 22.3cm digital cluster clearly displays key information, though it looks small next to the huge central screen. The 22.3cm digital instrument cluster offers a clear view of the relevant information, although it does look a little small compared to the enormous central screen. The centre console houses a few physical buttons for the air-conditioning and blower, along with the hazard-light switch. The rest of the space is dedicated to storage, with MG referring to it as a ‘double-decker’ unit. Whatever you call it, there is certainly no shortage of space to stash your stuff. The seats are spacious, supportive and comfortable, with electric adjustment for the front pair. The seats are large, supportive and comfortable, while the front pair also get electric adjustment. Things get even more spacious in the rear. With generous headroom and legroom, there is plenty of space for passengers, and this is the five-seat version we are talking about. The rear is even more spacious, with generous headroom and legroom despite this being the five-seat version. The relatively high seating position also makes ingress and egress easy, while the flat floor allows passengers to move around the cabin with ease. The 610-litre boot is cavernous, offering ample room for luggage. Then there is the boot. At 610 litres, it is best described as cavernous, offering enough room for a serious amount of luggage. Fold the rear seats down and that capacity can be expanded further, making the Tomahawk a rather practical proposition for long-distance travel and family duties.MG Hector Tomahawk: Power and range The Tomahawk uses a 204bhp (150kW), 210Nm PMSM powered by a 69.2kWh battery pack. The Tomahawk is powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that develops 204bhp (150kW) of power and 210Nm of torque. Feeding the motor is a 69.2kWh battery pack, which gives the Tomahawk a claimed range of around 517km on a single charge.But the Tomahawk’s real party trick is its V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) capability. Essentially, the SUV can act as a power source for a home when required, turning the battery on wheels into a backup power supply. We got to experience this feature first-hand when the Tomahawk was used to power a campsite. Seeing an SUV run an entire campsite from its battery was quite an interesting demonstration of just how useful this technology could be.MG Hector Tomahawk: How is it to drive There’s enough power for effortless 100kmph cruising, while Standard mode delivers smooth, progressive acceleration rather than outright punch. From the driver’s perch, there is little denying that you are at the helm of a full-size SUV. The view ahead is clear, while the defined bonnet edges make it easier to judge the vehicle’s extremities. This comes in handy when negotiating traffic or attempting a tight U-turn.Get going and the Tomahawk delivers smooth acceleration in the standard mode. However, we did notice a slight delay between pressing the accelerator and power being sent to the wheels. It is something you need to get used to, but once you do, the Tomahawk becomes remarkably easy to drive. There is ample power to cruise at 100kmph all day, while the acceleration in the standard mode is deliberately progressive rather than ballistic. In many ways, this gives the Tomahawk a more natural, real-world driving character.If, however, you want the neck-snapping acceleration that EVs are known for, switch to the sportier mode. The response becomes considerably sharper, and the Tomahawk shoots towards the horizon with far more urgency. That said, the rather snatchy accelerator response takes away some of the smoothness and immediacy you would expect from an electric SUV.The brakes are another area that could have been better. They initially feel a little spongy, although they begin to bite harder once you press the pedal further. Is it a deal-breaker? Not at all, but a little more firmness and consistency would certainly have inspired greater confidence.Then there is the steering. Like many other EPAS systems, the Tomahawk’s steering is on the lighter side. Even with the SUV stationary, turning the wheel from lock to lock requires very little effort. While this does not add much to the driving experience, it makes manoeuvring this large SUV through tight spaces remarkably easy. We got a first-hand taste of this while negotiating the narrow alleys of Kochi in Kerala.Finally, we come to ride and handling, and this is where the Tomahawk could do with some more work. The suspension setup is overtly soft, presumably with the aim of keeping occupants, particularly those in the rear, comfortable. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite achieve that objective. The suspension tends to bottom out even at speeds of around 50kmph, while potholes are accompanied by a noticeable amount of suspension noise. At higher speeds, the crashes over broken surfaces become more pronounced and so does the noise. Body roll is also quite evident when cornering. The suspension is quite soft, seemingly aimed at rear-seat comfort, but it doesn’t quite deliver. In short, the Tomahawk is easy to drive and manoeuvre, but the suspension setup leaves room for improvement. A more controlled setup with better damping could have made this big SUV considerably more comfortable and composed.MG Hector Tomahawk: VerdictMG has got the basics right with the Tomahawk. It is a large SUV with plenty of road presence, a long list of features and a spacious cabin that should comfortably cater to family duties. The range is impressive enough for everyday use and long-distance travel, while the quick-charging capability adds to its practicality.What really strengthens the Tomahawk’s proposition, though, is the pricing. The five-seater Essence variant we drove is priced at Rs 22.99 lakh (ex-showroom), making it a compelling value-for-money package considering its size, features and electric powertrain.If MG could fine-tune the suspension setup to offer a little more control without compromising on comfort, the Tomahawk could become an even more well-rounded proposition. As it stands, it gets plenty right and makes a strong case for itself in the full-size electric SUV space.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine - EndsPublished On: Sep 19, 2026 10:00 IST