MG Hector Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs Diesel

With its sheer road presence, feature-filled cabin, and connected car capability, the MG Hector has become an extremely popular mid-size SUV. Although its future-ready looks and luxurious interiors appeal to buyers, its buying decision usually hinges upon an important detail: which engine, turbocharged petrol or powerful diesel, provides the optimal Hector mileage and overall value? It is an important decision that affects not only an individual’s upfront cost but also their future cost of ownership.

This in-depth 2025 buyers’ guide aims to assist you in this decision with confidence. We’ll go further than the official ARAI figures to give you an unambiguous, data-based overview of each variant’s real-world fuel efficiency. We’ll compare the long-term cost of operation, the premium purchase price, and the real-world advantages and disadvantages of each power plant. Whatever your needs, whether you are city dwellers who value their automatic transmission smoothness or highway aficionados who crave easy miles, comprehension of each engine’s true nature is key to an enjoyable ownership experience.

An Overview of The Engines

Both the petrol and diesel engines in the MG Hector are turbocharged, but they have distinct characteristics that define their performance and efficiency.

1.5-litre Turbo Petrol

This is the most commonly offered engine variant, a 1.5L turbo, four-cylinder engine. It is good for a robust 141.04bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque. The gasoline engine comes with a 6-speed manual transmission and a smooth CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) automatic, making it a practical choice for both city and highway use. The engine is tuned to be smooth and quiet, with its power being delivered linearly, perfectly suited to a leisurely commute. The four-cylinder layout ensures smoothness and silence, a significant advantage for city drivers who prefer a quiet cabin.

2.0-litre Turbo Diesel

Hector’s diesel version is equipped with a highly rated 2.0L turbocharged, four-cylinder engine (Kryotec engine, Fiat-sourced). It is a stalwart that boasts huge low-end torque as well as impressive fuel efficiency, especially during highway cruising. Its powerful output is 167.67bhp, and its class-leading torque output is 350 Nm. The 6-speed manual transmission forms an exclusive pair with its diesel version, which attests to its enthusiast driver and long-haul cruising nature. Its robustness and punchy power output give it a feeling of being heftier and effortless to manage, especially when loaded fully with passengers and luggage.

Official vs. Real-World Mileage (as of 2025)

The ARAI figures provide a standardized benchmark, but real-world performance is what truly matters. The figures below are a compilation of owner feedback and professional tests.

Variant	ARAI Mileage	Real-World City	Real-World Highway	Combined Average
Petrol Manual	13.79 km/l	~8-10 km/l	~12-14 km/l	~11 km/l
Petrol Automatic (CVT)	12.34 km/l	~7-9 km/l	~11-13 km/l	~10 km/l
Diesel Manual	15.58 km/l	~12-14 km/l	~16-18 km/l	~15 km/l

The diesel is much more fuel-efficient in real-world scenarios. Although the ARAI of the petrol engine appears to be highly competitive, its real-world mileage in the Hector takes a significant hit, particularly in crawling city traffic. This is typical of turbocharged petrol engines in big, heavy SUVs; the engine needs to rev harder in city stop-and-go, frequently engaging the turbo to accelerate the car, which significantly affects fuel economy. The diesel, being inherently more frugal and with high torque from low RPM, retains its mileage far better across all scenarios, as it doesn’t need to rev as much.

Financial Breakdown: Cost per Km and Break-Even Analysis

The most crucial part of the comparison is the long-term running cost. Let’s use approximate mid-2025 fuel prices in Pune for our calculations.

• Fuel Prices:
  • Petrol: ₹104.83/litre
  • Diesel: ₹91.35/litre
• Cost per Km (Based on Real-World Averages):
  • Petrol Manual: ₹104.83 / 11.72 km/l = ₹8.94/km
  • Petrol Automatic: ₹104.83 / 10.49 km/l = ₹9.99/km
  • Diesel Manual: ₹91.35 / 14.02 km/l = ₹6.51/km

Running expenses of the diesel version are significantly less than those of the petrol, which translates to a saving of about ₹2.4 per kilometer. This is a huge difference that can mean tens of thousands of rupees per year for a high-km driver.

Next, let’s look at the purchase price, which is an important component of the break-even analysis.

• Price Premium (Ex-showroom, approximate):
  • Diesel vs Petrol: The diesel variants are typically priced approximately ₹2.10 lakh higher than their petrol counterparts, depending on the trim level.

The break-even point is the distance you need to drive to recover the higher upfront cost through fuel savings.

• Diesel vs Petrol:
  • Price Gap: ₹2.10 lakh (mid-range variants)
  • Savings per km:  ₹2.43
  • Kilometers to Break Even: ~86,420 km. This is a long break-even time, that is, the value of the diesel is only worthwhile for those who accumulate extremely high miles within a long ownership span, or who just like the qualities of the diesel’s drive.

Performance, Practicality, and the Driving Experience

Petrol

The 1.5L turbo petrol engine is smooth and refined. The CVT automatic delivers an effortless and comfortable city traffic drive, without the jerks of a manual or a conventional automatic. However, if pushed extremely hard, the engine feels strained, and you can get that “rubber band effect” from the CVT. Its smoothness and low level of noise are key city drive positives for a quiet and comfortable cabin experience. The huge 587-litre boot space of the Hector is a key practical detail, providing ample room for big bits of luggage for that family excursion.

Diesel

The powerhouse of the Hector line-up is its 2.0L diesel engine. The phenomenal torque of 350 Nm is realized from a low 1750 RPM, which provides good pulling power from the get-go. So, it feels like an effortless cruiser on highways, where it cruises smoothly with no effort and effortlessly makes quick overtakes. The 6-speed manual transmission is a delight to use, with sharp and positive action that provides excellent driver feedback. Although it is a diesel, its engine is noisier than its petrol counterpart, especially when idle. However, its NVH insulation is good, and its engine note is purposeful, not obtrusive. Its power delivery feels addictive and provides confidence during prolonged highway hauls.

The Verdict: Which Hector is for You?

For the City Commuter Who Prefers Comfort:

• Best Pick: MG Hector Petrol Automatic (CVT).
• Why: If you do a lot of urban motoring and you want a smooth, gearless motoring experience, then your perfect car would be the petrol automatic. Its low first cost and smooth engine give you an ideal city runabout. It’s also a good choice if you want your interior to be quiet and you do not want the additional complexity and maintenance that a diesel engine provides.

For the Enthusiast & High-Mileage Driver:

• Best Pick: MG Hector Diesel Manual.
• Why: When you regularly undertake long highway trips or accumulate very high yearly miles, the diesel version of the Hector is the clear winner. Its better fuel economy, strong engine, and high torque make this car a breeze and a cost-effective cruiser for intercity highways. The higher upfront cost is worth paying for long-term fuel savings and pure driving enjoyment of this powerful engine. The universal refueling availability of diesel fuel also feels comforting during cross-country excursions.

Simply put, the MG Hector offers two utterly different versions. The petrol variant is a smooth, refined, and comfortable city-oriented buyer-centric vehicle. The diesel, on the other hand, is a torquey, cost-conscious workhorse aimed at drivers who like to get out on roads and value long-term cost savings on running costs. The point of decision-making is a compromise between your wallet, your driving style, and your desired style of driving experience.

FAQs About MG Hector Mileage