Some drives aren’t planned around a machine; they’re planned around a mood. The kind where you toss a duffel bag into the boot, chase the first hint of mountain air, and let the road decide the pace. The MG Astor feels built for exactly that kind of weekend, where travel, comfort and a hint of adventure come together effortlessly.

The route to Lavasa is a familiar favourite for every Pune-based driving enthusiast. Winding corridors of tarmac stitched between cliffs, forests that shift from sunlit gold to monsoon green, and curves that demand both patience and precision. It’s the perfect canvas to discover what an SUV is truly made for.

DESIGN THAT FITS THE JOURNEY

The Astor slips into this landscape beautifully. It doesn’t try to intimidate or overstate; it simply blends into the hillside mood with clean lines, a smartly sculpted front and a stance that feels modern without excess.

There’s a certain charm to watching its LED headlamps cut through early morning mist, or seeing its silhouette appear against the terraced hills as the light begins to shift. It’s an SUV that feels at ease both in motion and at rest, photogenic, composed and travel-friendly in every sense.

A CABIN MADE FOR ESCAPES

Open the door, and the Astor’s Sangria Red cabin instantly feels like stepping into a well curated lounge. Soft-touch textures, tasteful detailing and an ambience that feels warm rather than loud, exactly what you want when a long road calls.

The seats deserve special mention. Supportive, thoughtfully contoured and comfortable enough to make even a zig-zag hill route feel relaxed.

As the road climbed higher, the panoramic sunroof turned the cabin into a moving viewpoint, patches of cloud drifting overhead, sunlight cutting through the valley, and a sense of space that adds to the journey’s serenity. It’s the kind of interior that encourages you to slow down, take detours, stop for pictures, and soak in the moment.

TECH THAT TRAVELS WELL

On long drives, technology is more than convenience; it’s companionship. The Astor’s large touchscreen, crisp interface and seamless smartphone integration kept navigation, music and trip planning smooth throughout the route. But the highlight is its ADAS
suite, which feels especially useful on unpredictable ghats, where a sudden fog bank or an unexpected two-wheeler can catch you off guard.

Adaptive cruise, lane assist, and emergency braking acted like
an invisible co-driver, quietly stepping in when needed but never taking over the experience. It’s tech that adds confidence,
not clutter.

PERFORMANCE IN THE REAL WORLD

This route is a blend of everything, tight hairpins, long sweepers, sudden elevation changes and the occasional rough patch. Perfect territory to understand the Astors’ temperament. The turbo-petrol engine responds with a smooth, eager attitude that suits both relaxed cruising and occasional bursts of enthusiasm. The CVT, often the weak point in many SUVs, surprised with its quick, intuitive responses, especially on gradients where uninterrupted momentum is key. Switch the steering to its heavier setting and the Astor feels more planted, giving you that reassuring sense of connection through downhill bends and tighter corners.

The suspension brings a comfort first approach, soaking up rough surfaces without unsettling the cabin. Yes, there’s mild body roll at pace, but it remains well within the limits of confidence. Top to bottom: The rear that captures its bold stance, crisp cluster and vibrant screen that complement the seats’, road-trip-ready comfort. On a patchy hillside road, that refined, predictable behaviour matters more than outright sportiness.

SAFETY THAT LETS YOU EXPLORE MORE

With multiple airbags, ESC, ABS, a strong structure and its intelligent ADAS layer, the Astor builds trust quickly. Whether you’re tackling a foggy descent or navigating a narrow village road with curious locals peeking out, the SUV feels calm and collected traits that make travel more enjoyable and less tiring.

VERDICT: A COMPANION FOR THE CURIOUS TRAVELLER

In view of the latest ex-showroom pricing, which begins at approximately ₹9.65 lakh for the base manual trims and reaches around ₹15.16 lakh for the top automatic versions after the GST reduction, the MG Astor delivers a compelling proposition in its segment. Against competitors like the Hyundai Creta, which starts at around ₹10.73 lakh and climbs significantly higher in top trims, or the Kia Seltos that begins near ₹10.79 lakh, the Astor offers a lower entry point while still equipping the buyer with a generous feature list, including advanced driver assistance systems and a cabin suited for both daily commuting and spirited escapes.

While those seeking ultra-premium finishes or the most extreme power outputs may find more specialised options elsewhere, the Astor strikes a well-balanced offering; it blends value, technology, and style in a way that feels right at home in the hills around Pune and Lavasa, without pushing you into the upper echelons of pricing.