Key areas where the MG Magester excels include its strong road presence, spacious interior, premium technology and superior off-road capabilities.
MG has unveiled its new flagship SUV for India, the Magester, which is positioned as the first D+ segment SUV in the country. Bookings are currently open at a token amount of Rs 41,000. Magister is scheduled to launch in April 2026. MG has said that the Gloster SUV will continue to be sold along with the Magister. Let’s compare the key specifications and features of the MG Gloster vs rivals MG Gloster vs Toyota Fortuner to better understand the options available.
DIMENSIONS
At 5,046 mm in length, the MG Magister is the longest in the group. It will be available in 6-seat and 7-seat configurations. The Magister is also the widest and tallest, measuring 2,016 mm and 1,876 mm respectively. In comparison, the Gloster is 1,926 mm wide and 1,867 mm long. The Toyota Fortuner is 4,795 mm long, 1,855 mm wide and 1,835 mm tall. Its wheelbase is 2,745 mm. The MG Magister and Gloster have the same wheelbase at 2,950 mm.
Apart from its large size, the Magister’s prominent road presence is further enhanced by its robust design. Key features include a large studded grille, strong bumper, tri-beam headlights, sharp dragon-eye LED DRLs and a sculpted bonnet. The side profile features thick body cladding, running boards and the largest-in-the-segment 265/55/R19 dual-tone alloy wheels. At the rear, the Magister features large tail lamps in connected format, layered bumper with skid plates and sporty dual exhaust tips.
off-road capability
On paper, the Magister seems better equipped to handle challenging off-road environments. The SUV has a dedicated off-road command center codenamed ‘M-Hub’. It manages 4×4 and other systems as needed to conquer difficult terrain. The Majestor has an advanced 4×4 system with 10 off-road modes. This includes Snow, Rock, Sand, Mud and Normal modes.
Another major highlight is the first-in-segment triple differential lock (front, rear and centre). This ensures better traction on uneven surfaces like deep potholes and broken rocks. Making off-roading even easier is the M-Crawl function, where the system automatically manages throttle and braking. Users only need to control the steering. Navigating through water bodies will not be a concern as the Magister has the highest water wading capacity in the segment at 810 mm.
Talking about Gloster, the SUV has BorgWarner 4×4 system with 7 terrain modes. It has Snow, Sand, Mud, Rock, Eco, Auto and Sports modes. The Gloster also comes with an electro-mechanical differential lock (EDL), which can come in handy if one or more wheels of the vehicle get stuck or lifted in the air due to uneven surfaces. EDL works by transferring torque to the wheel that still has traction.
Toyota Fortuner is also known for its strong off-roading capabilities. With a 4×4 system and a strong body on frame chassis, the Fortuner comes with features like electronic differential lock, electronic drive control, active traction control and auto limited slip differential.
equipment list
The MG Magister is equipped with a wide range of premium features. Highlights include lounge-like experience, large panoramic sunroof and multi-mode massage front seats with ventilation. The SUV features a 12-speaker JBL sound system, 64-color ambient lighting, 12-way powered driver’s seat with memory and 3-zone auto AC. It also includes a 12.3-inch infotainment and full digital display, column gear shifter and dual wireless charging.
Highlights of the Gloster SUV include a 12.28-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual pan panoramic sunroof and paddle shifters. The Gloster and Magister have many features in common. The Toyota Fortuner comes with features like leather seats, ventilated front seats, heat rejection glass, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless charger and premium JBL sound system.
powertrain options
MG Magister is being offered with a 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel engine. It generates 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm torque. It is paired with an 8-speed AT transmission. The MG Gloster also has this engine option with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel that produces 161 PS and 373.5 Nm. It is also paired with 8AT transmission. The Toyota Fortuner has 166 PS 2.7-litre petrol and 204 PS 2.8-litre diesel engine options. Transmission options across different variants include 5MT, 6MT and 6AT.
Price determination
MG has not yet announced the price of the Magister SUV. It is expected that the Magister can be offered at a starting price of around Rs 40 lakh. MG Gloster is available in the price range of Rs 38.33 lakh to Rs 41.07 lakh. The Toyota Fortuner petrol range starts at Rs 34.16 lakh, while the diesel variants are available in the price range of Rs 34.80 lakh to Rs 49.59 lakh.
