Around mid-2026, we found ourselves on another national media drive where the car was driven before prices were revealed. This time, it was the MG Magster – which is now positioned as the successor to the Gloster in JSW MG Motor India’s lineup. Interestingly, it took more than a year to reach this level after being showcased at the 2025 India Mobility Expo.
The Magister will primarily take on the Isuzu MU-X and the Toyota Fortuner in the D and D+ SUV segments in India. It will also overlap with some monocoque rivals in the same price segment like the Jeep Meridian and Volkswagen Teron. The big question is, is the wait worth it?
mg magister review
Unless you have been living under a rock, you would know that the Toyota Fortuner is the vehicle that rules the D and D+ SUV segments in India. This has been challenged by a few SUVs, but the most notable one in recent times was the MG Gloster. Now after its launch in the country on April 27, 2026, the torch will be transferred to the hands of Magister.
There will be four color options – Metal Black, Pearl White, Concrete Gray and Metal Ash. Pearl white may emerge as the safest choice for many potential buyers, but concrete gray looks good too. There will be three variants in two trim levels – Sharp 4X2, Savvy 4X2 and Savvy 4X4. Pre-booked customers will get 5 years unlimited km warranty, 5 years roadside assistance, 5 labor free services and ICICI Bank Emerald Credit Card.
Dimensions are the biggest strength of the MG Magster, with a length of 5,046 mm, width of 2,016 mm, height of 1,876 mm and a 2,950 mm long wheelbase. It has 810 mm water wading depth, 219 mm ground clearance and 19-inch alloy wheels with thick A/T tyres. It has grown bigger than the Gloster, but most of it is on the outside, as the wheelbase and interior space remain the same, which is no bad thing as the Gloster has always been roomy.
design
Design is one of those things that is subjective and in the eye of the beholder. One can objectively say that the MG Magster looks more modern than its rivals as it follows more modern design trends seen globally. It gets a split headlights setup with LED DRLs at the top and vertically arranged LED headlights in the bumper below it. LED DRLs can also be seen on the sides of the huge mosaic grille.
The side profile is reminiscent of the Gloster and carries forward its original silhouette with a new alloy wheel design. At the rear, you can see more design changes in the form of connected LED tail lights, revised bumpers and a bold MAJESTOR branding instead of GLOSTER. However, it may not be to everyone’s taste.
Changes inside are minimal and compared to the Gloster we can see some modifications to the dashboard and center console. For starters, there’s a new rectangular housing for the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, redesigned AC vents, new toggle-style climate control panel and a redesigned central console that now houses two wireless chargers, a 4X4 mode dial, three diff lock buttons and a dial to control the transfer case.
You won’t find the gear selector in the center console, as it has been moved to the steering column. Another new element here is the 12.3-inch fully digital TFT instrument cluster, which comes with crisp graphics and resolution and even shows many ADAS-related functions in real-time.
Most Feature-Loaded
If you want to buy the most feature-loaded D and D+ SUVs in India, your default choice should be the MG Magster. There are no ifs and buts here. Magister is the best in this regard. It is loaded with features, comfort features and equipment, which will make a huge difference for buyers looking for a modern and tech-packed SUV at that price.
Some of the most notable elements of the MG Magister include a transferable digital key, Level-2 ADAS with multiple autonomous features, 360-degree cameras with blindspot assist, massaging front seats with 8 levels, ventilated front seats with 3 levels, powered front seats with memory settings that also includes ORVM position, triple zone climate control with rear AC vents for all occupants, power tailgate, bonnet Includes assist struts, dual wireless chargers, premium in-cabin materials and more. More.
Mechanically too, the MG Magster is better equipped than its rivals as it comes with twin turbochargers instead of one, it gets three locking differentials instead of one (front, rear and centre), it gets an electrically operated steering with ten off-road modes, three driving modes and then three steering modes to determine steering weight and response.
The Magister’s main component in off-road situations is crawl control, which MG calls CCO. Only high-end luxury off-roaders used to have this feature, which has now been democratized by the Magister. In terms of features, comfort features and equipment, the Magister’s traditional ladder-frame SUV rivals cannot underestimate this upcoming SUV. Pricing is the only element missing from this puzzle at the moment.
space and comfort
Even in terms of space, the MG Magister is ahead of its nearest competitor. The Magister is larger and more convenient because it is wider and longer. Camera crew and drone operators were also sitting in our unit during off-roading. For a short time, four adults were seated in the second row bench seat. When asked, the four adults said they were also quite comfortable, which was quite surprising. All three rows of seating are quite comfortable.
However, the MG Magister is still designed primarily for first-row seating rather than being a chauffeur-driven vehicle. We say this because the second row occupants only get the usual auto climate control zone, a captain chair option, a 220V household socket and that’s about it. They even miss out on the rear window sun blinds that some sub 4 meter SUVs also offer.
In comparison, the front occupants get individual auto climate control zones, they get two wireless charging pads, massage seats, ventilated seats, power-adjustable seats, they get sleek touchscreens and more. Also, the front sun visor should have been extended, which even the base Tata Hexa of Rs 12 lakh used to have. Boot space is also best in the segment and the third row folds flat instead of folding into the sides.
off-road performance
The MG Magister is a true off-roader. It has all the ingredients and more to get you out of the sticky spots. If you want a killer off-road machine, the MG Magister should probably be at the top of your shortlist. We experienced it firsthand on a dangerous off-road track in Aamby Valley, Maharashtra. The 219 mm ground clearance, 27.6-degree approach angle and 23.5-degree departure angle proved to be more than enough.
It didn’t scratch the underbelly even once and most of the off-roading was done even without engaging the 4H mode. Sometimes, we included 4H and Magister worked fine. During tough assignments, we put the Magister in 4L and even engaged the center and rear diff locks, which turns the Magister into a 6-legged ant that grips like there’s no tomorrow. Our unit was wrapped with A/T tires and a Magister had H/T tires and even that it overcame all the off-road bits with ease.
It has HDC (Hill Descent Control) which has to be connected to the infotainment screen instead of a physical button. However, CCO (Crawl Control) has a physical button and works quite well, especially when the rear and center differentials are locked. The car moves forward without any throttle input and the set speed can be increased by giving throttle input and then varied with brake input. However, we couldn’t test the Magister’s 810mm water wading capability.
on-road performance
The 2.0L twin turbo diesel engine rated at 215.5 bhp and 478.5 Nm is mated to an 8-speed torque converter gearbox. Unlike the off-road performance where there is a significant bump in capability, the on-road performance of the MG Magister is more or less the same as the Gloster. It’s still gently sprung with a lot of vertical movement the entire way.
However, the target demographic of these traditional ladder frame SUVs will be familiar with it. All four disc brakes do a good job of bringing this 2.5 tonne SUV to a halt, but don’t even come close to the braking performance of monocoque rivals. There’s a noticeable delay in throttle response as the 8-speed torque converter settles to find the right cog.
This happens even when sport mode is on. The three steering modes don’t make any meaningful difference to response, but only add weight and heft to the steering. The Magester is not a fast SUV as the 0-100 km/h sprint (speedo indicated) takes around 12.5 seconds. The Magister is by no means a corner carver and packs a ton of body roll. However, bump absorption is quite commendable.
Should you buy one?
There are broadly two types of buyers in this segment. The first group prioritizes brand image above everything else – and for them, the Toyota Fortuner remains the default choice due to its strong perception and status value.
The second group looks beyond the badge and focuses on comfort, features, technology, and overall value. For such buyers, the Magister makes a compelling case. It offers more equipment, a better interior feel and far greater off-road capability than expected at a competitive price point. If this suits your preferences, Magister is definitely worth considering.
final thoughts
The MG Majestor builds on the strengths of the Gloster while adding a more modern design, better technology and advanced off-road capability. While it may not challenge the brand appeal of the Fortuner overnight, it clearly raises the bar on what buyers can expect in this segment. If the pricing is right, the Magister could become a strong option for buyers who value badge appeal more than anything.
