The MG Gloster has been in the market for quite some time now, and has been performing decently in sales averaging 200 units monthly. The Sales has been declining slowly, and MG wants to do something to avoid the sales going to 0 units, and therefore they launch a new Special Edition called BlackStorm for the SUV which has an all black body with red highlights all over the exterior and interior. In this review, we’ll help you understand whether the SUV is worth buying, and what does it come loaded with. Let’s get on with it!
The MG Gloster BlackStorm compared to the standard version comes with a new front face that is all blacked out, sleek LED headlamps with slight cuts on the bonnet, LED DRLs are positioned horizontally, and the bumpers both front and rear are finished in black with red highlights. Moving to the side profile, it has chrome door handles with blacked out body, door cladding with red highlights, few creases running on the body, and the fully-blacked 19-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, it has LED tail lamps with chrome element in between, red highlights on the bumpers, and quad exhausts – two on the left, and two on the right.
| Dimensions | MG Gloster | Toyota Fortuner | Jeep Meridian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4985 MM | 4795 MM | 4769 MM |
| Width | 1926 MM | 1855 MM | 1859 MM |
| Height | 1867 MM | 1835 MM | 1698 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2950 MM | 2745 MM | 2782 MM |
| Turning Radius | 5.8 M | 5.8 M | 5.7 M |
| Ground Clearance | 210 MM | 225 MM | 214 MM |
| Fuel tank | 75 L | 80 L | 60 L |
| Boot space | 343 L | 296 L | 170 L |
| Kerb Weight | 2,225 – 2,465 KG | 2,180 KG | 1,796 – 1,890 KG |
The MG Gloster BlackStorm has a 12.3-inch infotainment system placed above the thinner rectangular AC vents with controls for the climate control below. It has the full-black interiors with red stitching on the seats, and red ambient lighting and red backlight illumination for the buttons. The Gloster has a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel with a digital instrument cluster, push start/stop engine button is positioned on the left side near the infotainment system, and a huge panoramic sunroof. Around the gear lever, it has buttons for ventilated and heated seats for driver, and passenger, hill descent control, traction control, idle stop/start control, self-park, electronic differential lock, lane keep assist, electric parking brake with auto hold function, and round dial for drive modes. The second row in the 6 seater config gets captain seats with two cupholders in the left captain seats, and some storage space in the right captain seats while the 7 Seater config has a bench seat with center armrest. The third row is very comfy, and can travel easily for longer journeys. Lastly, the Gloster has 12-speaker sound system.
The MG Gloster from the inside is so humongous that it feels like the SUV has infinite space. The front seats (Driver and Co-Passenger) offers good driving view which are powered adjustable with lumbar support, so you can adjust the seat the way you want for a very comfy ride. You got two cupholders on the center console, decent size glovebox, and some storage space on the doors. Moving to second row, if you opt for 6 Seater Config, you get captain seats which are just very comfortable, and it reclines so much that you can quite literally sleep on it.
However, the 7 Seater Config has a bench seat with 60:40 split which are also comfortable to travel long journeys without stressing your body too much. To access the 3rd Row, you push the seats ahead, and enter the third row. Now, the third row is like very comfy. Many people have low expectations for third row given its placement and seat height, but MG Motors worked hard to make the third row comfortable.
| Turbo Diesel | MG Gloster | Toyota Fortuner | Jeep Meridian | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Twin-Turbo | 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Single-Turbo | 2.8 L 4 Cylinder Turbo | 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Turbo |
| Displacement | 1996cc | 1996cc | 2755cc | 1956cc |
| Power | 212.55 BHP | 158.79 BHP | 201.15 BHP | 172.35 BHP |
| Torque | 478.5 NM | 373.5 NM | 420 / 500 NM | 350 NM |
| Transmission | 8 Speed AT | 8 Speed AT | 6 Speed IMT / AT | 6 Speed MT / AT |
| Fuel Efficiency | 12.04 KMPL | 13.92 KMPL | 14.60 KMPL – IMT 14.40 KMPL – AT | 15.10 KMPL – MT 14.60 KMPL – AT |
| Petrol | MG Gloster | Toyota Fortuner | Jeep Meridian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | – | 2.7 L 4 Cylinder | – |
| Displacement | – | 2694cc | – |
| Power | – | 164 BHP | – |
| Torque | – | 245 NM | – |
| Transmission | – | 5 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT | – |
| Fuel Efficiency | – | 10 KMPL – MT 10.30 KMPL – AT | – |
So, we had the opportunity to drive the newly launched Blackstorm Special Edition for the MG Gloster which features the 4×4 Drive System, and a 7-Seater Configuration. Powering the Gloster Blackstorm is the same 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Twin-Turbo Diesel Engine generating 212.55 BHP and 478.5 NM of torque mated to the 8 Speed Automatic Gearbox. It gives mileage of 12.04 KMPL on a 75 Litre Fuel Tank. What stood out was the remarkable cabin insulation, keeping road noise out even at speeds above 100 KMPH. The vehicle’s smoothness is so impressive that it’s easy to forget whether it’s running or not when stationary.
With the Gloster, MG has given it 7 driving modes – Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, Eco, and Rock. Regardless of any mode, engine noise is impressively minimal providing a peaceful experience. Switching to Sport Mode, you feel that instant acceleration at 2,000 RPM making your driving worthwhile, plus the SUV stays stable even at those high speeds. Talking about the Brakes, Gloster Braking is very good. We brake tested the SUV at 60 KMPH and since the front and rear wheels are fitted with disc brakes, the SUV came to a halt almost immediately.
Moving on, the steering wheel is so light that it makes turning the SUV very easy especially in the cities, where you gotta keep up with the turns, this lighter steering wheel makes it very easy. But once you start to accelerate harder, like you cross 100+ KMPH speed, you start to feel a little weight on the steering. The visibility is also good as the bonnet is almost flat enhancing your confidence a little more during the turns.
Moving to the Suspension setup, it’s really good. MG tuned the suspension amazingly well to minimize the feeling of speed bumps or potholes as much as possible. We took the SUV for off-roading, and the suspension even there did its job for the driver to feel the potholes or bumpy roads as minimal as possible. At the front, the SUV has double wishbone suspension, while at the rear it’s fitted with Multi-link Double Suspension. But in comparison to its rival, Toyota Fortuner, the suspension of their SUV is better tuned.
So, in the end, the main question that arises is the Gloster BlackStorm worth buying over its rivals? In our opinion, this full-size SUV is definitely worth buying given the amount of space it has to offer plus how humongous it looks from the outside as well as from the inside. The pricing compared to its rivals is reasonable and affordable, and it offers way too many features than its rivals. Additionally, the performance from the engine is also very good, and offers better mileage in this segment.
Variant-wise On-road Price:
Sharp 7 Seater 4×2
2.0 L Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 45.43 L
Savvy 7 Seater 4×2
2.0 L Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 47.21 L
Savvy 6 Seater 4×2
2.0 L Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 47.21 L
BlackStorm 7 Seater 4×2
2.0 L Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 48.04 L
BlackStorm 6 Seater 4×2
2.0 L Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 48.04 L
Savvy 7 Seater 4×4
2.0 L Twin-Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 50.48 L
Savvy 6 Seater 4×4
2.0 L Twin-Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 50.48 L
BlackStorm 7 Seater 4×4
2.0 L Twin-Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 51.32 L
BlackStorm 6 Seater 4×2
2.0 L Twin-Turbo Diesel AT – Rs. 51.32 L
Limited (O)
2.0 L Diesel MT – Rs. 38.81 L
2.0 L Diesel AT – Rs. 41.02 L
Limited+
2.0 L Diesel AT – Rs. 41.72 L
Overland FWD
2.0 L Diesel AT – Rs. 43.63 L
Limited (O) 4×4
2.0 L Diesel AT – Rs. 44.12 L
Limited+ 4×4
2.0 L Diesel AT – Rs. 44.81 L
Overland 4×4
2.0 L Diesel AT – Rs. 46.80 L
4×2
2.8 L Diesel MT – Rs. 42.64 L
2.8 L Diesel AT – Rs. 45.33 L
2.7 L Petrol MT – Rs. 38.69 L
2.7 L Petrol AT – Rs. 40.51 L
4×4
2.8 L Diesel MT – Rs. 47.47 L
2.8 L Diesel AT – Rs. 50.17 L
GR S 4×4
2.8 L Diesel AT – Rs. 60.92 L