Here’s an accident that involved a Maruti Baleno rear-ending MG Hector in Gujarat, and how it has impacted both the cars.
Maruti Baleno is among the best selling hatchbacks of the country and the best selling in its segment. Its fuel-efficient petrol engine, sporty appeal and equally sport driving characteristics make it very popular among the younger generation. While the engine might not look focused on performance, but its 1.2 Litre unit is actually very peppy and enthusiastic.
When it comes to safety, the Baleno shows its drawback with just 2-star rating. It offers good head and neck protection for passengers but chest and knee protection is weak. Here’s an example of its safety rating where the hatch has crashed into a MG Hector that was being tested. The accident happened in Gujarat, near the plant of MG.
Also Read: Here’s All The Features on Offer on the MG Hector Plus!
As you can see, the Baleno has received a major damage on the front side. The bumpers have crumpled up and even the bonnet has taken another shape. While the front portion is completely damaged, the impact has also reached its side fenders. However, the alloy are in proper shape and the doors are also intact.
Now, take a look at the MG Hector. There’s comparatively lower damage on the rear portion. The bumper has received a dent and the spare wheel has come out of the socket due to the impact. Other than that, there’s nothing happened to the SUV and probably, you can live with this damage as well.
The cost of repairing the Baleno will be higher, only if the impact has reached the engine components. As for the Hector, it looks like a company vehicle and probably under testing. No crash test of the Hector has been done yet, but going by the public reviews, the build quality of the SUV seems great and at least worth 3-star safety rating.
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Recently, MG also introduced the Hector Plus, which is basically a 6-seater version. It gets the same engines and gearbox options but different interiors and also some cosmetic differences on the outside. Hector Plus is priced from Rs 13.5 Lakhs up to Rs 18.54 Lakhs (ex-showroom).
