MG Astor Discontinued, Replacement In The Works – Report

Major shifts are underway in the Indian automotive market as Rushlane reports that the MG Astor has been discontinued, clearing the path for an entirely redesigned successor built on a brand-new modular architecture. Launched originally in 2021 as a pioneer in the crowded 4.2m to 4.5m compact SUV sector, the vehicle initially turned heads by introducing segment-first innovations such as Level-2 ADAS and a built-in artificial intelligence personal assistant. Despite capturing early consumer interest, the model struggled to carve out sustained market share against powerhouse competitors like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, while later facing pressure from a wave of newer rivals including the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Honda Elevate.

Sales figures underscore the uphill battle the model faced. According to market data reported by Rushlane, the Astor recorded 1,715 units during January–September 2026, marking a 38.53% increase from 1,238 units in the corresponding period of the previous year. Yet, this performance translated to a monthly average of just 191 units. Concentrated activity during the third quarter brought in 1,240 units, with September registering 284 units—outperforming the 90 units recorded a year prior but falling steeply behind August's volume of 720 units. By contrast, segment leaders such as the Hyundai Creta achieved 1,43,424 units over the exact same nine-month stretch, while the Kia Seltos registered 99,655 units. Even lower-volume contenders significantly outperformed the Astor during the period.

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Product packaging shifts also hindered momentum. Originally introduced with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine generating 110 hp and a 1.3-litre direct injection turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine producing 140 hp, the lineup saw its turbo option removed in February 2025. This left the SUV reliant on a single engine choice paired with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT. Additionally, individual aesthetic customisations saw pruning: CarDekho noted that the Spiced Orange paint option, available from the vehicle's inception, was quietly dropped, leaving palette choices limited to Havana Grey, Aurora Silver, Glaze Red, Starry Black, and Candy White with an optional black roof.

Looking ahead, JSW MG Motor India is pivoting its strategy heavily toward new energy vehicles, with corporate goals aiming for 75% of overall sales to stem from electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, as India Car News reports. The existing platforms for both the Astor and the ZS EV will be retired in favour of the SAIC Intelligent Global Modular Architecture, known as the SIGMA platform. Developed by SAIC Motor, this new framework packs multi-powertrain flexibility supporting internal combustion engines, hybrids, and pure electric configurations, while accommodating advanced electronic systems such as 5G connectivity, Gigabit Ethernet, and over-the-air updates.

What happens next for buyers and the brand involves a staged rollout of fresh metal. JSW MG Motor India is preparing to launch a plug-in hybrid SUV codenamed 560 in the second half of 2026, which will be followed by the official market debuts of the next-generation Astor and ZS EV in 2027.