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Like the Hector, the Hector Plus is available with three engines — a 170hp/350Nm, 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual; a 143hp/250Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with a 6-speed manual or dual-clutch auto; and a 143hp/250Nm, 1.5-litre petrol with a mild-hybrid system and 6-speed manual, which is the Hector Plus that we drove.
While it might seem insufficient for an SUV as heavy as this, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol does get the job done. The engine isn’t outright punchy or quick revving. A light enough clutch and easy gearshifts help while the mild-hybrid system also does its work.
The Hector Plus is, surprisingly, easy to drive. The light steering, relatively tight turning circle and 360-degree camera make it easy to place in tight confines while the cushy low-speed ride only furthers its case as a city-friendly SUV. It is on the open road and at higher speeds that the Hector Plus doesn’t feel as well rounded. There is an up-and-down movement that creeps into the experience, and it gets amplified the faster you go.
