MG Comet EV: The majority of modern cars are quite simple to understand, but the MG Comet EV is a little trickier. it’s an urban electric hatchback similar to the Tiago EV, it’s tall, boxy, and upright like the Waggon R, and because of its born-electric platform, it’s more roomy than its size would indicate, similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Even with all of these references, after driving it, it still feels like nothing else, which is precisely what MG comet EV desires. It hopes that the Comet will cause a stir by appealing to a completely different type of customer than anything else on the market thanks to its unusual appearance and highly specialised skill set.
MG Comet EV colours and exterior design
Without a doubt, the MG Comet EV is a cube. Its monovolume hatchback design replaces the traditional two-box hatchback shape; imagine removing the engine bay and boot to create the smallest possible car. This is made possible by its born-electric skateboard platform. Its tiny 12-inch wheels pushed out to the corners make it the smallest car in India, measuring just 2.9 metres long, 1.5 metres wide, and 1.6 metres tall. Its wheelbase is 2,010 millimetres. However, it’s obvious that aerodynamics aren’t a concern for this slab-faced hatchback, unlike many other born EVs. It makes sense that the proportions would make you think of the Tata Nano, which also used its rear-engine layout to keep its size down in an effort to become a better urban runabout.
However, the Comet’s design execution is more upscale because of the extensive use of chrome, striking colours, and LEDs in the headlamps, taillamps, wing-mirror indicators, and the unique light bars at the front and back. In fact, because each projector unit has high-quality components, the lighting appears exceptionally luxurious. The MG Comet EV logo even illuminates. Another daring break from tradition is the fact that it only has two doors, and the back seat’s fixed “porthole” window adds a unique design element. The charging port is located in the nose, the tailboard sports MG’s now-famous ‘Internet Inside’ badge and there are fluid top-up vestibules beneath the bonnet in place of a front boot.
Even with its obvious fun, we wish MG Comet EV had provided more colour options. There’s the black and white metallic grey that you see here, as well as Apple Green, the only colour that leans outward. All do, however, come with black roofs and pillars; however, MG Comet EV offers a variety of styling and decal packs, some of which look pretty good, if you want to add more colour. When everything is taken into account, the design strongly resembles a Japanese Kei car and is ultra-compact, ‘tall boy’ city mobility. Furthermore, because it weighs more than 475 kg, it is not a quadricycle.
MG Comet interior space
Though it is extremely narrow and you will always be in close proximity to the person next to you, the interior makes the most of its tall design and born MG Comet EV architecture to free up space. Because the seats are high and lack height adjustment, taller passengers may find themselves staring down the road instead of forward. They have fixed head restraints and are slim as well, but they are also fairly comfortable. Huge space is freed up between the dashboard and the driver thanks to the dashboard’s small size and placement far back against the large windscreen’s base. Large windows and an abundance of natural light are features of the enormous glasshouse.
The absence of a gearbox tunnel additionally results in a sizable common footwell for the two front passengers. Unfortunately, this means that there are only two tiny bag hooks that fold out from under the dash in place of central storage. The narrow centre console between the seats contains the window switches, handbrake, and drive selector; you could possibly put your phone here. There is also no glove box, just a shallow shelf. However, as an add-on, you can purchase a compact, covered cubbyhole and armrest above the handbrake that have built-in USB ports. However, the door pockets are enormous and reach far enough back to be useful for the passengers in back.
In relation to that, when you open the large door, the front seats can be easily flipped and slid off to reveal the rear seats, which is where the surprise is. The absence of a third seat belt indicates that the space is only meant for two people, despite the fact that it is actually fairly decent for tall passengers. Having said that, comfort is more akin to the third row of a quality MPV than the second row of a hatchback, thanks to the small seat base and upright seatback angle. In addition to providing enough natural light, the vertical window offers an intriguing, window-like view outside.
There is hardly any boot at the back, and the tiny opening behind the seats is only slightly large enough to accommodate a laptop bag and the charging cable. Although the seat backs can be folded in half, it will usually be simpler to just put items on the back seat. There’s only a puncture repair kit instead of a spare tyre.
MG Comet features, safety and quality
Perceived quality, which is excellent for something that could appear to be a cheap car from the outside, is what might really sell the MG Comet EV to many. Overall, the plastic quality is excellent; the dash and doors have soft-touch material, and the assembly is neatly finished with few gaps and sharp edges. The roof liner is made of a high-quality woven material, and even the colour selection—glossy white and light grey—gives it a sleek, modern vibe, even though it is prone to dirt. The steering controls, which are evocative of the click-wheel from the 22-year-old Apple iPod, really carry over the tech theme.
The chunky AC knobs, the rotary drive state selector that clicks into place with a satisfying click, the unique key fob that resembles a lozenge, and the expertly made wiper and indicator stalks are some more excellent features. The two free-standing, 10.25-inch colour infotainment and instrumentation screens, however, are the main talking point. Like a Mercedes GLA, the panels are thin, have bright colours, and great resolutions. This enhances the minimalist appearance by enabling them to be used without a hooded binnacle even in bright light. Good touchscreen responsiveness, a simple user interface, and customisable home screen widgets for the majority of the apps are cool features.Larger graphics that would have made the instruments screen easier to read while on the go would have improved the screen’s informativeness, even with SOC, range, and voltage data. The central Comet icon is cool, but it takes up too much screen space and makes reference to ADAS features that the Indian car lacks. The Comet lights up accurately when you use the lights, indicators, brakes, or open the doors.
It has a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car technology, and keyless entry and exit. Even the car can be unlocked using a smartphone. But features like wireless charging, automatic headlamps, and climate control that would have made the MG Comet EV more appealing to upwardly mobile people are absent from the vehicle. Not that you’d need a sunroof anyway; this is also the first MG Comet EV without a panoramic sunroof, a feature that all previous models have been proud to have.
Two airbags, ABS with EBD, a tyre pressure loss indicator, a rear parking camera and sensors, and ISOFIX child seat mounts are among the safety features.
MG Comet battery, range, charging and motor
The MG Comet EV has a stated range of 230 kilometres on the MIDC cycle thanks to a reasonably sized 17.3kWh prismatic cell lithium-ion battery that is purchased from Tata Autocomp. We discovered that it retained its charge well during our brief, city-focused drive, and extrapolating that information out to a range of nearly 200 km, but we’ll hold off on making a final determination until we can conduct a comprehensive Autocar India range test. Its stated charging times are 10–80% in 5 hours and 100% in 7 hours, which makes sense considering that all EV batteries reduce their charge rate for the final 20% of the charge.
The Comet can be charged at its maximum rate of 3.3kW using a Type 2 AC fast charger, which MG can install in your house or place of business. The absence of DC fast charging, which MG claims would have only increased the price of a car that does not need it, is regrettable, but if buyers request it, the brand may add it in future models.
The MG Comet EV produces 42 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque, which are both fairly low. With a curb weight of slightly over 800 kg, there isn’t much of the car to move. Its rear-wheel-drive setup, which is based on an unconventional ICE hatchback, allows the motor to be located at the back, sparing the tiny 145/70 R12 front tyres from being overpowered by both propulsion and steering. The Comet has a keyless entry system but no start button; to turn it on, just depress the brake pedal for two seconds. To turn it off, exit the vehicle and lock it. It feels gimmicky even though it adds a little more convenience, and we found ourselves using the emergency “off” switch that is tucked under the dashboard.
Naturally, there isn’t the forward lunge we’ve become accustomed to when we poke the accelerator pedal of an electric vehicle. There isn’t even a creep mode to help you get out of a standstill—performance is laid back. Eco, Normal, and Sport are the three drive modes available, and yes, there is a noticeable difference between them.As Eco can feel a bit too muted for the cut and thrust of Indian traffic, you might want to use Normal for most situations.
That being said, for an urban runabout, the MG Comet EV feels most comfortable at slow to medium speeds. Its modular design compensates for its lack of overt oomph by enabling you to subtly distribute power. We were only able to reach a top speed of about 80 kph during our test drive, so don’t expect to see gas-powered vehicles tearing through traffic lights.
MG Comet ride and handling
You have to get used to the Comet’s unusual size after sitting in the tall driver’s seat. It is extremely cramped; the front ends almost exactly where your feet are; the thick C-pillar and tightly wedged seats obstruct your view backward; and the vertical doors give the impression that there is no more space on either side when in fact there is plenty. This car barely fills half a regulation-size lane on the road, making it no bigger than an autorickshaw, so you have to keep reminding yourself to drive appropriately.
Driveshaft-free steering makes it easy to manoeuvre around town. The steering is light and pleasant. Its 8.4-meter-tiny turning circle is primarily due to its small size rather than how much the wheels spin. The lack of excessive sharpness or speed in the steering is actually advantageous because the small wheels, top-heavy height, and short length make it insensitive to sudden changes in direction. In fact, it becomes uneasy at higher speeds, so you should minimise your steering inputs.
Even worse on uneven terrain, as the short tyres and wheels just don’t have the compliance of a larger vehicle or one with suspension with more travel. You will definitely feel every bump in the road as it rolls beneath the car because the ride is firm. In a similar vein, speed breakers and potholes thud loudly. Once more, just slowing down makes a big difference, and the Comet’s suspension functions best at low speeds. Naturally, refinement is excellent in the absence of a combustion engine, but the small tyres actually contribute to this by reducing road noise. Despite the boxy design and large mirrors, there is also pleasantly little wind noise.
MG Comet price and verdict
The MG Comet EV defies custom and tradition in every manner conceivable. Even EVs are evaluated based on a broad range of factors, which are even more pronounced in the lower price points where they are typically the only means of transportation for entire families. MG claims that the Comet won’t be that vehicle—at least not at first. They predict that its early adopters will be risk-takers who wish to try something completely different but already have another car in the garage. At most, they’ll take the Comet to watch a movie with two friends or go out to dinner with their significant other. They’ll use it for their solo commute.
Although that seems like a very specific use case, MG Comet EV believes that most young people in big cities already live like that, as shown by a number of striking statistics in their product presentation. As we initially stated, this is not an easy car to understand, but MG’s reasoning makes sense: rather than focusing more on what people do need, why not eliminate what they don’t? It is intended to be a master of a select few rather than a jack of all trades. Its manoeuvrability, ease of parking, and low operating costs (MG claims Rs 519 a month) more than make up for its lack of performance and practicality. As for its range, rigorous urban usage could
Even with a few more features, it would have truly distinguished itself from the competition. The ride quality could have been improved, and there could have been a few more useful stowage spaces inside the cabin. It is now the most reasonably priced electric vehicle in India thanks to MG’s tempting Rs 7.98–9.98 lakh (ex-showroom) introductory price, which is good for the first 5,000 units. Given the Comet’s niche positioning in a segment of the market that still favours a direct price to size ratio, this effectively undercuts the Tata Tiago EV. That way of thinking has been upended by EVs in general and the Comet in particular.
MG Comet EV Review On You-Tube
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