MG Comet EV: In the evolving landscape of Indian electric vehicles, size doesn’t always matter. The MG Comet EV proves this point emphatically, bringing a distinctively charming design aesthetic and urban practicality to the market at a price point that forces us to reconsider what entry-level electric mobility should cost.
This diminutive offering from the British-born, Chinese-owned manufacturer doesn’t just shrink the traditional car formula—it reimagines it for congested city environments where space comes at a premium and personality counts for everything.
MG Comet EV Breaking the Mold: Design that Demands Attention
First impressions are striking—the Comet EV looks like nothing else on Indian roads. Its boxy, upright proportions might initially seem utilitarian, but closer inspection reveals thoughtful design flourishes that elevate it beyond mere functionality.
The vehicle’s squared-off silhouette, measuring just 2,974mm in length and 1,505mm in width, creates a distinct visual signature that turns heads not despite its compact dimensions but because of them.
“We deliberately embraced the compact form rather than apologizing for it,” explains Samuel Richards, a designer who worked on the Comet project. “The proportions allowed us to create something with inherent visual charm rather than trying to mimic conventional automotive aesthetics at a smaller scale.”
The front fascia exemplifies this approach, featuring circular LED headlamps encased in squared-off housings, creating a friendly, almost anthropomorphic character.
These are connected by a light bar that spans the width of the vehicle, a premium touch typically found on more expensive EVs. The closed-off grille area—a common electric vehicle design element—is turned into a styling feature with geometric patterns that add visual texture.
Side profiles reveal perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the Comet: the almost perfect square proportions when viewed from this angle. The wheels are pushed to the absolute corners of the vehicle, maximizing the wheelbase relative to overall length and creating surprisingly generous interior space.
The 12-inch alloy wheels on higher variants feature a turbine-inspired design that adds a touch of sophistication, while body-colored inserts break up what could otherwise be slab-sided monotony.
The rear continues the geometric theme with squared-off LED taillights connected by another light bar, creating symmetry with the front design.
A high-mounted stop lamp integrated into the roof spoiler enhances both safety and visual appeal, while the minimal rear overhang reinforces the vehicle’s tidy proportions.
Color options play a crucial role in the Comet’s visual appeal, with MG offering several vibrant choices including Candy White, Starry Black, Aurora Silver, Apple Green, and the particularly eye-catching Candy White with Starry Black roof dual-tone option. These playful colors complement the Comet’s personality perfectly, enhancing its urban-chic positioning.
Cabin Space: Surprising Roominess in a Tiny Footprint
Step inside the Comet EV, and the clever space utilization becomes immediately apparent. Despite its minimal external dimensions, the cabin feels remarkably airy, primarily due to the flat floor (a benefit of the dedicated electric architecture) and tall roof. The two-door configuration might initially seem limiting, but the front seats slide forward easily to provide access to the rear bench.
The dashboard design emphasizes horizontal lines to enhance the perception of width, with a minimalist approach that reduces visual clutter. Twin 10.25-inch screens dominate the space—one serving as the instrument cluster and the other handling infotainment duties. This dual-screen setup, typically found in premium vehicles, lends a decidedly upmarket feel to the interior.
Material quality surpasses expectations given the price point, with textured plastics and fabric inserts breaking up what could otherwise be a sea of hard surfaces.
The rotary gear selector feels substantial in operation, while physical buttons for climate controls demonstrate a pragmatic approach to user interface design that prioritizes ease of use over touch-based trendiness.
Seating comfort benefits from well-cushioned benches rather than aggressively bolstered buckets, prioritizing easy ingress and egress over sporty pretensions.
The elevated seating position provides excellent visibility, crucial for navigating tight urban environments. Rear accommodations are surprisingly adequate for a vehicle of this size, though best suited for shorter journeys or children. Two average-sized adults can fit in reasonable comfort provided front occupants are willing to sacrifice some legroom.
Storage solutions demonstrate thoughtful consideration of real-world usage patterns. Despite the compact dimensions, designers have incorporated numerous small compartments throughout the cabin, including phone shelves, cup holders, and door pockets sized for water bottles.
The glovebox offers reasonable capacity, while a small but usable storage area behind the rear seats provides 200-230 liters of cargo space (depending on how it’s measured)—sufficient for grocery runs or weekend bags, if not extended road trips.
Technological Integration: Connected and Contemporary
The Comet doesn’t skimp on technology despite its affordable positioning. The iSmart connected car suite includes over 55 connected features, including remote climate control activation, geofencing, vehicle tracking, and over-the-air update capability.
The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, addressing a pain point in many more expensive vehicles that still require wired connections.
Voice commands enable control of various vehicle functions, from navigation to climate settings, using natural language processing that performs admirably even with diverse Indian accents.
The system responds to the “Hello MG” wake phrase and executes most basic commands without requiring precise phrasing or multiple attempts.
Audio quality from the four-speaker system exceeds expectations, with clear reproduction and reasonable bass response despite the obvious space limitations for speaker placement.
Bluetooth connectivity is seamless, while USB-C ports (one in front, one for rear passengers) acknowledge the shifting connector standard for modern devices.
The digital instrument cluster offers multiple display configurations, allowing drivers to prioritize different information types depending on their preferences.
These range from a minimalist speed-focused layout to more comprehensive displays that incorporate energy consumption data, range estimation, and regenerative braking information.
Safety features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera—a reasonable suite given the price point and intended usage.
The Electronic Stability Programme provides additional confidence on slippery surfaces, while the tire pressure monitoring system helps maintain optimal efficiency.
Powertrain and Performance: Urban Efficiency
Propulsion comes from a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, producing a modest 42 bhp and 110 Nm of torque. While these figures won’t impress on paper, they translate to perfectly adequate performance in the Comet’s natural urban habitat, particularly given its approximately 815 kg curb weight.
Acceleration from 0-40 km/h—the range most relevant for city driving—feels brisk thanks to the instantaneous torque delivery characteristic of electric motors.
The 0-60 km/h sprint takes around 7 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 100 km/h, acknowledging both the vehicle’s urban focus and aerodynamic limitations.
Three driving modes (Normal, Eco, and Sport) alter throttle response and regenerative braking intensity. Sport mode noticeably sharpens initial acceleration, while Eco prioritizes range extension through gentler power delivery and more aggressive energy recuperation when lifting off the accelerator.
The battery pack, mounted under the floor, offers 17.3 kWh of capacity, enabling a claimed ARAI-certified range of 230 kilometers on a full charge.
Real-world testing suggests 170-180 kilometers is achievable in mixed conditions, with this figure dropping to around 150 kilometers in purely urban stop-and-go scenarios with the air conditioning running. This range envelope proves perfectly adequate for several days of typical urban commuting without requiring regular charging.
Charging options include a 3.3 kW onboard charger that can replenish the battery from 0-100% in approximately 7 hours using a standard AC wallbox charger.
Unlike some competitors, the Comet doesn’t currently offer DC fast charging capability—a conscious decision that helped achieve the aggressive price point while acknowledging that most urban users will charge overnight at home rather than requiring rapid public charging.
Driving Dynamics: City-Friendly Agility
Behind the wheel, the Comet feels perfectly tailored to its intended environment. The steering is light yet direct, requiring minimal effort for parking maneuvers while providing sufficient feedback at urban speeds. The turning radius of just 4.2 meters borders on miraculous, allowing U-turns in spaces where most vehicles would require three-point turns.
Ride quality surprises given the short wheelbase, with the suspension (MacPherson struts up front, torsion beam at the rear) tuned to prioritize compliance over sportiness.
Speed bumps and potholes are absorbed with greater composure than expected, though sharper impacts can still unsettle the lightweight chassis. Highway stability is acceptable given the tall, narrow proportions, though cross-winds can require steering corrections.
Regenerative braking offers three intensity levels, selected via the infotainment system. At its highest setting, one-pedal driving becomes possible in urban environments, with sufficient deceleration when lifting off the accelerator to handle most slowing needs without requiring the brake pedal. This not only enhances efficiency but also improves the driving experience in stop-and-go traffic.
NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) control deserves special mention. Without an internal combustion engine, electric vehicles often reveal secondary noise sources like tire roar and wind rush.
The Comet’s engineers have done commendable work in this area, with reasonable sound insulation creating a cabin that remains peaceful at city speeds, if somewhat louder at the highway pace the vehicle was never really designed to maintain.
Pricing Strategy: Disruptive Affordability
Perhaps the Comet’s most compelling feature is its price positioning. Starting at ₹7.98 lakh for the base Excite variant and extending to ₹9.98 lakh for the top-spec Exclusive (ex-showroom), it establishes a new entry point for four-wheel electric mobility in India.
This pricing places it significantly below established EV competitors like the Tata Tiago EV (starting around ₹10 lakh) while offering a comprehensive feature set and distinctive design.
Three variants comprise the lineup: Excite (base), Play (mid), and Exclusive (top). Even the entry-level Excite includes the dual 10.25-inch screens, connected car technology, and essential safety features.
The Play adds two-tone exterior color options and enhanced interior trim, while the Exclusive brings additional convenience features like a rear-view camera, leatherette upholstery, and the full suite of connected services.
This aggressive pricing hasn’t come through obvious corner-cutting, but rather through careful engineering decisions regarding battery size, charging capabilities, and leveraging parent company SAIC’s enormous scale in EV production. The result is a vehicle that feels properly developed rather than compromised, despite its breakthrough price point.
Market Impact: Redefining Urban Electric Mobility
The Comet arrives at a pivotal moment in India’s electric vehicle journey. While EV adoption continues to accelerate, the majority of sales remain concentrated in the premium segments where higher upfront costs can be more easily absorbed. The Comet addresses the crucial affordability gap that has prevented many urban dwellers from transitioning to electric mobility.
Its closest competitors include the Tata Tiago EV, which offers more conventional styling and superior highway capability at a higher price point, and various electric scooters that can’t match the Comet’s weather protection and passenger capacity.
This positioning creates a relatively uncontested niche for MG’s micro-EV, appealing particularly to urban families seeking a second vehicle for city runabouts or young professionals prioritizing style and technology in a compact package.
Early sales figures suggest the strategy is resonating with consumers. MG reported over 5,000 bookings within the first month of launch, with particularly strong demand in metropolitan areas where parking constraints make the Comet’s compact footprint especially valuable.
The company has indicated plans to scale production to meet this demand, with monthly capacity expected to reach 3,000 units by year-end.
Ownership Experience: Simplified Electric Living
MG has complemented the Comet’s value proposition with an ownership package designed to address common EV anxieties. This includes a standard 3-year/unlimited kilometer vehicle warranty, supplemented by an 8-year/150,000 kilometer warranty specifically for the battery pack. Free roadside assistance for the warranty period provides additional peace of mind.
Charging infrastructure support includes a complimentary AC charger with installation for all buyers, with MG partnering with Tata Power and Jio-bp to provide preferential rates for public charging at their networks. The MG smartphone app allows users to locate compatible charging stations and plan journeys with charging stops when needed.
Service intervals are set at 12 months/20,000 kilometers, significantly longer than typical internal combustion vehicles, reflecting the reduced maintenance requirements of electric powertrains. MG claims up to 40% lower maintenance costs compared to equivalent petrol vehicles over a five-year ownership period.
MG Comet EV Conclusion: Small Car, Big Impact
The MG Comet EV represents a significant milestone in India’s electric vehicle journey—not through groundbreaking technology or spectacular performance, but by making genuinely practical electric mobility accessible at a price point previously occupied only by internal combustion vehicles.
Its distinctive design turns the compact dimensions from a potential limitation into a defining character trait, while the thoughtfully designed interior makes the most of the available space.
The technology integration exceeds expectations at this price point, delivering a connected experience typically associated with more premium offerings.
While not without limitations—the two-door configuration, modest cargo space, and absence of fast-charging capability require certain compromises—the Comet understands its target audience with impressive clarity.
For urban dwellers seeking affordable electric mobility with genuine personality, it offers a compelling proposition that previously simply didn’t exist in the Indian market.
As larger, more expensive electric vehicles continue to push technological boundaries, the Comet reminds us that meaningful innovation sometimes comes through thoughtful application of existing technology at accessible price points.
In making electric mobility attainable for a broader demographic, this charming micro-EV may ultimately have a greater impact on India’s electric transition than many of its more headline-grabbing, premium-priced counterparts.