MG Comet

MG Comet Introduction

From our first drive, we’d established that MG’s two-door, four-seater Comet is an unconventional EV targeting a very specific audience. But with ex-showroom prices ranging between Rs 8 lakh-10 lakh, not only does it need to be a point A to B commuter, but it also needs to deliver on factors such as desirability, technology, performance and value. Plus, there are other electric hatchbacks at this price that the Comet will need to pull buyers from. Can it? We examine the MG Comet EV with a fine-tooth comb and put it through our instrumented tests to find out.

MG Comet Design and engineering

The Comet is built on SAIC-GM-Wuling’s Global Small Electric Vehicle (GSEV) platform, which also underpins other micro EVs. It’s produced at the firm’s plant in Gujarat, with over 60 percent localisation, and MG has an ambitious target of 25,000 units annually, which is close to what the Tata Tiago EV sells.

Clockwise from left: 12-inch wheels look puny; LED headlamps have an excellent throw and spread: Attractive LED lightbar runs the width of the boot; Tiny bonnet warrants a visit to MG’s workshop to replace 12V battery.

Thanks to its born-electric platform, this isn’t a conventional two-box hatchback as there is no provision for an internal combustion engine and gearbox. Instead, the Comet has an almost monovolume body shell designed to be as compact as possible while maximising cabin space. Its 17.3kWh lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery is placed beneath the front seats, the motor controller is up front, and the 42hp electric motor is at the back driving the rear wheels.

It appears like a neatly sculpted tall cube with wheels stretched at extreme corners, and has a wheelbase of 2,010mm. In fact, the Comet is rather cleverly packaged – at 2,974mm in length, it is the shortest passenger car in India. However, it is 15mm wider than an Alto, and at 1,650mm, it is just 25mm shorter than a WagonR. And no, it isn’t classified as a quadricycle in India, since its weight and top speed at 817kg and 101kph, respectively, are above the limit.

Clockwise from left: Solidly built front doors open wide; Nifty buckle on the seats ensure seat belts are within easy reach; It gets a tyre inflator kit; Tyre pressure loss indicator needs to be reset after each inflation.

One thing is for sure, it doesn’t look like a low-cost runabout; instead, it looks posh and upmarket thanks to the generous use of chrome on its body and stunning LED light bars at the front and rear. From certain angles, its disproportionate wheel-to-body ratio due to its tiny 12-inch wheels and a slab-sided tall-boy profile make it appear a bit comical. But there’s just no disregarding the Comet’s charm, and its ability to draw attention with its uniqueness.

MG has limited the Comet’s colour palette to just four shades. On the flipside, the company is giving buyers the option to personalise their cars with a plethora of funky body stickers and graphics.

MG Comet Interiors

Being based on a born-electric platform, the Comet’s space management is excellent. Since there isn’t an engine and gearbox, the HVAC unit has been moved from its traditional location, thus freeing up space beneath the dashboard, and the centre console has been done away with altogether. Not only does it add to the sense of space, but since the driver’s door of our test car didn’t open from the outside due to a technical fault, it was very easy to slide into the driver’s seat from the passenger side.

Clockwise from left: Rotary drive selector swivels with satisfying heft; It comes to life with two taps to the brake pedal; Hazard light switch is placed on the roof; Storage is limited and glove box is missing.

What you’ll truly appreciate is its bright cabin, the expansive glass area and the minimalistic theme with a twin-screen set-up that looks classy and futuristic. The quality of bits feels top-notch, as does the build of the interiors. The two-spoke steering, smart key and even the rotary drive selector are reminiscent of the earlier-gen iPods in the way they’re designed and operate.

As mentioned, the LFP battery pack is placed beneath the front seats and, as a result, the seats are rather high-set to begin with, and the driving position is upright, very van-like with a steering that’s angled upwards. Shorter drivers or new drivers will appreciate this position as it gives them excellent frontal visibility, and makes it very easy to judge the front edges of the car. What is a bit concerning is that while reversing out of a perpendicular spot, the passenger seat does create a huge blind spot.

Front seats are rather highset. Stubby seat base hampers thigh support.

The front seats themselves offer limited recline and no height adjustment, and because the squab is short with a roundish design towards the end, thigh support is lacking. We also noticed squeaks emanating from the handbrake console, particularly when both front seats are occupied.

Thanks to its wide-opening doors, and an easy access lever to slide the front seat forward, access to the second row from a largish cavity is quite easy. Its rear seat is for two adults only, but what’s surprising is that even taller folk will fit quite easily, with the aircraft-style vertical (fixed) windows adding to its bright and airy ambience. Occupants are seated low, so thigh support is lacking and its low, fixed head restraints will not protect rear passengers from whiplash injuries in the event of a rear collision.

Rear is bright, airy and surprisingly spacious for two adults.

In terms of storage and practicality, its door bins are quite accommodating, and there are cupholders in front of the air vents on the extreme ends, which is a clever way of keeping your beverages cool. Owners will miss a glovebox, and will be forced to stow their smartphones on an open shelf on the dash; however, since the base isn’t rubberised, the phone will slide around while on the move. There are storage hooks beneath the air-con console, as well as USB charging ports and a 12V socket. Rear passengers get useful front seatback pockets too.

Super-slim boot with rear seats in place. Backrest can fold flat 50:50.

With the last row in place, the boot can only accommodate MG’s portable charger and a laptop bag at best. Interestingly, its rear seats fold flat 50:50, and with them tucked away and some sensible space management, you can easily haul four large and two medium-sized suitcases, thanks to its boxy dimensions, which is significantly more than what its size suggests.

MG Comet Equipment

The Comet’s pièce de résistance is its twin 10.25-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other being the touchscreen infotainment. While the former is large, the fonts are rather small and there’s a lot of wasted space, so execution isn’t the best. The latter packs in wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as e-SIM-based connected car features. However, it needs a confident poke to operate, and isn’t devoid of software gremlins either. We did notice the system disconnecting Android Auto on a few occasions, and the screen also blanked out on other occasions. It features just two speakers, and the sound quality is poor, which is particularly disappointing for a car positioned to cater to new-age buyers. Other notable features are LED lights, both at the front and rear, front power windows, reversing camera, keyless entry and electric wing mirror adjustment.

The touchscreen gets wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and e-SIM-based connected car tech. 

Safety kit includes hill-hold assist, ABS, dual airbags and a tyre pressure loss indicator, which MG recommends that owners reset each time they inflate the tyres. Sadly, ESP isn’t on offer.

The list of missing features includes automatic climate control, electric folding wing mirrors, rear wiper and washer, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, closed storage compartment, and alloys, all of which would be nice in a car at this price.

Infotainment

Handy reverse camera with adaptive guidelines; 360-deg camera is reserved for markets abroad.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen is packed with wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and SIM-based connected car features; the latter being free for the first year. The screen responds well and getting acquainted with its interface is straightforward. Its touch sensitivity could have been better, and it needs a confident poke rather than a light touch. The system isn’t devoid of software gremlins – the screen blanked out on more than one occassion when connected via CarPlay or Android Auto. Also, sound output from the two speakers is a huge let down, especially compared to other EVs at its price point.

MG Comet Performance

The MG Comet’s 17.3kWh lithium ferrous phosphate battery is placed beneath the front seats, the motor controller is up front, and the 42hp/110Nm electric motor sits at the rear and drives the rear wheels.

While specs on paper aren’t exciting to begin with, factor in the motor’s instantaneous responses and its scant 817kg kerb weight, and there’s adequate performance for daily duties. The Comet has enough pep to keep up with flowing traffic and it’ll even get to speeds of 60kph without breaking a sweat. Performance in Eco mode is relatively dull and acceleration is measured, but for an errand or a typical short-distance commute, torque feels sufficient. Of course, Normal and Sport modes will do a better and quicker job when you’re in a hurry or need to dart in and out of gaps in traffic. Interestingly, while Eco feels the dullest, acceleration in Normal and Sports feels quite similar.

Has enough pep to keep up with city traffic up to 60kph.

For reference, the Comet accelerates from 0-60kph in 7.6 seconds and 7.8 seconds in Sport and Normal modes, respectively, while it takes 9.02 seconds in Eco mode. Post 60kph, acceleration significantly flattens in all modes, and it builds speed much slower. In its quickest setting, the Comet hits 100kph in 23.87 seconds; in Normal mode, it’ll do the same in 24.93 seconds, and in Eco, its top speed is limited to 81kph. To put its numbers into perspective, a Tata Tiago EV is quicker from 0-60kph by 2 seconds, and it’ll out-drag the Comet to 100kph by almost 9.5 seconds.

Refinement isn’t its strong suit either. And when tyre noise doesn’t filter through, you will hear the motor inside the cabin. Thankfully, rather than sounding buzzy or whiny, it emits a pleasant, almost musical tone akin to the fake tones played through the speakers in some luxury EVs. Uniquely, the instrument cluster also displays motor speed, with revs maxing at 7,600rpm at a top speed of 101kph.

There are three levels of regenerative braking too, with the middle setting feeling the most natural and the highest being the most aggressive. You can bring the car down to a crawl in the highest setting, however, it doesn’t come to a complete stop without pressing the brake pedal, so one-pedal driving isn’t possible.

MG Comet Range and charging

With the Comet in Eco mode and max level of regenerative braking, we conducted our tests primarily in the city with some highway sections as well. The MG returned a rather impressive efficiency of 11.17km per kWh, which extrapolates to a range of 193km. In Normal and Sport, where performance is livelier and top speed is higher, expect the range to be a lot lower.

By default, the instrument cluster shows a range of 200km on a 100 percent charge or a 2:1 range to state of charge ratio, which can be a bit misleading. This is very unlike modern EVs, which display predicted range based on drive modes and driving style.

At 193km, its range is impressive, but outright performance isn’t.

In terms of charging, MG has skimped the provision of DC fast charging to save costs stating that “90 percent of EV owners prefer home charging”. This hampers the Comet’s usability though as public AC fast chargers are relatively limited, and to charge the battery from 20-80 percent, it takes a little over 3 hours, with the vehicle accepting charge at around 3.3kWh. With MG’s portable charger that connects to a 3-pin 15-amp power socket, it takes almost 5 hours to charge its battery from 20-80 percent. 

MG Comet Ride and handling

You’ll certainly appreciate the Comet from behind the wheel not only due to its excellent frontal visibility and compact dimensions but also due to its light, buttery smooth steering. Its turning radius is just 4.2m, so manoeuvrability is excellent.

Of course, with wheels the size of a medium pizza, it doesn’t smother road imperfections like a car with larger tyres, and its short travel suspension can occasionally feel clunky over sharp potholes.

It feels extremely easy to navigate this EV through narrow, meandering lanes.

But on the whole, thanks to its multi-link suspension (rear), the ride is acceptable and does not come across as too firm or too soft either. It only feels choppy over bad road surfaces.

Expectedly, with small wheels and narrow tyres, a slab-sided design and a light kerb weight, highway drives aren’t very confidence-inspiring. A simple lane-changing manoeuvre results in a prominent top-end sway, and wind drafts from heavy vehicles passing by at highway speeds can make it rock around a bit. If you venture into attacking corners, barring the body roll, you’ll realise that its rear-wheel-drive layout and solid rear axles ensure that there’s a good amount of mechanical grip, even though its skinny tyres break traction much sooner.

The brakes have adequate stopping power to keep things under control and the pedal feels quite natural too. But panic braking scenarios can unsettle the car, and we recorded a longer than average, 34-metre stopping distance in our test from 80-0kph.
 

MG Comet Verdict

The MG Comet is a two-door, four-seater electric hatchback that is appealing in a very quirky kind of way. Apart from its radical styling, what will blow your mind is its beautifully built interiors, which aren’t just posh but spacious enough to accommodate four adults. What’s more is that its battery range is impressive, and its ease of driving and ability to turn on a dime is unparalleled.

Quirky and cool, but for a lakh or two less, it would have been a much more convincing buy.

In terms of features, the Comet is a mixed bag: it has LED headlamps, connected car tech, twin-digital screens, but it misses out on features like a premium sound system, a rear wiper washer, auto headlamps, cruise control and electric folding wing mirrors.

This MG’s unique selling proposition is its compactness and the fact that it’s purpose-built for intra-city commutes only. However, these exact factors will dissuade a majority of buyers looking for a practical, family car, thus limiting its target audience to the ones looking for an upmarket secondary urban runabout only. And when you take its pricing into account, it isn’t value for money either. Furthermore, it does not support DC fast charging and boot space is limited. With competing electric hatches checking all these boxes and more, the MG Comet remains a very niche buy.