MG Comet EV: The story of the Comet begins not in MG’s historical British home but in contemporary China.

The vehicle arrived in India as a rebadged version of the Wuling Air EV, a model that has enjoyed remarkable success in the Chinese market under the joint venture between SAIC, GM, and Wuling.

That Chinese origin story initially raised eyebrows among some Indian consumers, but MG (itself a SAIC-owned brand) has worked diligently to position the Comet as a global urban mobility solution rather than simply a Chinese import.

When the Comet launched in mid-2023, it entered an Indian EV market still finding its footing.

While premium offerings from Tata, Mahindra, and MG itself had begun establishing the viability of electric vehicles for affluent early adopters, the segment lacked a truly accessible entry point that could appeal to first-time EV buyers or serve as a household’s secondary vehicle.

The Comet’s positioning demonstrated MG’s recognition of a fundamental truth about Indian vehicle ownership patterns: many urban households maintain multiple vehicles for different purposes.

The Comet wasn’t designed to replace the family’s primary car but to complement it—handling the daily commute, grocery runs, and school drops while the larger vehicle remained parked during the workweek.

MG Comet EV: Design- Function Defines Form

Approach the Comet, and conventional automotive design principles seem almost irrelevant. The vehicle stands just 1,621mm tall with a length of 2,974mm—dimensions that place it firmly in the microcar category rather than alongside traditional hatchbacks.

The boxy shape maximizes interior volume within this tiny footprint, creating what MG calls “a big small car” rather than a small conventional car.

The front fascia features distinctive LED daytime running lights connected by a light bar across the hood, creating a futuristic face that signals the Comet’s technological aspirations despite its diminutive size.

The side profile reveals doors of nearly identical size front and rear, emphasizing the vehicle’s focus on practical access rather than traditional automotive proportions.

Color choices play a crucial role in the Comet’s visual identity, with options like Apple Green, Starry Black, and Aurora Silver allowing owners to lean into the vehicle’s quirky character.

Two-tone roof options further emphasize this playful approach to personalization, acknowledging that Comet buyers aren’t seeking to blend in with conventional traffic.

What’s most remarkable about the design is how it transforms apparent constraints into virtues. The upright greenhouse provides exceptional visibility for urban driving.

The flat surfaces and minimal overhangs make judging the vehicle’s dimensions effortless when navigating tight spaces. The high roofline creates surprising headroom despite the minimal footprint.

This form-follows-function approach extends to practical details as well. The charging port location on the front fender acknowledges the nose-in parking reality of most Indian urban settings.

The rear hatch opens to reveal a usable, if modest, cargo area that can accommodate a week’s groceries or a couple of small suitcases.

Interior: Surprisingly Spacious Simplicity

Step inside the Comet, and the first impression is often surprise at the interior volume. The cabin feels significantly more spacious than the exterior dimensions suggest—a testament to the efficiency of the packaging.

The dashboard design embraces minimalism, with most functions controlled through a dual-screen setup that dominates the otherwise simple panel.

These twin 10.25-inch displays handle instrument, infotainment, and climate functions, reducing physical buttons to the absolute minimum.

The interface offers surprising sophistication, with the iSMART connected car technology providing features like remote climate control, geo-fencing, and vehicle status monitoring through a smartphone app.

Seating accommodates four adults in a 2+2 configuration, though the rear seats are best suited for shorter journeys or smaller passengers.

The front seats provide better comfort than expected from such a small vehicle, with adequate support for daily urban use.

Interior materials won’t be mistaken for luxury fare, but they avoid the cheap, brittle plastics that once defined entry-level vehicles.

Hard-wearing textured surfaces predominate, with strategic use of gloss black and metallic accents to elevate the overall impression.

Storage solutions demonstrate thoughtful consideration of how the vehicle will actually be used. Cup holders, phone shelves, and door pockets are positioned for easy access.

The rear cargo area offers approximately 200 liters of space—limited by absolute standards but practical for typical urban errands.

Climate control performance deserves special mention, with the system capable of rapidly cooling the small cabin even in punishing Indian summer conditions. This efficiency matters particularly in an EV, where climate control usage directly impacts range.

Technology: Surprising Sophistication

The Comet’s technological approach defies expectations for its price segment. The dual-screen setup mentioned earlier serves as the hub for an ecosystem more comprehensive than many vehicles costing twice as much.

The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by an embedded eSIM that enables live navigation, weather updates, and over-the-air functionality improvements.

Voice recognition capabilities respond to natural language commands for climate, navigation, and entertainment functions, while the customizable instrument display allows drivers to prioritize the information most relevant to their driving style.

The i-SMART connected car features include remote lock/unlock, climate pre-conditioning, and location tracking—valuable functions in India’s urban centers.

Safety technology includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a backup camera.

While not comprehensive by global standards, this package exceeds many comparable ICE vehicles in the price range and addresses the primary safety concerns for urban usage.

Charging infrastructure compatibility prioritizes practical solutions over theoretical capabilities. The Comet supports standard home charging through a portable charger included with the vehicle, requiring approximately 7-8 hours for a full charge from a standard 15A outlet.

DC fast charging capability allows recharging from 10% to 80% in approximately 60 minutes when using compatible public infrastructure.

Performance: Urban Adequacy

The Comet’s performance metrics require context to properly evaluate. The electric motor produces 42 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque—modest figures by conventional standards but entirely adequate given the vehicle’s approximately 800kg curb weight and urban purpose.

Acceleration from 0-60 km/h takes around 7 seconds, providing sufficient responsiveness for city traffic scenarios where quick bursts of speed matter more than outright acceleration.

The top speed is electronically limited to 100 km/h—a reasonable ceiling for a vehicle never intended for extensive highway use.

The battery capacity of 17.3 kWh delivers a claimed range of 230 kilometers under ideal conditions.

Real-world experience typically yields 160-180 kilometers in mixed urban use, more than sufficient for several days of typical city commuting.

Three driving modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—allow drivers to prioritize range or responsiveness as conditions demand.

Ride quality represents a careful compromise given the inherent challenges of the short wheelbase.

The suspension—MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear—manages most urban road imperfections without excessive harshness, though larger obstacles can unsettle the lightweight chassis.

The steering is appropriately light for city maneuvering while providing sufficient feedback to place the vehicle precisely.

The Comet’s most impressive performance characteristic may be its 7.2-meter turning radius, allowing U-turns in spaces where conventional hatchbacks would require three-point turns.

This maneuverability, combined with the exceptional visibility and compact dimensions, transforms the urban driving experience from stressful to almost enjoyable.

Ownership Experience: The Electric Advantage

For many Comet owners, the vehicle represents their first experience with electric mobility, making the ownership journey particularly significant.

MG has focused on addressing potential concerns through practical solutions rather than technical specifications alone.

Running costs demonstrate the Comet’s economic advantage. With electricity costs in most Indian cities hovering around ₹8-10 per kWh, a full charge costs approximately ₹170-200, delivering those 160-180 kilometers of real-world range.

The equivalent distance in a petrol-powered city car would typically cost 3-4 times as much at current fuel prices.

Maintenance requirements decrease significantly compared to internal combustion vehicles. The electric powertrain eliminates oil changes, spark plugs, fuel filters, and many other routine maintenance items. The regenerative braking system reduces wear on friction brakes, extending their service intervals.

MG’s service schedule calls for inspections every 12 months or 10,000 kilometers, with significantly lower average service costs than comparable petrol vehicles.

Battery longevity—a primary concern for many prospective EV buyers—is addressed through an 8-year/150,000 kilometer warranty on the battery pack, while the vehicle itself carries a standard 3-year/unlimited kilometer warranty.

The battery incorporates thermal management systems to mitigate the effects of India’s extreme climate conditions on long-term durability.

The charging infrastructure remains a work in progress across most Indian cities, but the Comet’s modest battery capacity and inclusion of a portable charger mitigate this challenge for most owners.

Overnight home charging suffices for typical usage patterns, with public infrastructure required only for occasional longer journeys beyond the vehicle’s natural urban habitat.

Market Position: Creating Its Category

The Comet occupies a unique position in India’s automotive landscape. With a price range from approximately ₹7.98 to 9.98 lakh (ex-showroom), it costs more than entry-level petrol hatchbacks but substantially less than larger electric offerings like the Tata Nexon EV or MG’s own ZS EV.

This positioning places it in an emerging category of urban electric runabouts rather than directly competing with established vehicle segments.

Its nearest conceptual competitor, the Tata Tiago EV, offers more conventional styling and greater interior space but lacks the Comet’s extreme maneuverability and parking advantages.

Early adoption patterns have revealed interesting demographic trends. Rather than attracting only first-time buyers, the Comet has found homes in affluent households seeking a practical secondary vehicle for urban errands.

Technology professionals particularly appreciate its connected features and environmental credentials, while older buyers value its accessibility and ease of operation.

Hyundai Eon: Small Vehicle, Big Implications

The MG Comet represents more than just another entry in India’s growing electric vehicle catalog—it embodies a fundamentally different approach to urban mobility.

By embracing its identity as a purpose-built city vehicle rather than attempting to check conventional automotive boxes, it offers a glimpse of how urban transportation might evolve as megacities grapple with congestion, pollution, and infrastructure constraints.

Its limitations—modest range, limited highway capability, minimal cargo capacity—are acknowledged rather than disguised, traded deliberately for exceptional urban utility.

This honesty about purpose feels refreshing in a market where vehicles often promise capabilities that real-world usage rarely demands.

For MG, the Comet serves as both a market entry strategy for price-sensitive EV adopters and a learning laboratory for understanding how Indian consumers integrate electric mobility into their daily lives.

The data gathered from thousands of Comets navigating India’s varied urban environments will inevitably shape the company’s future product development.

As electric vehicle adoption accelerates and charging infrastructure expands, vehicles like the Comet may increasingly define urban mobility—not as compromised conventional cars but as purpose-built solutions for the specific challenges of city life.

The diminutive EV maneuvering through Bengaluru’s traffic might well represent not just a quirky alternative but a glimpse of the urban transportation future.