MG Motors India has announced the pricing of the new MG Comet EV city-friendly electric car. The MG Comet EV’s starting price is a whole Rs 71,000 cheaper than its nearest rival, the Tata Tiago EV. The MG Comet EV is much closer in comparison to the Tata Tiago EV and both the electric hatchbacks offer ample number of features to sweeten the deal. We pit the MG Comet EV against the base Tata Tiago XE (MR), both of which are currently the cheapest electric city cars.
MG Comet EV vs Tata Tiago EV: Price
The MG Comet EV has been launched at a starting price of Rs 7.98 lakh (ex-showroom, pan India). The vehicle is being offered in a single trim level. Customers will have the option to choose from five paint shades which include dual-tone Apple Green and Starry Black, dual-tone Candy White and Starry Black, Starry Black, Aurora Silver and Candy White. The customers will also be given the option of adding multiple customization options through skins and wraps and there could be over 250 possible combinations. MG Motors India will start test drives from 27th April 2023 and bookings will open from 15th May 2023. Deliveries are expected to begin in late May 2023.
The Tata Tiago EV was launched at a starting price of Rs 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom) for its base XE trim level for the first 20,000 bookings. The prices have now been updated and now stand at Rs 8.69 lakh (ex-showroom) for the same variant. Surprisingly, the base XE trim is only offered in Pristine White paint shade while the higher variant gets a total of five paint shade options.
MG Comet EV vs Tata Tiago EV
design
Right from the start, the MG Comet EV will grab attention owing to its unconventional styling. The MG Comet EV is a smaller car with three doors instead of five and has an odd tall-boy styling. The compact footprint doesn’t compromise on space inside, and MG claims that six-footers can sit on a smaller stint. The MG Comet EV includes unique design highlights such as an option for a dual-tone paint job, connected LED light bars at the front and rear, chrome design elements and aerodynamic wheel covers. The poppy color options and customization options will also surely pique the interest of the young buyers.
The Tata Tiago EV is 795mm long, 172mm wide and has a 390mm long wheelbase. The Tiago EV is also smaller with five doors and hence looks more conventional than the MG Comet EV. The Tiago EV also bears a strong resemblance to its ICE-powered counterpart and thus loses the novelty factor of the MG Comet EV. Also, the Tiago EV in its base trim, which we are comparing, gets only one paint shade and is devoid of wheel caps! The Tiago EV in its base trim also settles for unpainted door handles and ORVMs and also gets body-mounted side turn indicators.
Specifications
The MG Comet EV uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor that generates 42ps of peak power and 110Nm of peak torque. The MG Comet EV pairs this with a 17.3kWh battery pack. While the performance figures are still unclear, with a curb weight of just 815kg and ample electric torque, the MG Comet EV can be expected to be quick in its propulsion. Reports suggest a top speed of around 100 kmph. The EV also gets a Sport Mode to spice things up for short bursts. The MG Comet EV gets 12-inch steel wheels shod with 145 cross-section tires and gets front disc brake only. It is also equipped with three levels of EV Region Braking.
Tata Tiago EV also uses a Permanent magnet synchronous motor, however, makes it around 62ps of peak power and 110Nm of peak torque. The Tiago EV pairs the motor with a 19.2kWh battery pack. The Tiago EV offers two drive modes, City and Sport, and is claimed to accelerate from zero to 60 kmph in just 6.2 seconds. The Tata Tiago EV also boasts of a top speed of 120 kmph. The Tiago EV rides on massive 14-inch steel wheels shod with thick 175-section rubber. Like other cars in the segment, the Tiago EV also sticks to a conventional disc and drum front and rear setup. The Tiago EV is equipped with multi-level regenerative braking which helps in replenishing the energy lost during driving in city traffic.
range and charging
MG Comet EV claims to offer a range of 230 km on a single charge. The Comet EV will get a bundled 3.3kW charger that boosts it from zero to 100 per cent in 7 hours. The Tata Tiago EV is claimed to have a range of 250 km. The Tiago EV can be charged from 10 to 100 percent in about 7 hours via a 15A home socket. However, the Tiago EV one-ups the Comet EV as it supports DC fast charging. Through this mode, Tiago EV can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just 58 minutes.
Both the battery packs are IP67 weatherproof certified.
Features and Security
Price-conscious buyers in India look for features in their vehicles and the MG Comet EV has covered this base well. MG Comet EV features LED lighting, an illuminated MG logo, 10.25-inch fully digital MID, 10.25-inch central infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Keyless Go with Smart Key system, power windows, manual AC, 2 speakers, charging socket, as well as connected car tech.
The Tiago EV in its base XE trim will disappoint buyers looking to make a statement with style and features. This EV misses out on LED lighting, DRLs, wheel covers, fog lamps, leather upholstery, push-button start/stop, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, cooled glovebox and even a touchscreen infotainment system. The higher variants of the Tiago EV offer these features and then some. That said, even the base XE trim of the Tiago gets features like automatic climate control, tilt adjustable, rear parking sensors, digital instrument cluster, TPMS and connected car features.
Both the vehicles offer dual airbags, ABS + EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts etc. as standard. The ICE-powered Tiago has been GNCAP tested and has scored 4 stars overall.
MG Comet EV vs Tata Tiago EV: Verdict
MG India doing well on the back of JD Power Customer Service Index, to provide the best service experience to its customers. The MG Comet EV is also the company’s second offering in the EV space after the MG ZS EV crossover EV. While the MG ZS EV has been reliable and complaint-free for the most part, MG Motors India is still a relatively new brand in the country. The MG Comet EV is also a bold product and its quirky styling is likely to be received with divided opinions. That said, MG has fleshed out the Comet EV well and its youthful appeal could win over buyers as well.
Tata’s Tiago EV, on the other hand, is an easy recommendation, especially because of the Ziptron electric powertrain which is easily the most popular electric powertrain in the country. Tata’s other EVs have also been relatively trouble-free and its service center network is deeper than MG’s. The base variant of the Tiago EV only gets basic features. The Tiago EV in its base trim level lacks feel-good features which may compel buyers to consider higher trim levels or look elsewhere. However, the Tiago EV remains a value-for-money offering considering its performance, space and charging speed.
