Urban Mobility Champion ft. MG Comet EV

Cars can be segregated into a variety of types, one can choose a humble hatch or even a sedan, and then there is the big butch SUV to opt for. But then most of the time you will probably toil around city traffic alone or maybe with a couple of friends jostling to find a large enough space to park in. Now MG has decided to address these specific problems which arise in the city with the MG Comet EV.
While looks are a subjective matter, there is little to deny that the Comet is unique in appearance. It mixes boxy proportions with sculpted cues for a very attractive design which is unlike anything else on the roads.

Speaking of design, there are a number of very premium details on this car which just alleviate the overall ownership experience. The nose carries a Horizon-connected LED daytime running strip while the MG logo below it is placed on the charging flap, which too gets LED illumination. The front gets the maximum number of aerodynamically shaped surfaces compared to the rest of the body, and also gets very premium-looking LED headlamps. Over to the sides, the sub-3m length of the Comet becomes much more apparent. This car could’ve been made bigger, but this is on purpose.

What the designers have done is space out the wheels to the very corners thereby liberating an incredible amount of cabin space. But more on this later. The car gets just two doors, which are massive by the way to allow easy access to both the front and rear sections. There is a lot of glass area in the Comet, letting in a lot of light inside the cabin. The style statement continues to the rear end which is upright and gets a connected LED strip and LED tail lamps. There is no denying the fact that the Comet is a certified head-turner on the roads with its quirky and cute look.

While the proportions are tiny, the cabin feels spacious. This is because MG has used a born electric platform for the Comet, which gives it a flat floor with the wheels placed at the very corners as mentioned earlier. Coupled with the long wheelbase and large glass area, the MG Comet is a spacious place to be in rarely does one feel cramped inside.

Now the first thing one notices inside the cabin is just how premium it is. MG has used very high-quality plastics and soft-touch fabric for the dashboard and the door trims, as well as the leather on the steering which give the cabin a very premium feel. The cabin is nearly buttonless, and the ones found on the steering wheel, AC controls and the drive mode controller are of high quality.

The Comet is a tech-laden car which comes with twin 10.25-inch displays - one for the driver and one for the infotainment. The driver’s display is high resolution and displays data in a clean clutter less layout. But our favourite part is the miniature MG Comet in the centre of the display which accurately mimics the use of the doors, tailgate, headlamps, taillamps and indicators of the Comet as you drive along. The 10.25-inch infotainment display too is hi-res and comes with a very intuitive layout which can be customised to display whatever app or widget the driver prefers to be on the home screen. The display also comes enabled with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabling seamless smartphone integration to use navigation, listen to music or make calls. Storage too has been thought of by the designers at MG. First and foremost, the cupholders are cleverly positioned right in front of the AC vents which keep your beverage cool in the summer. The door pockets take advantage of the size of the door and provide ample storage for bottles and other objects. There is no glove box, but a nifty shelf has been provided to hold small objects. While the Comet’s size may deceive you into thinking that this is a strict two-seater, but pull the seats forward to access the rear seats and the space is ample to seat two adults easily. There is some space behind the rear seats too, which constitutes the boot. However, the unit is a bit small and to increase boot space, one has to sacrifice the use of the rear seat.

One of the best parts about driving the Comet is just how easy and comfortable it is to drive. This is courtesy of the extremely light steering which just makes life easy whether it be driving in crowded areas, narrow streets, or just your daily commute to the workplace. Getting stuck in traffic with the Comet is much less of a stressor than in other cars. This is because of the car’s diminutive dimensions which allow it to fit into spaces where nothing else can. Secondly, the view from the driver’s seat allows one to judge tight spaces much more easily. The light steering coupled with the fact that the Comet is tiny means that this is a car that can make U-turns where nothing else can. All these traits also result in the Comet being the easiest car to park. So next time you are planning to head shopping, fret not as in a Comet finding and fitting into tight parking spots is hassle-free. The only downside then is the fact that thanks to the small wheels, one has to take on speed humps and really bad patches with a bit of caution.

On paper, the 42bhp electric motor may not seem like a lot, but it is perfect for the Comet. Making overtakes in the city isn’t complicated at all, with the car eager to gain speed whenever the accelerator is depressed, irrespective of speed or driving mode. A trait of the powertrain which impresses us is just how refined it is. The power delivery is very natural, there is no jerk as you accelerate from a standstill as is often associated with EVs and the power band just has a very relaxed manner about it, making the Comet one of the most comfortable cars to drive around town. Driving around in the city, especially during a hot summer day meant that we did put a significant load on the battery, which isn’t the biggest of the lot at just 17.3kWh. But the Comet’s real-world range is commendable and the distance to empty indicator is quite accurate. However, MG has only made the Comet compatible with the portable 3.3kW charger, which means a full charge takes almost 6 hours. We wish the Comet could get a fast charging option as well which would allow owners a quick top-up option at public charging stations.

After experiencing the MG Comet in crowded areas of the city, one thing is clear that this tiny car makes a huge impact not just on one’s carbon footprint but also in the ease with which it allows one to commute in urban spaces without having the need to forego any of the benefits that come with a normal sized car. So if you are in the market looking for a second or a third car, strictly for the commutes in the urban jungle, then look no further than the MG Comet.