MG Comet or Tata Tiago EV: How to choose your first electric vehicle
Delhi : The MG Comet, available with a 17.3kWh battery, is the most reasonably priced electric hatchback in India, costing between Rs 7.98 lakh and Rs 9.98 lakh. This innovative two-door, four-seater EV has been put through our instrumented tests to see how it performs in everyday driving situations. We contrast it with the Tata Tiago EV, which is similarly priced, to provide some context.
The MR version of Tata's electric hatchback has a 19.2 kWh battery priced between Rs 8.69 lakh and Rs 9.29 lakh, while the LR version has a 24 kWh battery priced between Rs 10.24 lakh and Rs 11.54 lakh.
Tata Tiago EV vs. MG Comet: design
The MG Comet, which was built on an exclusive electric platform, has an unusual mono volume, cube-like design that exudes personality because to its odd styling, bits of chrome, and beautiful LED light bars (front and rear). It is also the shortest passenger car in India. For comparison, it is 104mm taller, 172mm narrower, and 390mm shorter in wheelbase than the Tata Tiago EV. It is also 795mm shorter in length. When parked next to the avant-garde MG, the Tiago EV, despite its overall attractive appearance and traditional two-box form, seems out of date.
MG Comet vs Tata Tiago EV: interior
The inside of the Comet is best described as futuristic, simple, and inviting. Its sense of space is enhanced by the white color scheme, the huge greenhouse area, and the twin screens, which give it an upscale appearance. The entire vibe of the exquisitely constructed cabin, which features high-quality components in most locations, is quite amazing.
The room offered is a surprising, especially when you consider its modest footprint. However, comfort isn't its strong feature. The front seats have little adjustment, and because of the short squab, they aren't very supportive. The front seats fold and move forward when a lever is pulled, making it easier to access the back seat. The doors open widely.
Although the seat is low-set, forcing passengers to sit knees-up, the back bench is surprisingly roomy for two adults, with plenty of head and knee room. Although the rear windows aren't operable, the towering, aircraft-style panes lighten the space. There aren't many storage options; the glovebox isn't there, and the only thing it can hold in its tiny boot, with the third row in place, is a thin laptop bag.
The Tiago EV's interiors are impeccably constructed and exude quality. In contrast to the MG, its interior, like its exteriors, feels plain and outmoded, in large part because of its 7-inch touchscreen and its tiny digital speedometer. However, it has more comfortable seats, plus the pleasure of having a separate set of doors for the back seat passengers. Even though the seat is significantly bigger and the Tiago EV is technically a 5-seater, three adults would still fit very close to one another in the Tata, which is interestingly similar to the Comet EV in terms of knee room. The Tiago EV's cabin is significantly more functional with better-designed storage places, and with a boot capacity of 240 liters, it is also much roomier. Instead of a spare tire, each car comes supplied with a puncture repair kit.
Tata Tiago EV vs. MG Comet: features
The 10.25-inch twin-screen setup of the MG Comet, one for the infotainment system and the other for the instrument cluster, is its standout feature. The latter, which has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as a ton of linked car technology, only has two speakers and, regrettably, falls short in terms of sound quality. Additionally, the Comet has dazzling LED light bars up front and in back. Its LED headlamps are really superb, with great throw and spread. The Comet also has a hill-hold feature, which the Tiago EV lacks.
Auto headlights, automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, cruise control, a rear wiper and washer, electric folding mirrors, and an eight-speaker Harman system with sound quality years ahead of the MG are all features that the Comet EV is missing out on. The MG lacks DC quick charging, but the Tiago EV offers it. Therefore, despite the Tata's Rs 1.56 lakh higher price, the extra equipment readily justifies the premium.
Tata Tiago EV vs. MG Comet: performance
The MG Comet EV performs a convincing job as an urban runabout because to its smaller footprint, upright driving posture, superior frontal visibility, and ability to turn on a dime thanks to a turning radius of just 4.2m. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sports. Performance in Eco is dreary, while Normal and Sports are somewhat livelier. It will happily chug along with the flow of traffic. With 42hp/110Nm, its specs are at best modest. Its motor is also quite noisy. Performance in urban settings feels roughly adequate, as is to be expected. But if you ask for more, you'll end up wanting more zing. The 74hp motor in the Tata, on the other hand, seems much more responsive, and performance is perceived as being zippier and more effortless.
The Tiago EV has two driving settings: City, which restricts the motor's maximum torque to 75 percent, and Sport, which maximizes its performance. Interestingly, the Tiago EV's acceleration in City mode from 0 to 60 kilometers per hour is identical to the Comet's in Sports mode, but from that point on, the Tiago EV surges ahead by more than 6 seconds to 100 kilometers per hour. The Tiago EV outdrags the Comet from 0-60 kph and 0-100 kph by approximately 2 and 9 seconds, respectively, when in Sport mode. The Comet EV's top speed is 101 kph, compared to the Tata's 120 kph.
Both vehicles have three degrees of regenerative braking, and while neither can be driven solely with one pedal because they don't use regen to stop, the Tiago EV offers drivers the option to disable regen and let the vehicle to roll at its own pace.
Along with livelier performance, the Tiago EV also has sharper characteristics and a sportier driving style. There aren't many body movements, its relatively larger tyres flatten rough roads easier, and you don't experience body roll like you would in an MG Comet. The Comet's ride is somewhat rougher, it smashes over sharp edges, and you will have to deal with noticeable body roll even while changing lanes because of its small tires and limited travel suspension.
Tata Tiago EV vs. MG Comet: range and charging
The lightweight MG Comet EV (817kg) produced an efficiency of 11.17km/kWh in our instrumented range tests, which were conducted in their most economical mode, significantly higher than the heavier (1,150kg) Tiago EV's 7.77km/kWh. As a result, the Tata's 24kWh battery can achieve 187km on a full charge, compared to the MG's 17.3kWh battery's 193km. We must point out that the values for range and efficiency in other modes will inevitably decrease.
It's also important to remember that the MG Comet's maximum charging speed is 3.3kW, which means that using an AC fast charger to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent will take just over 3 hours, and using a 15A slow charger will take just over 4.5 hours. In contrast, the Tata Tiago EV is not only much more practical because it allows DC fast charging, but it is also better suited for sporadic long intercity travels because its battery can be fully charged from 20 to 80 percent in an hour at a public fast charger.
MG Comet vs Tata Tiago EV: verdict
A breath of new air in a market filled with traditional products is the endearing, personable MG Comet. It has a ton of appeal because it is a two-door microcar. Additionally, its cabin is quite roomy for its size and has a respectable range of 193 kilometers. Its furnishings are also well constructed.
The Tata Tiago EV, however, is essentially superior for the same price. In addition to having rear doors, it also has a larger, more useable boot and supports DC fast charging. It also drives better, is better furnished, and is much more practical. All things considered, we choose the Tata Tiago EV because of its versatility and practicality, but the quirky and cool Comet deserves your attention as a secondary urban runabout.
