MG Comet EV vs Tata Tiago EV: price, features, specifications and more compared

MG Motors India has announced the pricing of the new MG Comet EV city-friendly electric car. The introductory prices on the MG Comet EV are a full Rs 71,000 cheaper than its closest rival, the Tata Tiago EV. The MG Comet EV is closely matched when compared to the Tata Tiago EV and both electric hatchbacks offer an ample number of features to sweeten the deal. We pitch the MG Comet EV against the base Tata Tiago XE (MR), both of which are currently the most affordable electric city cars. 

MG Comet EV vs Tata Tiago EV: price

The MG Comet EV has been launched at an introductory price of Rs 7.98 lakh (ex-showroom, pan India). The vehicle is being offered in a single trim level. Customers will get an 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. Customers will also be given a choice of adding multiple customisation options via skins and wraps and can have over 250 possible combinations. MG Motors India will commence test drives from April 27th 2023 onwards and bookings will taken from May 15th 2023 onwards. Deliveries are expected to begin in late May 2023. 

The Tata Tiago EV was launched at an introductory 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. Surprisinlgy, the base XE trim is only offered in the Pristine White paint shade while higher variants in a total of five paint shade options. 

MG Comet EV vs Tata Tiago EV

Design

Right off the bat, the MG Comet EV will be grabbing eyeballs given its unconventional styling. The MG Comet EV is a tiny car with three doors instead of five and gets an odd tall-boy styling. The compact footprint does not compromise space on the inside, and MG claims that six-footers can sit on short stints. The MG Comet EV gets unique design highlights such as an option for a dual-tone paint job, connected LED light bars on the front and rear, chrome design elements and aerodynamic wheel covers. Poppy colour options and customisation options are also sure to catch the interest of young buyers. 

The Tata Tiago EV is 795mm longer, 172mm wider, and gets a 390mm longer wheelbase. The Tiago EV is also shorter with five doors and thus looks more conventional when compared to MG Comet EV. The Tiago EV also bears a strong resemblance with its ICE-powered counterpart and thus loses out on the novelty factor of the MG Comet EV. Moreover, the Tiago EV in its base trim, which we are comparing, only gets a single 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 which generates 42ps of peak power and 110Nm of peak torque. The MG Comet EV pairs this with a 17.3kWh battery pack. While performance figures are still unclear, with a kerb weight of just 815kg and ample electric torque, the MG Comet EV can be expected to be spritely in its propulsion. Reports suggest a top speed of about 100kmph. The EV also gets a Sport mode to spice things up for short bursts. The MG Comet EV gets 12-inch steel wheels with 145 cross-section tyres and gets front disc brakes only. This EV is also equipped with three levels of regen braking. 

The Tata Tiago EV also uses a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, however, this one makes about 62ps of peak power and 110Nm of peak torque. The Tiago EV pairs the motor with a 19.2kWh battery pack. The Tiago EV gets two drive modes, City and Sport, and claims to do the zero to 60kmph dash in just 6.2 seconds. The Tata Tiago EV also boasts a higher top speed of 120kmph. The Tiago EV is equipped with larger 14-inch steel wheels with thicker 175-section rubber. Much 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 comes in handy for recouping lost energy whilst driving in city traffic. 

Range and charging

The MG Comet EV claims to deliver 230km of range on a single charge. The Comet EV will get a bundled 3.3kW charger which juices it up from zero to 100 percent in 7 hours. The Tata Tiago EV gets a claimed 250km of range. The Tiago EV can be charged from 10 to 100 percent via a 15A home socket in about 7 hours as well. However, the Tiago EV one-ups the Comet EV as it supports DC fast charging. Via this mode, the Tiago EV can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just 58 minutes. 

Both battery packs are IP67 weatherproof certified.

Features and safety

Value-conscious buyers in India look for features in their vehicles and the MG Comet EV has this ground well covered. The MG Comet EV gets LED lighting, an illuminated MG logo, a 10.25-inch fully digital MID, a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless go with a smart key system, power windows, manual AC, 2 speakers, charging sockets, as well as connected car tech. 

The Tiago EV in its base XE trim will disappoint buyers who are 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 the touchscreen infotainment system. Higher variants of the Tiago EV offer these features and then some. That said, even the base XE trim on the Tiago gets features such as automatic climate control, tilt adjustable, rear parking sensors, digital instrument cluster, TPMS, and connected car features. 

Both 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 has been performing well on JD Power’s Customer Service Index, offering one of the best service experiences to its customers. The MG Comet EV is also the second offering from the company in the EV space after the MG ZS EV crossover EV. While the MG ZS EV has been reliable and complaint free on most parts, 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 might be received with split opinions. That said, MG has kitted out the Comet EV well and its youthful appeal might win over buyers too. 

Tata’s Tiago EV on the other hand is an easy recommendation especially because of the Ziptron electric powertrain which is easily the country’s most popular electric powertrain. Tata’s other EVs have also been relatively trouble-free and its service center network penetrates deeper than MG’s. The Tiago EV’s base variant however ends up offering just the basic features. The Tiago EV in its base trim level lacks feel-good features which could make buyers consider higher trim levels or look elsewhere. However, the Tiago EV continues to be a value-for-money offering considering its performance, space and charging speeds.