The MG Comet is the smallest car we have had in our long-term test fleet yet and that is saying something because we have been publishing this monthly magazine for almost 20 years now.
Like its namesake, this one is just as rare. After the first drive in New Delhi in 2023, I kept a sharp lookout for Comets on the road but had more luck spotting supercars. That seems to have changed now, because, over the past couple of months, Pune seems to be warming up to the idea of a small electric car.
It has been a month since I switched from a two-wheeler to the Comet for my daily commute and the results are surprising. A motorcycle/scooter continues to be the fastest way to navigate through Pune’s traffic congestion but the Comet is only a few minutes behind. While there are many things to talk about this compact car, my current favourite is its size. If there is enough space for two motorcycles, there is enough for the Comet too. Life has become easier in terms of parking as well. Parking slots that just about accommodate one car can take two Comets. A thought so amusing that I might actually try it soon.
On cold winter mornings and hot afternoons, life is a lot easier in a Comet than on a two-wheeler but it is not just an upgrade from two wheels. When compared to any other car, the Comet is faster at filtering through traffic and that may get car-owners thinking too. Since MG have considerably reduced the price, some of them may be on the way to book one. More interesting updates coming your way soon.
Edit: 30-05-2024
Driven: 2,050 kilometres
Like: Range accuracy
Dislike: Glitchy electronics
Pune’s citizens make it difficult for us to forget that the MG Comet was launched nearly a year ago. Every now and then, we have someone tapping at the window in excitement, asking about the car and how it is to live with on a daily basis. Similar reactions have come from friends and acquaintances also and the last we heard, a few of them were headed towards a dealership to book one. The interesting bit is that most of them already have a primary car and they are considering this one as a runabout in town.
It is nothing short of epic in town because there are some things that an electric vehicle (EV) does better and most of them are relevant for driving in traffic. The Comet’s acceleration is instantaneous and it gets off the mark without the slightest suggestion of a lag, which means it can make better use of tight overtaking opportunities. Of course, its size is also a major contributing factor.
What I want to highlight in this update is its range. Off a single charge, I was able to drive the car for 140-plus kilometres with 10 per cent charge still left. The air-conditioner, music system, and wireless Apple CarPlay were connected during that entire drive. Most importantly, its range calculation is fairly accurate which has taken away a lot of range-related anxiety. The company claims this car is good enough to return as much as two kilometres for every percentage of charge but in real life it holds good for 1.5 km for every percentage. Which is not too bad, if you ask me. More Comet adventures are coming soon.
Edit: 30-08-2024
Driven: 2,050 kilometres
Like: Ease of parking
Dislike: Air valve at the wheel difficult to reach
The fastest way of going across a busy city is a local train or, in recent times, the Metro. They are rapid and reliable. Buses serve their purpose well until they encounter inevitable traffic and blocks where everyone tends to move at the same pace. That is where the MG Comet excels. During rush-hour traffic, it is the quickest way to drive across town. Furthermore, as we have experienced frequently, it is also the easiest to park once you reach the destination. During our time with the Comet so far, what we like best about this runabout is the ease of movement it offers in town.
Edit: 16-11-2024
Driven: 4,774 kilometres
Like: Practicality
Dislike: Light colour fabric seats
Following a few months of use, I am confident that the Comet can fulfil a small family’s requirements but this car also has a side that most people are unaware of. Does it not have what it takes to be a modern bachelor/bachelorette’s car? Hear me out. It seats two in comfort, four when needed. Alternatively, the seats can be folded down to make room for luggage. It’s quick in traffic and unbelievably easy to park. Furthermore, one would not be far from the truth when one says that one drives a two-door, rear-wheel-drive car.
Of course, there is some resistance to this school of thought and most of it stems from the notion that a small electric car owner may not look as “attractive” as someone who drives a low-slung supercar. However, I feel the Comet’s sheer practicality negates almost every argument. If I could, I would change the colour of the seats to a darker shade. Much easier to maintain.
Edit: 30-01-2025
Driven: 5,052 kilometres
Like: Dimensions, range
Dislike: Height
Time flies when one is having fun and that was the case with the MG Comet. Before I knew it, a year had gone by and it was time to return the compact electric car to Morris Garages. There is a saying that we truly appreciate the value of something only after it is gone. The Comet’s absence was most obvious every time I drove something else. The time taken to cover the same distance in similar traffic was longer. Parking spaces that I took for granted had turned into tight squeezes and three-point turns on narrow roads were no longer easy.
With its compact dimensions and instant acceleration, the Comet had increased the pace of my daily routine to a point where commuting had never been that quick and easy. Now more than ever, I am aware of the time lost in traffic because gaps are rarely big enough for most cars but what I miss most is the ease of parking.
Although I am the same driver I was then and the traffic is also as horrible as ever, with each passing day it becomes evident that the small Comet made a big difference. There is no other car in the market today that can do what the Comet does. By introducing us to this compact car, MG have proved that there is a solution to congestion and the answer lies in reducing the size of the car without compromising on the features we need most. Would have been nice if it had an engine. I hope MG take note of this.
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