MG Windsor EV Pros & Cons

Check out pros and cons about the MG Windsor EV that are worth highlighting for a potential buyer. Here are some of the highlights of the benefits of buying the MG Windsor EV. We'll also list out the Windsor EV drawbacks to help you make an informed buying decision.

Windsor EV Advantanges

• Only ~15% Deviation From Claimed Range

  In our long-term usage of an MG EV, we have noticed that with a slightly conservative driving style and Eco mode, you can easily achieve the claimed range figure. Unlike other EVs in the price range, the Windsor EV too can easily achieve the advertised range figure if you engage it in the Eco+ mode and drive it in a relaxed manner.

  However, even if you’re not too fond of the lazy Eco+ mode, then the Normal driving mode with Normal regen mode will still deliver you up to 280km of range, which is only about 15% less than the claimed figure. Tata’s own revised claimed range figures for their EVs are up to 40% less than their initial advertised range estimates.

• Unique Aerodynamic Styling

  The Windsor’s aerodynamic front end styling with an MPV like rear end is something unique in a sea of faux SUVs in the C-segment. The Windsor EV has an unapologetic crossover design and isn’t trying to come across as a butch and boxy SUV. That’s like a breath of fresh air in a space, which was crowded all along and is getting stuffy by the day.

• It’s Huge And Has Great Road Presence

  The Windsor is huge and you will have to see it to believe it. It’s as big as a Creta and as wide as the Innova Hycross. Because of its proportions, it doesn’t appear big in pictures but when you see it, you’ll realise that the Windsor has an amazing road presence.

  Moreover, its small-ish hood area, enormous wheelbase and an EV-specific skateboard platform makes the cabin space larger than what we’ve come to expect from an SUV of this size. Even with the front seat set for a 6-footer’s comfortable position, there’s more than enough space for another 6-footer to relax in the back.

  The Windsor also has a huge boot space (604 litres for lower variants and 584 litres for the top variant with a subwoofer). The Curvv, with its 500 litres of cargo volume is the 2nd best in teh C-SUV space

• Proper Reclining Rear Seats — In A 2-Row Car

  While we get reclining 2nd row seats in some 3-row cars, it’s rare in 2-row cars. Even if a 2-row car gets this feature, it’s usually a 2- or 3-step recline, where the first position is pretty much upright and the 2nd position is where you’ll keep it for a comfortable ride.

  The Windsor gets 2nd row recline of up to 135 degrees, which is enormous and almost similar to what you get in the front rows of some cars. This, along with plush interiors, spacious cabin and a noiseless EV powertrain make it a fantastic car to chauffeur around in the city

• Elevates Your Cabin Experience

  The Windsor top model’s huge, crease-free glass roof with soothing multi-colour ambient lighting further elevates the car’s cabin experience to a whole new level. The next, most affordable car with this feature costs around Rs. 45.0 lakh (ex-showroom).

  Since the roof is fixed and doesn’t open, it’s also safe for your kids. Now, there’s no reason to unbuckle for the kids while the car is moving like the kids of some immature people.

• Loaded Base Variant

  Surprisingly, even the base variant is quite well loaded for a car costing Rs. 13.50 lakh. Even some petrol cars of this size costing Rs. 13.50 lakh offer fewer features.

  In the Windsor base model, you get features like cruise control, power mirrors, 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, steering-mounted controls, auto AC, e-parking brake with auto hold, TPMS, front armrest, split rear seats, LED headlamps and tail lamps, rear AC vents, tilt and telescopic steering, flush door handles and cruise control.

  For its asking price, the base variant feels almost complete and perfectly usable even for long-term ownership.

• Shock Pricing Of Rs. 9.99 Lakh (With BaaS)

  With the revolutionary battery subscription model, the Windsor makes it cheaper to not only own and run an EV but also to buy an EV.  The Rs. 9.99 lakh launch price is a shocker. Even if you look at the full price of Rs. 13.50 including battery cost, the Windsor still manages to shatter the myths that EVs are expensive to buy upfront.

  The BaaS model clearly proves that it’s far cheaper to buy and run the MG Windsor, at least if you have home charging. Because of the varying pricing for public charging and the potential for future price hikes to bring it on par with petrol/diesel, it’s difficult to say how much cheaper it’ll turn out to be in the long run.

Windsor EV Disadvantanges

• Quirky Personality

  There’s no denying that the MG Windsor has a quirky personality. It starts with the exterior styling, which makes it look like a blend of MPV and hatchback. But, in person, it comes across like nothing you have seen before. Unlike the MPVs of comparable size, which have somewhat cramped 3-row seating, the Windsor has spacious only 2-row seating. Unlike a hatchback, which are generally smaller, measuring under 4 metres, the Windsor is big and as wide as an Innova Hycross.

  Then, there’s the electric powertrain. Although it's fairly easy to drive and get used to, it’s probably going to be a new experience as the Windsor will be the first experience with an EV for most buyers.

  Then, there’s the interface and controls, which are as unique as they come. While MG have provided physical controls for the auto AC just for the Indian market, most of the controls including those for the glass roof curtain, headlamps and power mirrors remain touch-operated. The interface of the touchscreen will probably make you pull your hair out if you don’t have an MG representative to guide you through the settings.

  Even the column mounted e-shifter is a new experience.

  Therefore, this is not a car, which you can share easily with your friends and family. You’ll have to also explain how to operate some of these settings, which require a sharp learning curve for someone unfamiliar with the interface.

• Lack Of Physical Controls

  Quirks aside, the lack of physical controls for features such as power mirrors, drive and regen modes, headlamps and roof curtain will require some digging and getting used to. We wish it had physical controls for these features as well. The fact that MG are offering physical controls for the auto AC just for the Indian market suggests that they are listening to us. So, we can remain hopeful and expect at least some of these issues to be addressed in future updates.

  However, if you’re thinking of buying the car, rest assured that the MG representative will explain the functionality briefly before you test drive the car. A detailed set of instructions will follow when you are taking the delivery of your Windsor EV.

• PM 2.5 Cabin Filter Only In Top Variant

  It’s surprising to see that MG’s product team chose to offer the PM 2.5 cabin filter only in the top variant of the Windsor. If you don’t know, it’s a cheap Rs. 500 part, which cleans the cabin air and removes particles from the air as small as 2.5 microns (2,500 nanometre). It’s also something that requires replacement every 10,000-20,000km. That means recurring payment for MG and their dealerships. So, making it part of standard equipment would be a win-win for MG as well as their customers.

  This might come as a shock to you that they already offer it with even the base model of their most affordable car — the Comet EV. So, reserving it for the top variant is just as difficult to justify as it’s to comprehend.