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.

• First Year Unlimited Free Public Charging

  For the first time ever, we have seen a carmaker sell their car with the option of free fuel for the first year with no conditions whatsoever. At the drive event, we kept pestering MG officials to spill the beans on what’s the catch behind the free public charging and they continued to claim that there’s none. It is, indeed, unlimited free public charging. This also gives buyers enough time to figure out a cheaper domestic charging solution if they don’t already have one at the time of purchase.

  We believe the underlying logic behind this move is that MG truly want you to experience their EVs and the charging infrastructure and they're willing to pay for that. So, instead of spending on marketing, they want the buyers to become their brand ambassadors. It’s a risky, and potentially expensive move, but we’re happy to say that this is, first and foremost, a customer-centric decision, which will bring long-term benefits for MG in India.

• Unlimited KM, Lifetime Battery Warranty

  After shattering the myth that EVs are expensive to buy and allowing customers to experience the ever-widening charging infrastructure by offering free public charging, MG also intend to prove the naysayers wrong by offering a first-of-its-kind, unlimited kilometre, lifetime warranty on the battery. This is another decision, which proves that MG are in it for the long run and aren’t interested in making a quick buck and pack up if things get rough.

  It not only takes a lot of courage to make such a risky announcement, it also takes a tremendous level of confidence in one’s own technology to go out and offer unlimited kilometre warranty on their battery. On the launch day, they made one after another announcements, which not only caught the media, dealers and buyers off-guard, but also left their competition flabbergasted.

• India-Exclusive Physical AC Controls

  Another welcome decision in the Windsor’s bouquet is the inclusion of physical AC controls. These are exclusively available in the Indian version of the car since in the international market, it doesn’t get physical controls for the auto AC. This decision further solidifies the fact that MG are committed to the Indian market and are not only listening to the customers but are also willing to quickly adapt to accommodate our demands.

• MG’s Phenomenal Customer Service, Support & Sales Experience

  If the last 4 points weren’t enough to give you the confidence needed to go ahead and buy from this new brand, then this one should be enough to push you over the fence. Based on first-hand experience of MG car owners after a long-term ownership, we can safely confirm that MG go above and beyond to achieve the highest customer satisfaction. When they notice that the customer is genuinely facing a problem because of a decision from MG, the representatives are very flexible and accommodating to customer needs. Even in some situations, where most other carmakers and their dealerships would find justifiable ways to leave the customer hanging, MG appear to go out of their way to make sure the customer gets an experience they probably wouldn’t even expect from a luxury car brand.

  Moreover, the experience is consistent across various channels, including their sales and service outlets. And, unlike luxury brands that charge a pretty premium for the wholesome experience, MG keep their service and maintenance costs reasonable and below industry standards.

• SUV-Like Ground Clearance

  Initially, in the teasers, MG were calling the Windsor a crossover, but we weren’t convinced. The proportions hinted that it would appear more like a mix of hatchback and MPV. Moreover, to earn the crossover badge, it’d need a more practical ground clearance of at least 180mm.

  While V3Cars knew it beforehand from our sources, on the launch day, MG confirmed that the Windsor had 186mm ground clearance. After this, we had no choice but to accept that the Windsor deserved the crossover badge, if not that of an SUV, even though it didn't have the boxy SUV-like design. This further carries into the driving position, which is higher than most other non-SUV cars and certainly similar to what you get in a typical, similarly-sized, C-segment SUV.

• Great All-Around Visibility & Easy To Drive

  The large window area, high ground clearance along with features like crawl, regen braking and meaty bottom and mid-range torque from the electric motor, make the Windsor an extremely easy car to drive even for newbies.

• Fantastic Touchpoint Quality

  The touchpoint quality of the Windsor, such as opening and closing of doors, door latches, handles, boot lid, upholstery, switchgear, steering and controls and the dashboard give the vibe that this thing is made to last. The car feels well put-together and strong without feeling intimidating.

• Reliable Chinese R&D

  You’re most likely stuck in a past long gone if you think of “reliable Chinese product” as an oxymoron. Not only has Chinese manufacturing come a long way, even their R&D capabilities have not only surpassed Indian standards but are achieving western benchmarks. In fact, because of their government’s decision to move aggressively towards green mobility, the technology, expertise and reliability of Chinese electric vehicles now far exceeds that of their western counterparts.

  The Chinese are now so far ahead, that the western countries, which have trumpeted their free trade and low import tax narratives for far too long are changing tone to impose the heaviest taxes on Chinese EVs — just to protect their fragile and crumbling auto sector. Not expecting efficient and competitive business practices is what landed them in this pickle in the first place. And now, shielding them with high tax walls not only costs the consumers but also leaves the auto industry more vulnerable to a collapse as they have an incentive to continue to remain lazy and squeeze the buyers for every last penny.

  To sum up this point, you are getting the best in the world for a nominal cost.

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.

• BaaS Will Make You Wish You Paid Attention In Math Class

  Battery as a service (BaaS) is not only a new concept, but a complex one for most buyers to comprehend. While most carmakers are trying to make their products more and more emotional so that they trigger an impulsive purchase, the Windsor’s BaaS model has the exact opposite effect on potential buyers. It forces you to pull out you calculator and justify buying the car.

  Once you run through the math, you’ll probably find that it makes tremendous sense to choose BaaS for many buyers. But, for most buyers, coming to that conclusion will take a lot of effort. Especially if you didn't pay enough attention in the math class.

• Mid Variant Skips Seat Ventilation But Gets Leather Upholstery

  The hot and humid climate of the Indian subcontinent makes the seat ventilation an important feature. It’s doubly important if you have upholstery of the non-breathable kind like leather or leatherette. Thus, it’s difficult to justify the addition of leather upholstery in the mid variant, which misses out on the ventilation features. Some carmakers have begun offering front seat ventilation in variants, which offer faux leather upholstery.

• A Bit Too Much Greenhouse For The Hot Indian Climate

  Unlike SUVs, which have a big glass-to-body ratio and offer poor visibility all-around, the Windsor has big windows. But that also comes at a cost. Being an EV, the Windsor will naturally be sensitive to power consumption and having to use too much AC will certainly impact the car’s real-world range.

  Add to that the enormous glass roof, and you have yourself a solar cooker. In the hot climate like we have in India, it makes absolutely no sense to have so much greenhouse in a car promoting green mobility and one that’s forcing people to think logically.

  It’s either a gross oversight as it creates an obvious conflict in the buyers’ minds or a masterstroke as the glass roof is an emotional feature. So, the emotional bunch will move towards the purchase because of the big glass roof while the logical buyers can be convinced with the value the car offers. Or, it could end up having the exact opposite effect. Where the logical buyer rejects it because of the inefficiencies created by the large roof while the emotional buyers end up confused by BaaS and choose a petrol SUV instead.

• 18-inch Wheels Are Big; May Be Too Big

  Just like the last point, the big alloy wheels add to that confusion among buyers. The logical buyer will see that as a waste of energy since it takes a lot more current to move big pieces of rotating mass. The emotional buyers might like it but, once again, get too tangled up in the equations to justify the decision to buy the Windsor to themselves.

  Perhaps, choosing to offer smaller, 16-inch wheels in lower trims and 17-inch alloys in the higher variants would have been a more efficient option and create much less confusion among the logical set of buyers.

• Misleading Boot Space Figure; No Spare Wheel

  It sounds so cool to say that the Windsor has more than 600 litres of boot space while the 2nd best C-segment SUV has only 500 litres of cargo volume. But, we’re fairly certain that this boot space is measured all the way up to the roof, which is quite impractical as it blocks the rear view mirror. Moreover, it’s also very likely that this figure is achievable because the Windsor doesn’t get a spare wheel. That empty well in the boot also adds up to the cargo volume while allowing MG to cut costs. So, it’s not fair to say that the Windsor has more than 100 litres of additional boot space against the Curvv’s 500 litres.

• Missing Some Features Even In Top Variant

  In a car, which pampers its occupants and the driver, we find it strange that it misses out on features like rear window sunshades, rear parcel tray and front parking sensors. We say it with Tata cars and we’ll say it for the Windsor as well: if the Sonet can offer front parking sensors and rear window shades in the affordable-as-peanuts HTK variant, then the Windsor at Rs. 15.50 lakh should have offered it too.

• Reminders Of Some Missing Features

  Firstly, you see the black plate in the lower part of the front bumper. This area houses the radar in the higher trims of the Windsor’s international versions. To keep the pricing competitive, MG chose to not offer this feature in India.

  Secondly, you notice a small kink in the rear spoiler, which just has a small plug to cover it up. It too is probably for a feature, which is available in international markets but we don’t get it. Finally, inside, there’s a dummy button where you’d expect to see the switch to control the glass roof curtain. These things remind us that we were supposed to get some features, which we’re not getting.

• Chinese Affiliation Will Turn Some Buyers Off

  Even with a majority Indian stake in MG India (51% Indian ownership), being a rebadged Chinese product may turn some people off who have been brainwashed with anti-China rhetoric and fail to see the big picture. China has had the foresight to go after electric vehicles long before the western countries. They have had the subsidies and suitable policies in place to promote green mobility, which has given them a leg up in the race to make EVs.

  Their EVs are starting to enter the 3rd generation while we’re stuck with first-gen EVs in India with monopolistic prices. Hence, the Chinese market has reliable and advanced EV technology, which is at least a decade ahead of all other auto manufacturers (except perhaps Tesla).

  Since they are choosing to make the cars in India, we should be glad that they’re turning the heat on the competition and forcing them to innovate and price their products competitively. Instead, many narrow-minded buyers are choosing to side with blind nationalism and not demanding reliable cars at reasonable prices. It’s only when their vehicle breaks down that they realise what they have done. But, by then, they have already established their loyalty for certain brands and they can’t shake it off without a severe blow to their dignity in their social circle. And thus, the cycle repeats itself while the consumer continues to suffer.

  While the key is to think big and global, our societal norms make it difficult to think of the world as one and we end up limiting our priorities to narrow, domestic agendas. It’ll take far more than reading an article and is beyond our capabilities. End of the day, the fact remains that many buyers will reject it before even trying it out just because the Windsor’s seeds were sown in China.