MG Windsor EV Review: Wind Of Change

Oh no, not another EV. This year we already have had almost 10! Did we need more? Well, Whatever we think, clearly does not matter.  Because MG thought the best way to move forward with its portfolio is to bring in another EV. It’s third in India. It’s named after a castle, but luxury is not its biggest USP.

MG Windsor EV Review: Battery-as-a-Service

That’s because MG has been clever and separated the cost of the car and the battery. MG is providing the battery of the Windsor as a service which means you have to pay ₹3.5 per km so you pay as you use. Depending on your finance package where you pay for 1500 km as a minimum every month or no cap at all but with a higher rate of interest. 

This amount is over and above what you’d pay to charge the car. So let’s say you drive around 2000 km every month, you’d pay ₹7,000 for the battery per month along with another ₹7,000 rupees a month to charge it. So you end up paying for three different aspects - the EMI of the car (if you take a loan on it), the battery subscription and then the charging costs. Is it complicated or the best marketing strategy for EVs? Why don't you tell us?

MG Windsor EV Review: Design & Dimensions

The Windsor looks unlike any other vehicle in the market. You could say it looks like an egg from some angles. It’s striking for sure. But pretty, not so sure. It’s different, yes, but is it an SUV or an MPV? 

The Windsor has an interesting set of dimensions. While it is almost as long as the Astor at 4295 mm, its wheelbase is just 50 mm shorter of the larger Hector. It is also wider than those two at 1850 mm but its height is shorter than the Astor and Hector too since it’s not a proper SUV. And since it’s a crossover, the ground clearance is also 19 mm lower than the Astor but 9 mm taller than the ZS EV. At 604 litres, the boot space is also much bigger than the Hector and Astor. You can fit a lot, and I really mean a lot of luggage in the Windsor. 

The design turns a few heads for sure. We spoke in detail about that in our first look video and you can watch it here. So we won’t say much but what stands out is the unconventional look. The 18-inch alloy wheels look good. You also get flush-fitting door handles to help with the aerodynamics.

But the rear of the Windsor is the most conventional-looking angle and that connected light impresses, and is a great culmination of the overall design. 

MG Windsor EV Review: Rear Seat

So the exteriors might leave you wanting, but the cabin will leave you speechless. The back seat is the comfort zone of the Windsor! The backrest reclines by up to 135 degrees, a good enough angle for you to sleep in and you know what, you can increase your comfort if you want to nap in the car. While it’s charging or on the move or just need a break during the shoot.

Once you have the front seat folded with the headrests removed, of course, you can now lounge in the back seat and be comfortable. You can even just take a nap. It’s like a seat in a castle and that’s where the name analogy hits. Oh and this large panoramic sunroof just makes the cabin feel more spacious. 

Apart from the cushioning, there’s an ample amount of legroom because of the large 2700 mm wheelbase and the flat floor. The shoulder room is decent too but the headroom could be a slight issue. There’s only one AC vent for the rear passengers with no blower controls either. That’s not ideal during days where temperatures soar. 

MG Windsor EV Review: Tech & Interior

At the front, though, the comfort levels are the same as the rear seats but you get a cooling function here. Yes, brilliant move MG. But apart from everything you see here like the wood on the dashboard, and the subtle elements like the ambient lighting, the one thing that screams for your attention is the large 15.6-inch screen. It’s the one ring to rule them all but giving headlamp controls on the screen is just plain ridiculous. 

Thankfully there are a few physical controls for the AC and there’s no dual-zone climate control. The Windsor is pretty feature-loaded honestly. But the biggest issue of the Windsor will be the fact that the touchscreen will be a bit distracting while driving. 

It also gets a floating centre console that gives it additional storage space and there are three cupholders here in an interesting layout. The centre console also has a wireless charger. But to know more about the tech it packs, head to the Acko Byte YouTube channel.

MG Windsor EV Review: Safety

MG is betting big on the safety quotient with the Windsor. There’s good use of advanced high-strength steel throughout the body and ultra-high-strength steel in crucial areas of the chassis. MG says 70 per cent of the chassis is built with high-strength steel. Along with that, it gets 6 airbags, three-point seat belts with reminders for all seats, electronic stability control, hill start assist, hill descent control, all four disc brakes as ISOFIX as standard equipment. But no ADAS! Don’t ask us for the crash test ratings, we don’t have them. 

MG Windsor EV Review: Performance

So is the Windsor a castle on wheels?

What can you expect from a single electric motor with 134 brake horsepower and 200 Nm? Not earth-shattering performance of course. But the instant torque from it makes it quick but not very quick. It will not push you back into your seat frankly. But the Sports mode on this one brings out a different side of the Windsor as the steering weighs up and that adds to the experience. In the Eco Plus mode the top speed is limited to around 85 kmph and the car feels restrained. So clearly, it's about saving energy and that's a very good thing. 

MG Windsor EV Review: Ride & Handling

The ride quality of the Windsor is pretty decent. There’s a subtle reassurance from the suspension and it does not feel bouncy at all. Given most of the weight is lower down because of the battery, the Windsor handles really well. But there is some body roll given how tall the car is. Overall, it is very comfortable. 

MG Windsor EV Review: Charging

The Windsor EV supports up to 45 kW DC fast charging which MG claims can help it charge the 38 kWh battery from 0-80 per cent in 55 minutes. The Windsor has a claimed range of 332 km (ARAI-certified) on a full charge. Also, with a 7.4 kW AC charger, it takes 6.5 hours for the Windsor’s battery to charge fully. Interestingly, MG is providing charging free for a year with the Windsor via its new e-HUB app.

MG Windsor EV Review: Price & Verdict

As we mentioned earlier, MG is offering the Windsor EV in two forms. With the battery included in the price or the battery being offered as a service. With the latter, the prices start at ₹9.99 lakh and the former the ex-showroom price of the Windsor ranges between ₹13.50 lakh and ₹15.50 lakh.

The Windsor EV rivals the likes of the Mahindra XUV400 and two of Tata Motors electric vehicles – the Nexon.ev and the new Curvv.ev. While the Nexon.ev is cheaper, the other two are more expensive than the Windsor. It is slightly fair to compare it with the XUV400 and the Curvv.ev since they have similar overall length but the Windsor’s wheelbase is much longer. And it makes more sense to get the Windsor primarily for the second row of seats.  

Photography by Apoorv Choudhary