Photographs by Siddharth Dadhe
Now, MG has branded this vehicle as a CUV, though I’m still not entirely certain what the ‘C’ stands for. However, from what I’ve gathered, MG is aiming to carve out a new niche for itself, calling this model a ‘Crossover Utility Vehicle.’ It’s an interesting label, but when you take a look at the Windsor, the crossover elements are clear in its design and stance. The vehicle’s profile, with its sleek lines and subtle ruggedness, gives it that halfway point between an SUV and a hatchback—a true crossover in every sense.
From the moment I saw the Windsor, it became apparent that they was aiming for a bold new direction. The vehicle’s styling for more of an urban terrain with the practicality of a larger utility vehicle. It’s clearly trying to stand apart from the crowded crossover market, offering something fresh. Whether it succeeds in establishing its own category remains to be seen, but it certainly makes a compelling first impression.
Starting with the drive. We ventured out to the outskirts of Gurgaon, a rapidly evolving cyber city with glass towers and futuristic infrastructure. In this setting, the car feels right at home. In fact, if you were to ask someone to sketch a car of the future, there’s a good chance they’d come up with something resembling Windsor’s design. It’s the sort of vehicle that looks like it could be self-driving, with just one thing missing—a steering wheel. Take that away, and you’ve got a car straight out of a sci-fi movie. But for now, behind the wheel, you get to enjoy the drive.
The car’s shape is unconventional, almost resembling a sleek box with smooth, rounded edges. While that description might sound plain, the benefits of its boxy design become clear the moment you step inside. The squarish shape translates to an impressive amount of interior volume, offering generous space for both passengers and cargo. From the side profile, Windsor’s design starts to show more character. The wheels are pushed all the way out to the corners, giving it a commanding stance on the road and enhancing stability. In fact, it almost has a similar wheelbase as a Toyota Innova, which further explains the surprising amount of room inside. It’s the sort of car where passengers can truly stretch out and enjoy long drives without feeling cramped.
As you move toward the rear, the futuristic appeal is elevated even further. A sleek light bar stretches across the back, adding to the car’s sci-fi aesthetic. It’s the kind of design cue that wouldn’t look out of place in a blockbuster film set decades from now. At first glance, the Windsor could easily be mistaken for a prop pulled straight from a futuristic concept, yet here it is, rolling through the streets of Gurgaon.
The EV gives away its electric identity with subtle yet telling details. Most obvious is the ‘Windsor EV’ badging on the rear, making it clear that this isn’t your typical SUV. Another detail is the illuminated MG logo at the front, which lights up when the car is charging or when the headlights come on at night, adding a cool techy vibe to the Windsor. One of the standout design features is the sweeping glass roofline that seamlessly flows into a panoramic sunroof. This allows plenty of natural light to flood the cabin, making the interior feel even more spacious and airy.
The cabin—a place where they have truly pulled out all the stops. The first thing that grabs your attention is the massive 15.6-inch digital infotainment cluster, which dominates the dashboard. To put its size into perspective, I compared it to my 15-inch MacBook Air, and believe it or not, the Windsor’s screen was larger. This digital cluster isn’t just for show—it offers a wide range of functionality. They have cleverly moved many of the vehicle’s controls to this touchscreen display. Want to adjust the ORVMs? You’ll need to do it through the screen. Need to open the sunroof blinds? That’s another function accessed through the display. While it may take some getting used to, this consolidation of controls into the digital interface gives the cabin a clean, minimalist look.
But it’s not just about controls—they has packed this infotainment system with a host of tech features and apps. For instance, the car comes with a one-year free subscription to the JioSaavn app, so you’ve got your music streaming needs covered right from the start. On top of that, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated, ensuring seamless smartphone connectivity no matter what device you use.
To use the touchscreen display, however, it could benefit from a bit more processing power. While it’s functional, it does feel a little laggy and not as responsive as you’d expect from a modern smartphone screen. A software update or a bump in processing speed could go a long way in improving the user experience. That said, it still performs well in terms of functionality, especially when you’re using the 360-degree camera. The large display offers a clear, enlarged view, making parking or navigating tight spaces much easier. Additionally, the built-in App Store lets you download apps from the Jio store, including JioTV and Jio games, which can come in handy when you’re parked and charging the car.
I’ve already mentioned that the Windsor’s cabin is spacious, thanks to its rounded yet boxy design. They has made full use of that space by adding seats that feel more like sofas—and I’m not exaggerating. One glance at the upholstery, and you’d think it was lifted straight from a leather couch in a lounge. While this adds to Windsor’s inviting and plush vibe, the seats are on the firmer side, and they don’t offer much lateral support. Thankfully, the front seats are electronically adjustable, and with a bit of tweaking, you can find a comfortable driving position. While it’s not quite like sinking into a cushy recliner, it’s still a reasonably comfortable experience for long drives.
Moving to the rear seats, there’s a lot on offer. For starters, you get reclining seats with a clever trick up the Windsor’s sleeve. The seats feature a 135° multi-step reclining function, or as MG likes to call it, “Aero Launch Mode.” This allows you to fully recline and relax in the back seat, provided no one is occupying the front passenger seat. It’s a nice touch for those who prioritise comfort on long drives.
For the audio experience, they have equipped Windsor with a nine-speaker sound system, which delivers rich, immersive audio quality. As the car is an EV, the quiet cabin allows the sound system to really shine, making it easy to enjoy your favourite tunes without distractions from engine noise.
The rear seats also have a practical 60:40 folding mechanism, expanding the already generous 604 litres of boot space—massive for a vehicle of this size. This makes the Windsor incredibly versatile for both passengers and cargo. Additionally, an electronic tailgate adds to the convenience, making it easy to access the rear without any hassle.
Opening the bonnet, you won’t find much under the hood—just the battery, washer fluid bottle, and not much else, as the bonnet itself is quite compact. The real powerhouse here is the 134 bhp electric motor that delivers 20.39 kgm of torque. This translates to plenty of punch for city commutes and enough muscle for short highway stretches. Being an EV, the acceleration is instantaneous—just tap the throttle, and you’re off, enjoying that seamless electric surge. The Windsor also offers three driving modes: Eco, Sport, and Normal. While the differences between them aren’t drastic, each mode provides a tailored experience based on your driving needs.
Onto the battery pack. The Windsor is equipped with a 38 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, similar to the one found in its sibling, the MG ZS EV. This battery is adequate for the Windsor, offering a claimed range of 331 km. During our test drive, we started with 99 per cent charge, showing an estimated range of 316 km. By the time we returned the car, it had 54 per cent charge remaining, with about 154 km of range left—this was with the AC blasting to combat the hot Gurgaon weather. While the battery is well-calibrated, a little extra range would be welcome, especially in real-world conditions. Nonetheless, the Windsor performs admirably even with the AC running at full tilt.
Driving the MG Windsor. Like most EVs, the driving experience is straightforward: tap the accelerator, and you get an immediate surge of power. However, beyond the acceleration, there’s not much excitement—which is expected given its crossover body style. The ride and handling are decent, with the low placement of the battery pack improving cornering and highway stability. The large 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels also contribute to its impressive road grip, especially at higher speeds.
Passenger comfort is a highlight, especially for those in the back. The Windsor’s suspension soaks up most road imperfections, making for a smooth ride. While driving through the well-paved roads of Gurgaon, we took a detour onto a gravel path to test its off-road capability. The car performed surprisingly well, with the instant electric torque causing some cheeky wheel spins and slides—perfect for some dramatic photo moments.
On the safety front, MG has equipped the Windsor with Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. While it hasn’t been crash-tested yet under Euro NCAP or Bharat NCAP, the safety package looks promising for its segment.
The MG Windsor: Priced at Rs. 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom), it’s a great value for a mid-sized electric vehicle, but the battery subscription model is a bit tricky. You’ll need to choose from plans that typically cost Rs. 3.5 per kilometre, with some lenders offering a minimum of 1,500 km per month. Others offer no minimum, but you’ll need to crunch the numbers to find the best plan for your driving habits.
If you’re driving over 2,000 km a month, the subscription model might make sense as it lets you avoid the upfront battery cost. One key question is: what happens if you miss a battery payment? MG clarified that if you default, the entire car will be repossessed, though you’ll be compensated for the vehicle’s value. This EV is an impressive offering. There were a few software glitches in the pre-production model, but MG assured us that updates would resolve these issues. The build quality is solid, and the car offers great space and value. It’s a strong contender for anyone looking for a mid-sized EV.
