Top 5 EVs of 2023: Tata Nexon EV Facelift, MG Comet, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and More
Several automakers from the luxury and mass-market segments have debuted remarkable electric cars in a range of pricing points in 2023. Here's a quick rundown of all the battery-powered passenger cars that went on sale in India this year.
By Reetika Bhatt
The adoption of electric vehicles is accelerating in the Indian market as global attention shifts to greener and more sustainable mobility alternatives. In keeping with this objective, several automakers from the luxury and mass-market segments have debuted remarkable electric cars in a range of pricing points in 2023. Notably, the Indian electric car market is witnessing a rise in the popularity of SUVs which is comparable to the growth observed in the conventional petrol-powered passenger vehicle industry. It is important to note that SUVs make up the bulk of electric vehicles that made their way to the Indian shores in the ongoing year. Here's a quick rundown of all the battery-powered passenger cars that went on sale this year.
Tata Nexon EV Facelift
The most popular model in the segment is the 2023 Tata Nexon.ev, which starts at Rs 14.74 lakh (ex-showroom). Medium-Range (MR) and Long-Range (LR) are the two available variants for the model. The 40.5kWh Long Range (LR) battery can produce 141bhp and 215Nm, while the 30.2kWh Medium Range (MR) battery belts out 127bhp and 215Nm. The electric version of the Nexon comes equipped with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a new two-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with mobile connectivity, a nine-speaker JBL audio system with multiple audio modes, touch-based HVAC controls, a wireless charger, and more features.
MG Comet
The MG Comet EV is India's most cost-effective electric vehicle. Despite being smaller than its competitors, this boxy and compact hatchback is a great car for city driving. When the MG Comet EV became available in 2023, it was priced at Rs 7.98 lakh (ex-showroom). This made it a serious competitor for the Tata Tiago EV, which had been India's most reasonably priced electric vehicle so far. The electric hatchback's appearance is striking from a design standpoint, and its cabin has a fresh, contemporary feel to it. On a single charge, the Comet EV boasts a 230 km driving range.
The model sports a multitude of amenities, such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 7.25-inch fully digital instrument console, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a reverse parking camera, i-Smart connected car technology, OTA updates, and others. Under the bonnet, the Comet gets an electric motor and a 17.3kWh battery that delivers a maximum power output of 41bhp and a peak torque of 110Nm.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 from Hyundai is the South Korean automaker's second foray into the Indian electric car market. The EV, which went on sale for Rs 44.95 lakh (ex-showroom), is a competitor to the Kia EV6, providing a more affordable choice than its rebadged equivalent. The Ioniq 5 is powered by a 72.6kWh battery pack and has a rear-wheel motor that can produce 350Nm of peak torque and 214bhp of maximum power, giving it a whopping 631-kilometre driving range on a single charge. Owing to the EV's fast-charging technology, it takes only 18 minutes to fully charge the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent.
Citroen eC3
One of the most reasonably priced electric cars available in India is the Citroen eC3. It carries a price tag of Rs 11.50 lakh (ex-showroom) and comes in two variants: Live and Feel. The 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four-speaker audio system, twin airbags, rear parking sensors, height-adjustable driver's seat, and ABS with EBD are just a few of the features offered with the EV. This Citroen model is powered by a 29.2kWh battery and an electric motor with 56bhp of maximum power and 143Nm of peak torque. The EV claims to have an ARAI-rated range of 320-kilometre with this performance.
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Mahindra XUV400
Mahindra launched the XUV400, the company's first electric SUV, in India this year. The electrified XUV400 is positioned in the compact SUV segment, where it faces off against vehicles such as the Tata Nexon EV. This e-SUV has two different battery options, and it starts at Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom). It promises a remarkable range of up to 456 kilometers on a single charge. The price for the Mahindra XUV400 goes all the way up to Rs 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and comes in two variants: EC and EL.
