The MG Cyberster is a victory lap. MG made heads flip with its segment-leading MG4 EV in 2023, which I re-reviewed at the start of 2025, dominating the inexpensive and mid-range electrical automobile market as a RWD hatchback. One efficiency mannequin and an SUV variant later, and MG has wheeled out its most spectacular automobile but – one which upends the cool issue offered by every other model on this planet.
The Cyberster is just not designed for runs to the store, neither is it made for households, towing trailers or as a fast runabout. It’s not a very helpful automobile in any respect – however it’s undeniably essentially the most particular EV that I’ve ever pushed.
This roadster is exclusive in each means. One way or the other an organization that is right this moment related to low cost automobiles and pretty common styling has provided one thing refreshingly new to the automotive world. Two seats, a convertible roof, all-wheel drive (or RWD for the cheaper mannequin) and fitted with scissor doorways, the Cyberster is a automobile whose objective is to be loved. True to MG trend, it’s additionally priced exceptionally effectively, and it’s frankly a disgrace that US clients are lacking out on this magnificence because of tariffs on Chinese language EV manufacture.
It’s a satisfyingly quick automobile and it handles exceptionally effectively on the highway. This stated, the Cyberster is constructed extra for cruising: it’s not destined for the observe, it’s supposed for vineyard journeys and to spa resorts. Popping the roof down and driving this automobile by way of leafy tree-covered roads is the place it hits its stride.
There’s nonetheless a delicate veneer of cheapness remaining with the Cyberster. For instance, being priced in luxurious territory, the Cyberster retains an identical OS to that of the MG4 – a typical goal of criticism amongst house owners of the hatchback for its lack of user-friendliness. At this type of value level, I’d have preferred the OS to look a bit cleaner, and for options like lane holding and sensible cruise management to be extra responsive and dependable.
To place this into perspective, MG is presently gearing as much as launch its luxurious IM sub-brand (much like Toyota’s Lexus) in some markets, and whereas these automobiles can be priced effectively into the premium vary, they’ll even be fitted with the tech, software program and the specs to justify it – particularly, a way more premium-looking OS.
Moreover, there are points of the Cyberster that stay a bit tech demo-ey. There are 4 shows within the automobile, a few of that are obscured by the steering wheel when in use – an odd alternative in a car that’s in any other case constructed to be fairly driver-focused. Charging velocity can also be unimpressive for the section with the Cyberster going from 10% to 80% in just below 40 minutes (a disgrace, given how pioneering the charging fee of the far-cheaper MG4 is), although its battery vary is completely serviceable for a well-planned vacation.
Lastly, and that is clearly subjective, the Cyberster has some fairly wild styling decisions. The arrowed brake lights and lightweight bar throughout the again are extraordinarily distinctive and could also be a bit too on the market for some potential house owners. The identical goes for its cockpit-like driver’s seat and distinctive rims.
All this for a way a lot?
|
Specs |
MG Cyberster |
|---|---|
|
Nation of origin |
China (designed within the UK) |
|
Worth |
RWD: £54,995 / AU$99,900 AWD: £59,995 / AU$115,000 |
|
Vary (WLTP) |
RWD: 507km / 316mi AWD: 443km / 275mi |
|
Battery measurement |
77kWh |
|
Energy / torque |
RWD: 250kW / 475Nm AWD: 375kW / 725Nm |
|
Most charging capability |
11kW AC / 144kW DC |
|
Drivetrain |
RWD / AWD |
|
Dimensions |
4,535mm L x 1,913mm W x 1,329mm H |
|
Boot capability |
249L |
There’s no denying that the MG Cyberster is an absolute head turner. By no means in my three years as an EV reviewer have I had a automobile get so many seems and stares in public as this machine. And why wouldn’t it? There’s not a single factor concerning the Cyberster that’s boring.
Its entrance finish is beautiful, its aspect profile makes it seem like a futuristic idea automobile, and its kammback rear finish is especially distinctive. The roof tucks away into its personal compartment, however stays seen when folded down, giving an additional little bit of color to the Cyberster’s profile.
The scissor doorways, which open by rising upwards, are activated by buttons beneath the middle display. As you get out of the automobile, you press a button on the decrease inside the door for placing it again down and, when re-entering, you simply press one other button on the skin for them to open (or rise) once more.
No handles! The place the inside door handles would usually be are the seat-adjustment buttons, that are fairly straightforward to bump in case your knees are pressed towards them. Opening or closing, the doorways take round 5 seconds to get the job executed.
There’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, however solely wired. There’s a slot on your telephone to suit into and room for a cable to run neatly from the middle compartment to your handset. The screens, although there are 4 of them, aren’t very massive, and are all angled in direction of the motive force whereas not being intrusive on the expertise.
The screens are a bit overkill and take away from the informal luxurious expertise you might want, making this automobile look extra at residence on a commerce present ground and fewer snug when driving by way of a valley.
The display on the best is solely for driving stats – stuff like effectivity and power-draw sources – together with encompass cameras when parking. Stylistically that is nice, however the prime of the steering wheel obscures three of the screens – an annoyance that doesn’t exist within the Chinese language variant of the Cyberster that makes use of a yoke-style wheel (on the apparent value of getting fewer locations to grip when driving).
Within the center is the instrument cluster show, and on the left is the infotainment system the place your map can be proven. The show within the middle of the automobile is used for air-con and tweaking the automobile’s settings.
To your passenger, there’s a seize deal with close to the center display, excellent if they need one thing to carry when the automobile is shifting actually quick.
It’s principally a refreshing structure: there’s no wi-fi cost pad, and since telephone infotainment is cable-only, there are not any dropouts (until you could have a dodgy cable). I’ve beforehand written about the problems with wireless charging in cars, and that is the very best answer but. Why trouble with it within the first place?
It’s a disgrace that the driving expertise is dulled by the automobile’s cheap-feeling OS. It’s gradual, it’s not notably good to take a look at and is simply not very becoming for its value level – although these issues admittedly pale to the again of my thoughts whereas cruising.
That being stated, most of your time driving this automobile will both be spent with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto open, so that you’ll hardly ever must work together with the built-in settings until you wish to tweak driving really feel or local weather. It rapidly turned a non-issue for me, particularly with so many different cool issues going for the Cyberster.
The large crimson button
For those who’re after the very best efficiency, you’ll wish to press the large crimson ‘Tremendous Sport’ button on the steering wheel. This removes the ability cap on the motors and allows you to velocity the AWD mannequin as much as 0-100km/h in solely 3.2 seconds (5 seconds with the RWD mannequin). You’ll solely ever press this button when getting into a freeway, ranging from a full cease or, if allowed, driving on a racetrack, and it doesn’t actually symbolize informal driving effectively – however gosh is it enjoyable. It’s a beautiful agile automobile too, with completely different choices for steering sensitivity and regenerative braking.
Including to the enjoyable is launch management. Flick the automobile into Tremendous Sport and put your ft down on each pedals – when able to go, increase your foot off the brake and also you’ll really feel an distinctive acceleration the likes of which I’ve by no means skilled earlier than.
However though the Cyberster is a more-than-capable automobile at velocity, it’s rather more enjoyable as a cruiser. Merely driving on leafy roads or by way of cities with the roof down is thrilling sufficient, and with that in thoughts I reckon the RWD might be the higher possibility for most individuals.
The material roof, which is on the market in numerous colours, tucks in behind the seats however stays seen, including a tertiary coloration to the Cyberster when the roof is down (a element I really like). The roof strikes up and down, taking 15 seconds to finish its motion in both path.
Naturally there’s not a lot room within the boot for something, although a good friend and I have been in a position to put in baggage for 2 individuals over a four-day vacation. There’s additionally a helpful netted part behind the seats for tucking a e book, hat, bottle, coat or small umbrella in case you want any of them. Extra storage compartments are within the middle armrest and beneath the instrument cluster, plus the glovebox. There’s no frunk, although I’m not bought on the necessity for a trunk on the entrance of a automobile.
Some issues are off
I’ve already touched on the shows and the way they make the automobile look fairly sci-fi, however there are a couple of different points of the Cyberster that really feel a tad hit or miss.
Of explicit notice to me is the DC recharging fee – as much as 144kW, the identical most enter because the MG4. It’s not gradual – don’t get me fallacious – and it’s above the paltry 60-80kW determine you’ll see from some mid-range fashions, however to place issues into perspective, the less expensive Hyundai Ioniq 5 can cost at as much as 233kW. The even cheaper XPeng G6 can cost at as much as 280kW.
Admittedly these are bigger automobiles with larger batteries, however it does sadden me to see such an costly automobile cost at this fee, although it’s admittedly not alone in having this drawback. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, for instance, solely costs at 150kW with an identical value to the Cyberster.
Aesthetically this automobile is extraordinarily futuristic in my favourite methods, however I really feel it’s not for everybody. You’ve received this exceptionally smooth aspect profile, a really distinctive rear finish after which a extra toned-down entrance finish, wanting a bit Porsche- and Ferrari-esque. It’s not dangerous wanting by any stretch, however some may really feel it’s both too futuristic or not sufficient once you take a look at it up shut.
Internally, because it’s a roadster, there isn’t a whole lot of house, and an individual with a bigger body would doubtless battle to get snug. You’re not given as a lot freedom to place your seat again, so that you’ll must cope with your legs being ahead to at the least a point. Once more, this isn’t distinctive for a automobile of this sort, however it’s one thing to remember.
Lastly, and that is most likely essentially the most minor criticism that I might make, there isn’t any hardtop model. Whereas the roof efficiently insulated my passenger and me from the rain, a metallic roof would give a better peace of thoughts than a cloth that may rip. I am unable to communicate to the probability of this taking place, however it is perhaps preferential amongst some house owners to have a hardtop convertible, the place the one leaks that would come up are from dodgy seals. The incoming Cyberster GTS seems to be what I would hoped for, minus being a convertible.
An escaped idea automobile
The MG Cyberster seems like what every other firm would merely depart as a demo – too bizarre and futuristic for the actual world, so finest to point out off at an occasion and by no means put into manufacturing.
As a substitute, that is the automobile MG has created to rejoice its a hundredth anniversary, spanning its British heritage and its acquisition by Chinese language automaker Saic in 2007. And it’s a exceptional creation that I’ve truthfully fallen in love with.
Name it clickbait, however I can’t consider a extra enjoyable EV on this planet than this factor. Shortcomings on software program and charging occasions apart, the Cyberster is particular and I’m so glad it exists. My hope is that it’ll achieve success, however clearly it’s an exceptionally area of interest product that I don’t anticipate to ship wherever close to as many models as MG’s different automobiles.
EVs have fallen right into a lull in recent times, with solely the likes of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5N actually targeted on bringing the enjoyable issue. Breaking other than the Ioniq 5N’s compromise on enjoyable and practicality, the Cyberster goes all-in on pleasure. It’s all thrills.
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