Expert Review: Exploring the Dynamics of the MG Cyberster in the 2026 Luxury EV Market
Since establishing its presence in India with the Hector in 2019, MG has successfully positioned itself within the mass-premium segment. However, a notable difference in the Indian market has been the absence of the globally praised halo models from MG’s portfolio. Early in 2025, MG shifted this strategy by unveiling the luxurious M9 people mover and the spirited MG Cyberster convertible sports car at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. Both these models are the first to be sold through MG’s Select range of showrooms, with the Cyberster specifically targeting buyers seeking excitement. With its striking design and athletic underpinnings, it aims to deliver the thrill of performance vehicles that cost significantly more.
This in-depth expert review explores whether the MG Cyberster can genuinely fulfill its aspirations. Having spent time behind the wheel, I delve into the nuances of this luxury sports car to determine if its bold promises hold up against real-world demands.
Exterior Design and Build Quality: Captivating Presence and Premium Execution
First impressions of the MG Cyberster are undoubtedly compelling. This is a car that draws attention wherever it goes; during the evaluation period, several individuals approached me to inquire about the vehicle, eager to learn more about this distinctive model. It is not often that a car captures attention this quickly, especially considering its premium pricing.
The Cyberster’s design features several elements that distinguish it, most notably the powered scissor doors. Opening these in a public setting guarantees a show and draws immediate attention from onlookers. Both doors operate smoothly at the touch of a button and are equipped with integrated sensors to prevent operational accidents. However, this car offers more than just the visual appeal of its unique doors.
The front design of the MG Cyberster appears clean and elegant. It features narrow LED headlights complemented by distinctive petal-shaped LED daytime running lights. Combined with the wide grille, this design imparts a unique, smiling facade that enhances the front’s character. Prominent creases on the bonnet further emphasize the car’s elongated profile.
From the side, the Cyberster exhibits a low, wide stance that truly accentuates its classic roadster proportions. The roofline flows seamlessly into the rear section, and the 20-inch wheels fill the wheel arches perfectly, contributing to the car’s balanced and proportionate appearance.
The rear design of the Cyberster effectively completes the overall aesthetic. It features a full-width LED light bar that extends across the tail, creating a sense of width without appearing overdone. It also incorporates arrow-shaped LED taillights that are quite eye-catching, although aesthetically, the design might appear cleaner without them.
The overall build quality of the Cyberster is also commendable. There are no noticeable panel gaps, and the doors feel substantial and robust. Both the bonnet and the boot lid demonstrate excellent strength and feel well-damped during operation.
The vehicle is equipped with an electrically operated soft-top roof that folds neatly into the bodywork. It can be opened and closed in approximately 10 seconds and operates smoothly and quietly. This feature remains functional even at speeds of up to 50 km/h, providing flexibility for drivers on the go.
The MG Cyberster is available in four distinct exterior color options:
Flare Red with a black roof
Nuclear Yellow with a black roof
Modern Beige with a red roof
Andes Grey with a red roof
While all color options offer unique and sophisticated looks, the Nuclear Yellow and Flare Red variants are the most striking and tend to grab the most attention. This is important for buyers looking for a vehicle that stands out in a crowded market.
Interior Design and Build Quality: A Driver-Centric Experience
If the exterior exudes sportiness, the cabin intensifies this feeling further. The interior wraps around the driver like a proper cockpit, with all controls and displays angled towards the person behind the wheel. It is evident that MG has heavily focused on delivering a driver-centric experience, and from a design perspective, there is very little to fault.
You sit low in the Cyberster, the dashboard sits high, and the triple-screen layout curves inward to keep all key information within easy view. In most situations, the screens are crisp and easy to read. However, when the roof is down and exposed to bright sunlight, the brightness feels lacking, making it difficult to read the displayed information. For performance enthusiasts seeking an immersive experience, bright conditions can be a minor frustration.
The car features a flat-bottom steering wheel with a dual-tone suede leather finish. This steering wheel includes a red circular ‘Super Sport’ button that provides direct access to MG’s version of launch control, eliminating the need to navigate through various menus to activate this performance feature.
Similar to the dashboard, the rest of the cabin feels premium, featuring a mix of leather, suede, and soft-touch plastics. While most functions are accessible through the touchscreen interfaces, the Cyberster also retains a few physical toggles and switches for essential functions such as drive modes and regenerative braking levels. These physical controls offer a satisfying tactile feel during operation.
Seats
In typical roadster fashion, the Cyberster offers seating for only two occupants. These are snug, supportive sport seats that suit the car’s performance-focused nature. As someone about six feet tall, I found the driving position to be perfect, with sufficient legroom and adequate headroom even when the roof is up.
However, my colleague, who stands over 6.5 feet tall, found it challenging to feel comfortable. His knees were touching the steering column, and his head grazed the roof. This is not uncommon for compact sports cars, as models like the Porsche Cayman/Boxster also feel cramped for exceptionally tall drivers. Understanding these physical limitations is crucial when considering this vehicle as your primary mode of transport.
The cushioning is firm but not uncomfortable and is suitable for longer drives. The seats offer a comprehensive range of features, including powered adjustment, ventilation, heating, and memory functions with a welcome retract feature. Visibility is reasonably good for a low-slung vehicle, although the thick pillars at the rear limit the rearward view.
An interesting detail is the manually adjustable inside rearview mirror, which feels out of place in an otherwise premium cabin. It also does not provide a complete view of the rear, requiring drivers to rely heavily on the camera system when parking or reversing. Getting in and out is easier than expected but still requires a bit of a duck and slide, as is typical for roadsters.
Storage and Practicality
The MG Cyberster is not a car designed for utility, nor does it pretend to be. Cabin storage is minimal, limited to the essentials. There is a small glovebox that opens via a button, a cubby hole on the center tunnel, a pair of cupholders, and some space under the armrest.
Given the unique way the scissor doors open, the only significant storage area is a small pocket with a closable lid that can hold only essential items such as a wallet or power bank. This is typical for the luxury EV sports car segment where functionality is often secondary to style and performance.
Charging Options
While the Cyberster skimps on practicality, it offers more than adequate charging options. It is equipped with a wireless charging pad conveniently located in the central console, which holds the phone securely even during spirited driving. Additionally, both USB Type-A and Type-C ports are available for both occupants, allowing for both wired phone charging and media connectivity.
Features
The MG Cyberster features a driver-focused triple-screen setup within the cabin. This setup includes a 10.25-inch screen in the center, flanked by two 7-inch screens on either side. While the layout looks modern, the side screens are partially obscured by the steering wheel, making it difficult to view some information while driving.
The leftmost of the three screens serves as the 7-inch infotainment system. It has a sharp display and works with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which functioned flawlessly during my testing. However, a significant issue I encountered was that the user interface (UI) is not particularly intuitive. Often, I had to navigate through different menus to find basic settings, and it took some time to get accustomed to it.
Unlike the other two screens in the MG Cyberster, the third screen feels far more purposeful. Positioned to the side, it displays genuinely useful information such as weather updates, charging status, range, and time-related details, including the current time, charging duration, and estimated time remaining for a full charge. The interface is clean and easy to read, with a layout that makes sense at a glance.
A separate touchscreen sits below the infotainment system to control the climate inside the car. This layout keeps the dashboard tidy and minimalistic but proved tricky to use. Simple tasks like adjusting the temperature or fan speed were challenging while driving. Physical buttons would have made these operations much easier for the driver.
Mated to the touchscreen is an 8-speaker Bose sound system that left a strong impression. It produces clear, well-balanced audio with crisp vocals and solid bass, enhancing the immersive driving experience.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The MG Cyberster has yet to be crash-tested by either global organizations or the Bharat NCAP, so its real-world crash performance remains unknown. This is a crucial factor for potential buyers to consider as the safety ratings directly influence insurance costs and overall confidence in the vehicle’s structural integrity during an accident.
It is equipped with essential safety features, including four airbags, a 360-degree camera, electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and front and rear parking sensors. The Cyberster also features a Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems
