2026 MG Cyberster Expert Review: The Bold EV Roadster That Challenges Luxury Giants
When it comes to modern electric vehicles (EVs), the conversation often revolves around range, practicality, and sustainability. But what if you prioritize pure driving pleasure, head-turning design, and the raw thrill of performance? MG Cyberster is here to answer that call.
In 2019, MG entered the Indian automotive market with the Hector, carving out a niche as a mass-premium brand. However, the one missing ingredient in their portfolio has always been a true halo car—a model that pushes the boundaries of design, technology, and emotion. With the launch of the luxurious M9 people mover and the exhilarating MG Cyberster, MG has finally unveiled its halo vehicles, signaling a bolder era for the brand.
Both the M9 and the MG Cyberster are the first models to be sold exclusively through MG’s premium Select range of showrooms, targeting discerning customers who crave exclusivity and performance. The MG Cyberster, in particular, targets buyers looking for something truly exciting, offering the adrenaline of cars that cost significantly more.
But can this bold EV roadster deliver on its high-end aspirations? After spending a day behind the wheel, here is my expert assessment of whether the MG Cyberster truly lives up to the hype.
Exterior: Design And Build Quality
From the moment you approach the MG Cyberster, it commands attention. During my test drive, it was impossible to drive for more than a few minutes without someone stopping to ask questions, eager to learn more about this striking machine. It’s a rare feat for a car to generate such immediate intrigue, especially in the current landscape where mainstream EVs dominate the roads.
Powered Scissor Doors: A Statement of Intent
The MG Cyberster features powered scissor doors, a design element typically reserved for high-end supercars and luxury coupes. Opening these doors in public is an event in itself, instantly turning heads and initiating conversations.
Both the driver and passenger doors open and close seamlessly at the touch of a button. Integrated sensors prevent accidents during operation, ensuring safety without compromising on flair. Yet, the beauty of the MG Cyberster extends far beyond its dramatic doors.
The Clean and Elegant Front
The front design of the MG Cyberster is both clean and visually appealing. It sports narrow, sharp LED headlights that perfectly complement the petal-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs). Combined with the wide, sporty grille, this creates a distinctive ‘smiling’ face that adds significant character to the front profile. The bonnet features strong creases that enhance the perception of length and give the car a powerful, grounded stance.
Classic Roadster Proportions
From the side, the MG Cyberster exhibits the quintessential roadster profile—low, wide, and muscular. The roofline flows smoothly into the rear, and the 20-inch wheels fill the arches perfectly, creating a balanced and proportioned aesthetic. The car’s low center of gravity is immediately apparent, promising agile handling and a planted feel on the road.
The Unique Rear Design
The rear of the MG Cyberster ties the overall design together cohesively. It features a full-width LED light bar that spans across the taillights, adding a sense of width without feeling overdone. Complementing this are arrow-shaped LED tail lights that are quite eye-catching. While some purists might prefer a cleaner look, these unique tail lights give the MG Cyberster a distinct identity that stands out in a crowded market.
Premium Build Quality
The overall build quality of the MG Cyberster is impressive, and this is where MG’s focus on the premium market truly shines. There are no noticeable panel gaps, and the doors feel substantial and well-engineered. Both the bonnet and the boot lid exhibit satisfying weight and feel well-damped during operation.
The Electronically Operated Soft-Top
The MG Cyberster is equipped with an electronically operated soft-top roof that folds away neatly into the body. It opens and closes in approximately 10 seconds and operates smoothly and quietly. A convenient feature is that the roof can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h, allowing drivers to quickly adapt to changing weather conditions without stopping the car.
Exterior Colour Options
The MG Cyberster is available in a total of four exterior colors, each offering a unique aesthetic:
Flare Red with black roof
Nuclear Yellow with black roof
Modern Beige with red roof
Andes Grey with red roof
While all color options are unique and elegant, the Nuclear Yellow and Flare Red grab the most attention, perfectly aligning with the car’s sporty and expressive character.
Interior: Design And Build Quality
If the exterior looks sporty, the interior takes that feeling to a whole new level. The cabin wraps around the driver like a proper cockpit, with everything angled towards the driver, clearly demonstrating MG’s focus on delivering a driver-centric experience. From a design perspective, there is very little to complain about.
The Triple-Screen Layout
The dashboard of the MG Cyberster is defined by its innovative triple-screen setup. You sit low, the dashboard sits high, and the curved screens provide an immersive experience. In most lighting conditions, the screens are crisp and easy to read. However, with the roof down in direct sunlight, brightness levels can feel somewhat lacking, making it difficult to see information clearly.
The Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel
The MG Cyberster features a flat-bottom steering wheel with a premium dual-tone suede leather finish. The steering wheel incorporates a red circular ‘Super Sport’ button, which serves as MG’s version of launch control. This allows drivers to access launch control without navigating through complex menus, making it easier to execute a perfect launch.
A Cabin Focused on the Driver
Like the dashboard, the rest of the cabin feels rich with a mix of leather, suede, and soft-touch plastics. While most functions are accessible through the screens, MG has retained physical toggles and switches for essential functions like drive modes and regenerative braking levels. These physical controls feel satisfying and tactile in everyday use.
Seats: Support and Comfort for Two
In typical roadster fashion, the MG Cyberster offers seating for only two occupants. The seats are snug, supportive sport seats that suit the car’s performance-focused nature. I stand at approximately six feet tall, and the driving position felt spot on, with sufficient legroom and adequate headroom even with the roof up.
However, my colleague, who stands over 6’5” tall, found it difficult to get comfortable. His knees were grazing against the steering column, and his head brushed against the roof. This, however, is not uncommon for compact sports cars like the Porsche Cayman/Boxster, which often feel cramped for exceptionally tall users.
The cushioning is firm but not uncomfortable, providing good support for longer drives. The seats come with a comprehensive list of features, including power adjustment, ventilation, heating, and memory functions with a smart welcome retract feature. Visibility is fairly good for a low-slung car, although the thick rear pillars limit the view when reversing.
Handling Real-World Practicality
While the MG Cyberster prioritizes performance, it does offer some practicality. The cabin storage is minimal, limited to essentials like a small glovebox, a cubby hole on the central tunnel, a pair of cupholders, and a bit of space under the armrest.
One interesting observation is the storage area integrated into the scissor doors. Due to the way the doors operate, this storage is limited to a small pocket with a closable lid, capable of holding only small items like a wallet or power bank.
Charging Options
While the MG Cyberster skimps on traditional storage, it excels in charging options. It features a wireless charging pad located conveniently in the central console, which holds the phone securely even during spirited driving. Additionally, there are both USB Type-A and Type-C ports available for both occupants, allowing for both wired phone charging and media connectivity.
The Infotainment System
The infotainment system of the MG Cyberster is powered by a 10.25-inch screen in the middle, flanked by two 7-inch screens on either side. While the layout looks modern and futuristic, the side screens are somewhat hidden by the steering wheel, which can make it difficult to see some information while driving.
The leftmost 7-inch screen serves as the infotainment system. It features a sharp display and supports wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which performed without hiccups during my test drive.
Understanding the User Interface (UI)
One major issue I encountered was the user interface (UI) of the infotainment system. It is not particularly intuitive. Often, I found myself having to search through different menus to find basic settings, and it took some time to get used to the layout. For a premium sports car like the MG Cyberster, a more user-friendly UI would be a welcome improvement.
The Useful Side Screen
Unlike the other two screens, the third screen on the right side of the MG Cyberster feels far more purposeful. Tucked to the side, it displays genuinely useful information such as weather updates, charging status, range, and time-related details like the current time, how long the car has been charging, and how much time is left for a full charge. The interface is clean and easy to read, with a layout that actually makes sense at a glance.
The Climate Control System
A separate touchscreen below the infotainment system controls the climate inside the MG Cyberster. This layout
