2026 MG Cyberster AWD Review

Lend it to me for six months so I can show off

2026 MG Cyberster AWD Review

Aug 03, 2026

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FZ

Contributor


Overall Rating

7.8
  • Cost of Ownership
    7.8
  • Ride Comfort
    7.6
  • Fit for Purpose
    7.5
  • Handling Dynamics
    7.8
  • Interior Practicality and Space
    7.5
  • Fuel/Energy Efficiency
    7.6
  • Value for Money
    7.3
  • Performance
    8.1
  • Technology Infotainment
    7.8
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Lend it to me for six months so I can show off

Pros

  • Spot-on, performance-oriented suspension tuning
  • Precise steering and engaging handling
  • Head-turning scissor doors and styling
  • Superior interior materials and craftsmanship

Cons

  • High, fatiguing driver seating position
  • Wired USB-A smartphone connectivity only
  • Steering wheel obstructs display screens
  • Hefty price tag challenges buyers

In November 2024, MG Australia launched the highly anticipated MG Cyberster pure electric sports car in Australia as the ultimate symbol of its engineering prowess. The MG Cyberster does not look like an extreme supercar, but rather aligns more closely with a classic roadster form factor akin to the Porsche 718 Boxster. With its bespoke romantic aesthetic, it instantly transformed into an eye-catching sensation upon its Australian release, capturing countless admiring glances.

What is the powertrain of MG Cyberster?

In terms of performance, the version of the MG Cyberster released in Australia is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive model. Its front-axle electric motor delivers 150kW and 250Nm, while the rear-axle motor produces 250kW and 475Nm, yielding a combined maximum power output of 375kW and peak torque of 725Nm. Top speed reaches 208km/h, and the 0–100km/h sprint takes a blisteringly quick 3.2 seconds. Fitted with a 77kWh battery pack, it supports 11kW AC charging or up to 144kW DC fast charging, achieving a combined driving range of 443km under the WLTP test cycle alongside a rated energy consumption of 19.1kWh/100km.

Across our 150-kilometre real-world evaluation—comprising 60% urban city driving and 40% freeway cruising—we recorded a combined energy consumption figure of 22.6kWh/100km. Based on the 77kWh usable battery capacity, this equates to an actual real-world driving range of 340 kilometres, representing a WLTP range achievement rate of nearly 77%. Considering this is a performance-oriented electric sports car and I could rarely resist rapid bursts of acceleration and deceleration during testing, the real-world range delivered by the MG Cyberster can be considered thoroughly respectable.

How does MG Cyberster look from the outside?

Visually, the MG Cyberster possesses every quintessential ingredient of a convertible sports car—a wide-body, low-slung stance, a soft-top canvas roof, scissor doors, and a collection of bespoke styling cues that together interpret modern performance aesthetics for the electric era. As a pure-blooded convertible, the MG Cyberster boasts authentic European roadster proportions. Underpinned by a brand-new dedicated electric architecture, it fully unleashes an aggressive, road-hugging wide-body stance charged with dive and muscular power.

The traditional combustion-engine front grille has evolved into functional aerodynamic ducting, while the sculpted headlight assemblies produce an impactful visual sweep. Together, they forge the aggressive "Wind Hunter" front fascia that gives the MG Cyberster its unmistakable brand identity. The "Leopard Jump" shoulder line—one of the MG marque's signature design languages—proudly accentuates its athletic physique and grounded, road-planted poise.

The electric scissor doors serve as the crowning centerpiece of the MG Cyberster. Beyond their striking visual drama, they incorporate meticulous engineering considerations that preserve the car's sleek profile while allowing occupants to enter and exit with greater ease and elegance.

Sports car aesthetics encompass far more than static visual charm; they deliver a soul-stirring sense of occasion. The bespoke power-folding soft-top roof harmonises aesthetic allure with genuine functionality, granting owners an immersive lifestyle and driving experience.

Furthermore, the MG Cyberster’s bespoke aerodynamic rear incorporates the iconic Kammback tail design first pioneered on race cars. A gently upturned ducktail spoiler combines with vertical Kamm chops on the flanks to form a clean-cut trailing edge, establishing one of the foundational cornerstones of the Cyberster's slippery aerodynamic efficiency.

How is the interior of the MG Cyberster?

Inside, the cabin styling of the all-new MG Cyberster harmonises seamlessly with that of a purpose-built sports car. The steering wheel adopts a dynamic Yoke-inspired shape that feels immensely engaging, while the central control architecture features clean, minimalist surfacing that radiates an authentic motorsport edge.

As mentioned earlier regarding its exterior, the scissor doors deliver world-class swagger; from an ingress and egress perspective, however, scissor doors are naturally trickier to step through than conventional car doors, demanding careful attention to ensure adequate clearance from adjacent vehicles or objects. If the ultrasonic proximity sensors integrated into the doors detect an imminent obstacle, the doors will halt their travel mid-swing, requiring you to contort your body slightly to slip inside or out.

Once settled in, seats trimmed in a tactile combination of Nappa leather and Alcantara impart an upscale yet distinctly sporting ambiance. However, two specific gripes center on the seating position: first, the driver's hip point sits noticeably higher than that of a conventional petrol sports car, a natural consequence of packaging a hefty traction battery pack within the skateboard floor; second, the lack of under-thigh cushion extension means fatigue inevitably sets in over longer stints behind the wheel of a high-seating sports car.

Mounted behind the steering wheel are paddle shifters; while well-shaped, their plastic construction feels slightly inexpensive to the touch. The left paddle toggles between regenerative braking modes, while the right paddle cycles through drive modes.

Finally, let us address the screens: there are four separate digital displays scattered across the cabin, which can feel somewhat overwhelming when you first jump inside.

  • Positioned squarely ahead of the driver is a digital instrument cluster with a darkened theme, featuring crisp, vividly saturated graphics that can be customized across various driving modes and gauge layouts.
  • The screen to the driver's immediate left functions as the infotainment display, which is where familiar applications like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are mirrored.
  • The screen to the driver's immediate right acts as an auxiliary information hub, displaying the reversing camera, 360-degree surround-view feed, and real-time vehicle status menus.
  • Lastly, a dedicated climate control touchscreen is situated adjacent to the gear selector on the centre console, which also manages the Cyberster's various safety assistance toggles, heated seat switches, and lumbar adjustment settings.

These four displays undeniably highlight the designers' ingenuity in conceptualising the cockpit of this pure electric sports roadster—striving to incorporate comprehensive functional controls without compromising bespoke design identity, an effort that deserves strong praise. Nevertheless, just as no design in this world is entirely flawless, the Cyberster's quad-screen layout brings a few ergonomic compromises:

  • The overlapping line of sight between the curved triple wrap-around displays and the steering wheel rim means portions of the outer left and right screens are obstructed, occasionally requiring the driver to tilt their head to read menu information.
  • Because the climate control display by the shifter lies almost completely flat facing upward, driving with the roof down causes intense sunlight glare that renders the touchscreen buttons and climate readouts virtually illegible.

What is the exterior Dimensions of the MG Cyberster?

In terms of dimensions, the 2026 MG Cyberster measures 4,535mm in length, 1,913mm in width, 1,329mm in height, and rides on a 2,690mm wheelbase, with a tare kerb weight of 2,210kg and a luggage capacity of 249 litres. Although the MG Cyberster is strictly a two-seater, its external proportions mean it stretches 156mm longer and sits on a wheelbase 215mm longer than a Porsche 718 Boxster.

On the storage front, the cabin provides a compact glovebox alongside a parcel shelf ledge behind the twin seats. While you cannot expect immense cargo utility in a convertible roadster, the storage shelf behind the single seating row is a welcome bonus, easily accommodating two large soft gym bags. The rear boot requires manual lifting, but its 249-litre capacity stands as a class leader, swallowing two carry-on overhead suitcases with room to spare for a tennis training kit (though a full set of golf clubs definitely will not fit).

What is the ownership and warranty coverage for the MG Cyberster?

In terms of ownership, the 2026 MG Cyberster is backed by a 10-year/250,000-kilometre factory vehicle warranty alongside a 7-year, unlimited-kilometre paint warranty. Scheduled servicing intervals are set every 12 months or 25,000 kilometres, with capped-price servicing across the first 10 years totaling $5,034 AUD, averaging $503 AUD per annual visit—a thoroughly acceptable servicing tariff for a premium open-top performance car.

How safe is the MG Cyberster?

From a safety perspective, the 2026 MG Cyberster has not yet undergone crash evaluation by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. The comprehensive suite of active safety technologies fitted standard across the lineup includes: adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring, emergency lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, intelligent cruise assist, intelligent speed limit assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, pedestrian acoustic warning sounds, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, 360-degree surround-view camera, and tyre pressure monitoring.

In real-world driving, the adaptive cruise control functions smoothly, while lane keep assist intervenes only when strictly necessary—which is exactly how it ought to behave. Furthermore, the lane centring assist that pairs with adaptive cruise works remarkably well.

The vehicle is fitted with a driver attention monitoring camera, yet during the several brief moments when my gaze wandered from the road ahead, it never sounded an alarm once. The only somewhat irritating safety aid on this car is the intelligent speed limit warning, which requires navigating into the settings menus to disable before every journey—an inconvenience the manufacturer could readily solve by assigning a one-touch mute shortcut onto the steering wheel via an over-the-air update.

What is the standard equipment of the MG Cyberster?

Standard equipment on the 2026 MG Cyberster includes:

  • 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Tyre repair kit
  • Brembo front brake calipers
  • LED headlights, daytime running lights, and tail-lights
  • Automatic headlights
  • Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Six-way power-adjustable sports seats with two-way lumbar support and heating
  • Alcantara and synthetic leather combination seat upholstery
  • Synthetic engine sound generator
  • Metal sports pedals
  • 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (Sport and Classic display modes)
  • Two 7.0-inch auxiliary screens
  • 7.0-inch central infotainment touchscreen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • DAB+ digital radio
  • Two USB ports (1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C)
  • Satellite navigation
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • One-pedal driving mode
  • Four drive modes (Comfort, Sport, Custom, Super Sport)
  • Four regenerative braking modes
  • Launch control mode

Regarding exterior colourways, the 2026 MG Cyberster is available in the following hues, with Diamond Red and Royal Yellow offered with a choice of either a black or red soft-top fabric roof:

  • English White Standard
  • Sterling Silver Metallic
  • Camden Grey Metallic
  • Diamond Red Metallic
  • Royal Yellow Premium

What is the MG Cyberster like to drive?

First and foremost, the MG Cyberster features no ignition start/stop button. This can prove mildly frustrating: when you park and step out of the cabin, the Cyberster does not power down, shutting down completely only once locked via the key fob.

Before setting off, you need to familiarise yourself with the Cyberster's gear selector. Located conveniently on the centre console, you must either push or pull corresponding buttons depending on whether you are selecting Park, Reverse, or Drive—a layout that feels loosely inspired by the shift mechanism on a Chevrolet Corvette.

Once underway, the MG Cyberster defaults to "Comfort" mode. This mode engages exclusively the rear electric motor, which independently generates 250kW of maximum power and 475Nm of peak torque, delivering progressive, linear acceleration without threatening to snap your neck back.

Prod the prominent red "Super Sport" button on the steering wheel, and every activation feels undeniably special—closely echoing the visceral thrill of engaging N Mode in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. This drive mode fully unleashes the Cyberster’s complete 375kW and 725Nm reserves. Yet unlike many other electric vehicles, it does not dump all its outputs in an unruly instant; instead, it serves up a surging, beautifully metered wave of linear acceleration.

A comprehensive roster of regenerative braking modes is on tap, most importantly including a true one-pedal driving mode. For the bulk of my test drive, I settled on one-pedal mode, as it felt like the most natural way to pilot the car. Unlike many electric vehicles—or even traditional hybrids—the Cyberster executes the transition from regenerative braking to mechanical friction braking seamlessly, ensuring coming to a halt feels progressive rather than snatchy.

Across all driving modes, the steering remains razor-sharp, though the suspension is tuned noticeably firm. Given the car’s dedicated sporting pedigree, this firm calibration makes complete sense, communicating an agile, linear chassis character to the driver.

The only noticeable dynamic drawback centers on the artificial sound generator. While two distinct synthesized acceleration sound profiles are available, neither proves particularly exhilarating—unlike the theatrical sonic profiles in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Consequently, I chose to mute the artificial soundtracks for most of my drive. Even so, a faint, low-pitched electric motor whine permeates the background—unconventional, yet undeniably exciting in its own right.

How much does the MG Cyberster AWD cost?

Official drive-away pricing for the 2026 MG Cyberster AWD across Australian states and territories is listed below (AUD):

  • $122,006 AUD (NSW)
  • $121,797 AUD (VIC)
  • $121,289 AUD (QLD)
  • $121,158 AUD (SA)
  • $122,342 AUD (ACT)
  • $124,575 AUD (WA)
  • $121,182 AUD (TAS)
  • $118,542 AUD (NT)

New MG Cyberster Review: Final Verdict

The MG Cyberster represents the halo flagship recently launched in Australia by this ambitious Chinese-owned marque. As it stands, it possesses no direct, noteworthy competitors in the local Australian market that combine all of its defining traits—pure electric power, an open-top convertible layout, and dedicated sports car dynamics.

Yet stepping out of the car, I found myself harboring somewhat conflicted feelings.

On the surface, it packs every ounce of glitz and glamour courtesy of its power scissor doors, lavish interior finishes, and dramatic head-turning styling. Backed by a high-output dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, it simultaneously delivers thunderous performance.

In practice, however, while the Cyberster is fiercely fast and genuinely fun to hustle, it shares a familiar EV trait: it feels slightly devoid of soul—a soul whose missing crescendo is that visceral rush of adrenaline fueled by an authentic exhaust soundtrack.

If you are seeking an electric vehicle that truly quickens the pulse, current acknowledged benchmarks remain the Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model 3 Performance, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. I am well aware these are entirely different vehicle archetypes, yet the latter two trade at price points closely mirroring the Cyberster.

One closing thought: I wonder how vast the addressable market for a vehicle of this archetype truly is in Australia; for the time being, electric convertibles remain an exceptionally rare breed.

Regardless, seeing an automaker like MG take a bold roll of the dice on such a unique, niche concept is genuinely exhilarating. As rival prestige marques including Maserati, Tesla, Lotus, and Porsche prepare their own competitive counterpunches—such as the Lotus Type 135 arriving in 2026 alongside its shared-platform Alpine A110 successor, the next-generation Tesla Roadster, and electric iterations of Porsche's 718 Boxster and Cayman anticipated for 2024 or 2026—the MG Cyberster may well emerge, in hindsight, looking like a remarkable bargain.

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Overall Rating

7.8
  • Cost of Ownership
    7.8
  • Ride Comfort
    7.6
  • Fit for Purpose
    7.5
  • Handling Dynamics
    7.8
  • Interior Practicality and Space
    7.5
  • Fuel/Energy Efficiency
    7.6
  • Value for Money
    7.3
  • Performance
    8.1
  • Technology Infotainment
    7.8
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