MG Cyberster Review: From Instant Desire to Deal-Breaking Doubts
From the very first moment I slipped behind the wheel of the MG Cyberster, I was utterly captivated. The desire was immediate and intense—I had mentally signed the purchase papers before even starting the engine. This car, I thought, would definitely be mine. Yet, just one week later, my perspective had shifted entirely, leaving me with profound reservations.
A Bargain with Billionaire Flair
Let me be clear: the MG Cyberster represents an absolute bargain for what it delivers. It offers billionaire aesthetics on what feels like a fast-food budget. This is a state-of-the-art ragtop sports car with performance metrics that rival many supercars, blending classic design cues with racetrack-ready handling and a plethora of advanced electronics.
It even features those iconic billionaire doors that open upwards in a Lamborghini-style scissor motion, activated by a simple press of a button on the key fob. As the character Russ Hanneman quipped in the sitcom Silicon Valley, these are indeed the doors of a billionaire.
A Cockpit of Digital Luxury
Settling into the snug two-seater cabin, you are enveloped by a beautiful wraparound cockpit dominated by screens. Another button effortlessly retracts the gorgeous soft-top roof. Nearly every function is managed through one of the four impressive screens, creating a high-tech driving environment.
Throughout, you are surrounded by a stunning, lovingly crafted tribute to 1960s elegance—a modern homage to the classic MG Roadster that once revolutionized British motoring and captivated the world.
The Shadow of Reliability Concerns
However, herein lies the core issue. Historically, MG vehicles, particularly in the 1970s, were celebrated for their beauty but infamous for their unreliability—a problem that only worsened over time. I owned an MG Metro in the 1990s; while it looked fantastic and handled superbly, it literally disintegrated from rust within just three years.
After a brief and unsuccessful revival attempt at the turn of the century, the MG brand was sold to its current Chinese owners, much to the dismay of the MG Owners' Club. Subsequent years saw a series of uninspiring, budget-friendly family cars that threatened to tarnish the marque's illustrious legacy. I once drove one as a rental and found it to be the worst car I had ever experienced.
The Cyberster: A Phoenix Rising
Then, the Cyberster emerged. This model embodies everything an MG should be, all for a relatively accessible price of $115,000. Its 375kW electric powertrain rockets from 0 to 100 kph in a mere 3.2 seconds—a figure that puts many Porsches to shame. Importantly, it is an electric vehicle, but not one of the unattractive or detested varieties.
True to its soft-top two-seater heritage, it is suitably impractical, with minimal luggage space and storage, and requires more frequent charging than might be convenient. The claimed range of 443 km is optimistic; in normal use, expect closer to 300 km. During a drive from the Hunter Valley via the Putty Road with a nearly full charge, I seriously doubted I would make it home until I switched to eco mode.
Driving Joy and Refined Comfort
While its top speed may not challenge a Ferrari at full throttle, such scenarios are rare. What the Cyberster does deliver is sheer driving pleasure. Every minute behind the wheel brings a smile, whether navigating city streets, cruising on the freeway, or carving through country roads.
The ride and handling are exceptionally well-balanced, acceleration is exhilarating, and cornering performance is impressive—flat in the bends and swift on straights. Passenger space is generous and comfortable, and unlike older MGs, the heating and air conditioning systems actually function effectively. With the roof down, wind noise and buffeting are minimal; with it up, the experience rivals that of a luxury sedan.
Subjective Quibbles and Design Flaws
The array of screens might intimidate some, but most drivers will adapt easily. Technophobes are unlikely to be shopping for an EV anyway. If I were to purchase a Cyberster, my first act would be to remove the MG and Cyberster badges. The Cyberster name is, frankly, awful—a modern twist on Roadster that I personally dislike. Without the badges, most onlookers would assume you are driving something far more exotic and expensive.
However, the giveaway is the insanely juvenile arrow design used for the rear indicator lights. It feels as if a child's sketch accidentally made it into the final blueprint, cheapening an otherwise near-perfect design. Yet, these issues are not deal-breakers.
The Critical Deal-Breaker
The true deal-breaker emerged during a week-long test drive. Shortly after leaving the showroom, I discovered the car had no sound whatsoever. This was not merely a Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay glitch; there was complete silence—no radio, no sat-nav, no warning tones, not even the ticking of indicators.
I tried every troubleshooting step, including a full factory reset, but to no avail. Contacting MG proved futile; they could not diagnose or fix the issue remotely, promising only to investigate upon the car's return. I resorted to using a Bluetooth speaker and AirPods for audio.
This was a pre-arranged test drive intended to showcase the vehicle at its best, yet it highlighted a severe vulnerability. I adored everything about the Cyberster, but it is entirely dependent on its electronics. If these systems fail, it is not just a minor inconvenience; you might not even be able to open the doors.
Weighing the Risks
While such failures might be covered by the ten-year warranty or easily repaired, the incident raised alarming questions. If the audio can vanish inexplicably and remain unfixable, what could fail next? This constant, low-level anxiety about potential malfunctions is an uncommon burden in modern vehicles.
Admittedly, this unreliability is consistent with MG's historical reputation, but it is a high price to pay in today's automotive landscape. The Cyberster remains a thing of great beauty and immense fun to drive. I would still love to own one—but only if it were free. And, in keeping with MG tradition, I would keep a daily driver in the garage as a backup, just in case.
