MG has pulled the wraps off a striking new electric SUV at the Shanghai Motor Show, revealing the Cyber X – a boxy, high-riding crossover that points to a new design language for the brand and a move upmarket in both tech and ambition.
Unrelated in style to the low-slung Cyberster roadster, the Cyber X carries the ‘Cyber’ name into SUV territory for the first time. Its upright stance, bluff front end and chunky proportions suggest a focus on rugged style rather than outright efficiency. In photos released by MG, the car is shown with off-road tyres and squared-off arches, though the show car was fitted with more conventional road rubber.
The Cyber X’s proportions hint at a rival for the Smart #1, Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq, rather than a flagship SUV to sit above the HS. That said, the use of the ‘Cyber’ prefix, shared with MG’s £54,995 sports car, hints that it could become one of the brand’s more premium offerings.
Design-wise, the Cyber X features an illuminated MG badge, full-width LED light bars front and rear, and an upright windscreen that adds to the concept’s angular silhouette. It’s a clear departure from the more rounded styling seen on the ZS and HS, as MG looks to inject a more adventurous spirit into its EV line-up.
Beneath the skin, the Cyber X is the first MG to sit on SAIC’s all-new E3 platform, which introduces ‘cell-to-body’ battery integration – a design that promises better cabin space and increased ground clearance. This architecture is expected to underpin a wave of future MG models and could allow for various battery sizes and powertrains.
While MG says the Cyber X “echoes the spirit of young people to explore,” it hasn’t yet confirmed whether the SUV will be offered in right-hand drive or make its way to UK showrooms. Given the model’s China-focused reveal, it may remain exclusive to the domestic market for now – though the growing appetite for compact electric SUVs in Europe could yet sway the decision.
