What's the difference?
Remember when MG’s first convertible sports car came out? I don’t, I’m 30. But I remember when the most recent one came out.
It’s got a weird name and it’s very hard to avoid drawing attention to yourself when you get out of it at the shops… but should you buy one?
I’ve been getting about in the new MG Cyberster to answer exactly that question.
Kia’s newest addition is either an overpriced mistake or the logical next step for a brand looking to move up in the world.
It’s called the EV9 GT, and much like the many ‘GT’ variants that have gone before it, this one is packing plenty of performance. It’s also loaded with creature comforts, enough to push it into the same league as the luxury car establishment.
But it also takes Kia to new heights in terms of price, which were already pushing boundaries. And it comes at a time when electric vehicles are in hot demand, but at the other end of the price spectrum.
So is this the case of the right car at the wrong time, or simply the next step in Kia’s evolution?
The Cyberster is certainly an impressive thing in a lot of ways, but if you were expecting a perfect sports car from MG, you'll be a bit disappointed.
It's quite expensive if you're looking for a nice EV, but on the flip side it's quite cheap if being fast is your main concern.
If anything, the Cyberster is an exciting look at what the brand is capable of, even if it's a bit rough around the edges.
Whether you think the EV9 GT is an over-priced mistake or the logical next step for a brand looking to move up in the world will depend on your point-of-view.
Kia has certainly extended the appeal of the EV9 range, but possibly in the wrong direction. Certainly the wrong direction if the goal is to add significantly more sales.
A cheaper alternative to the $97,000 EV9 Air would likely be a more popular choice from the point-of-view of Australian families considering replacing their diesel-powered SUVs with something that doesn’t rely on the chaotic fuel market.
But that’s not really who the EV9 GT will appeal to. Instead, from the point-of-view of someone looking at a more expensive European option, whether it be an Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX or something else, the EV9 GT may be appealing in a very different way - assuming that they aren't driven by what badge is on the front.
Kia has certainly evolved beyond its ‘cheap and cheerful’ image or buying primarily for its long warranty. These days Kia is a mainstream brand, but whether it has enhanced its reputation enough to attract buyers willing to spend more than $130,000 will be decided in the showroom.