MG wants a piece of the ute pie in Australia and its ute-nsil of choice is this – the U9.
Based on the same platform as the LDV Terron 9, the MG U9 combines a traditional four-cylinder turbo-diesel powertrain, innovative packaging and premium interior presentation, positioning it as an attractive dual-cab 4×4 pickup alternative to segment staples including the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max.
That positioning is also reflected in the pricing. MG will ask $52,990 drive-away for the entry-level variant at launch, while the flagship Explore Pro is priced at $60,990 drive-away. As such, it also competes with other Chinese challengers such as the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha.
MG wants to be among the best-selling auto brands Down Under by 2030, but the achievement of that goal hinges largely on the success of this ute. After all, four-wheel drive utes accounted for more than 200,000 sales or almost one-fifth of Australia’s total new-vehicle market last year.
No pressure, then.
Keenly aware of the high stakes involved, MG invited us to Glenworth Valley in New South Wales to briefly experience pre-production examples of the U9 as part of a national launch event, ahead of first customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of this year.
How much does the MG U9 cost?
MG Motor Australia has undercut initial estimates by pricing its first ute in line with low-spec versions of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
| Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| 2026 MG U9 Explore | $52,990 |
| 2026 MG U9 Explore X | $55,990 |
| 2026 MG U9 Explore Pro | $60,990 |
To see how the MG U9 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
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What is the MG U9 like on the inside?
You’ll be hard pressed to find a more inviting ute interior at this price point.
The U9 is bigger than most mainstream dual-cabs and that extra size is immediately apparent when you clamber up into the cabin. It’s just so roomy, with a sense of space that’s more akin to a full-size American pickup than a Ranger or HiLux.
The seats are wide and accommodating to a variety of body types, while the centre console is truly expansive. Our Explore Pro test vehicles also featured a cream-coloured suede headliner and panoramic sunroof, both of which brighten up the interior and draw further attention to its generous dimensions.
Those features also draw your eyes to the design of the cabin, which neatly blends a utilitarian aesthetic with premium material choices. Both the dash and upper door cards are trimmed in soft-touch plastics, and key touch points are finished in either leather (Explore Pro) or a synthetic substitute.
As such, the U9 feels more upmarket than the vast majority of similarly positioned rivals, bar maybe the BYD Shark 6. And importantly, it’s not trying too hard like, say, the GWM Cannon Alpha.
However, I hold concerns about the hardiness of the U9’s interior over the long haul.
While it’s difficult to make concrete assertions based on testing of pre-production vehicles, there were some concerning signs of premature wear. For example, the electric parking brake switch in one U9 at the event had come loose, while others suffered creaks from the seats and door cards.
These issues may only concern prototype versions, but they also may not.
Doubts may exist over build quality, but there’s no questioning the level of standard equipment offered across the U9 range. From a comfort perspective, the Explore Pro gets power-adjustable seats with heating (front and rear), ventilation, and massage functions. All variants feature dual 12.3-inch displays.
It’s the same screen setup found in other latest-generation MG models, with a single panel housing both the infotainment system and instrument display.
Modern and clean in appearance, the tech is big on functionality, although you’ll have to opt for either the Explore X or Explore Pro if you want access to the full suite of connected features including Amazon music, satellite navigation, and OTA updates.
Wireless smartphone mirroring is standard across the range, although you can still connect your phone through a choice of USB-A or USB-C outlets. Upgrading to the Explore X brings a wireless charging pad.
Ute buyers tend to favour function over form, and MG has taken that into account when designing the control centre of the U9. The touchscreen is complemented by a central strip of physical buttons dedicated to climate controls and key shortcuts, all of which come in handy when making adjustments on the move.
You don’t have to go searching for the volume, cruise or mirror controls, either. And you certainly won’t miss the aircraft-style gear lever, a design highlight that dominates the centre console area.
Considering the sheer width of the U9, the cabin storage options up front are a little disappointing aside from the inclusion of split-level door bins.
The lockable glovebox is tiny, and while many modern utes offer an additional storage tray above the glovebox, that’s absent here.
Regardless, you’re still getting plenty of bang for your back with the U9, and that theme holds true in the second row.
There’s ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room for a full complement of tradies back there, although you’ll struggle to squeeze steel-capped boots under the front seats. There’d be even more room overhead if not for the sunroof, although it remains an option worth having.
Rear amenities includes USB outlets, air vents, map pockets, door bins, B-pillar grab handles, and a folding centre armrest with integrated cupholders – a pretty generous assortment for an affordable ute. Stepping up to the Explore Pro brings outboard seat heating.
The U9 lacks additional storage space under the rear seats similar to what you’d find in a Kia Tasman, but that deficiency is outweighed by the practicality of the vehicle as a whole.
All U9s feature ‘MultiFold’ rear seatbacks that can be folded flat for extra cargo space, while the front passenger seat can also be folded backwards to extend the flat surface.
The flagship Explore Pro adds the MG Smart Hatch option ($5500), which allows the rear window to be retracted and the divider between the tub and cabin to be folded forward and flat, extending the load space significantly.
Down back, the U9 features a power tailgate with a built-in, fold-down step and cupholders; it’s a spin on similar tailgates seen on the Ford F-150 and GWM Cannon.
MG has seemingly focused on cabin space with the U9, as the tub doesn’t match some rival offerings for capacity unless you make use of the Smart Hatch.
With that said, you can still fit a standard Australian pallet back there, while tie-down points and sliding slates make it easier to secure awkward loads.
A full-size spare wheel is fitted underneath the tub.
| Dimensions | MG U9 |
|---|---|
| Length | 5500mm |
| Width | 2265mm |
| Height | 1874mm |
| Wheelbase | 3300mm |
| Tub volume | 1053L (approx.) |
| Tub length | 1600mm |
| Tub width | 1230mm |
| Tub depth | 535mm |
To see how the MG U9 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The MG U9 and LDV Terron 9 share the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system, and although peak power is down by 3kW in this application it betters the outputs of the volume-selling four-pot diesel engines in the HiLux and Ranger.
| Specifications | MG U9 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Power | 160kW |
| Torque | 520Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Four-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 7.9L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 208g/km |
| Fuel tank | 80L |
| Weight | 2450-2550kg |
| Payload | 770-870kg |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg |
| Gross vehicle mass (GVM) | 3320kg |
| Gross combination mass (GCM) | 6500kg |
On paper, there’s really not a lot to separate the U9 from other four-cylinder dual-cabs on the market, however. It matches class leaders on towing capacity, while fuel-efficiency is middling for the segment.
With that said, the U9 gives up ground in the payload stakes, as similarly priced versions of the HiLux, Ranger, Triton, BT-50, D-Max and Navara quote between 900-1100kg.
To see how the MG U9 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the MG U9 drive?
The carefully curated nature of this brief first drive meant that it was tough to get a handle on how the U9 behaves in regular driving, but I was nonetheless left with a positive impression of MG’s new ute.
We spent about 20 minutes behind the wheel of pre-production examples at the launch event, cycling through a mix of off-road activities that included low-speed towing, ‘soft-roading’, and river crossings.
As such, I can’t speak to how the U9 drives on the road, or at any speed exceeding 50km/h for that matter – but I can tell you how it handles basic Aussie adventuring.
From the outset, I was impressed by the refinement of the turbo-diesel powertrain. It starts up without great fanfare and settles into a quiet, smooth rhythm, or at least that’s the sense you get from inside the cabin.
There’s a real sense of quietness inside the U9 – not quite to the level of the sometimes-EV BYD Shark 6 or ultra-sophisticated Kia Tasman, but certainly above what you expect from a standard dual-cab 4×4 ute.
And despite its softly spoken nature, the U9 shouldn’t be short of a gallop. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder produces 160kW and 520Nm, which are competitive figures for the segment. In saying that, the U9 is heavier than most at around 2.5 tonnes.
Nevertheless, it was able to tow a 2660kg caravan around the campground with no issues. The vehicle doesn’t shunt back and forth with a heavy load in tow, nor does it require hugely exaggerated throttle inputs to make progress.
A light steering setup also aids manoeuvrability when you’ve got a few metres of extra length to deal with, and you can connect trailer cameras to the infotainment system for an unimpeded rear view.
Whether these characteristics translate to comfortable high-speed towing remains to be seen.
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The U9’s punchy engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic that likewise appears up to task. It changes cogs smoothly at low speeds and our test vehicles were fitted with paddle shifters that come in handy when towing. With that said, the transmission is slow to respond to manual inputs.
All things considered, the drivetrain should be a strong match for the U9. But that wasn’t my main takeaway from this preview drive. Rather, it was just how comfortable this ute is over rough surfaces.
MG has traded the Terron 9’s more traditional live rear axle and leaf springs for a more car-like coil-sprung multi-link independent rear suspension system, and as a result it feels, well… more car-like.
The U9 doesn’t bounce over lumps and bumps like leaf-sprung rivals, instead delivering a plush ride that protects occupants from harsh impacts. Low-frequency vibrations are similarly dulled by the chassis – at least when driving on unsealed terrain…
Beyond a forgiving suspension system, which may come at the expensive of some payload, the U9 boasts an abundance of useful tech and mechanical features to make off-roading that little bit easier.
All variants come equipped with selectable four-wheel drive including a low-range transfer case, dedicated off-road terrain modes and a rear differential lock, while the top-spec Explore Pro gains a front differential lock. That’s plenty of kit for a ute that’s also big on luxury.
And in practice, the above inclusions make the U9 feel genuinely capable off the blacktop. It doesn’t scrabble for traction when faced with loose or slippery terrain, and makes light work of basic water crossings.
I say basic because wading depth is capped at 550mm – a disappointingly low number by segment standards. Likewise, the U9 is limited by its 220mm claimed ground clearance.
It’s possible to avoid unnecessary obstacles by taking advantage of MG’s ‘Off-road Expert’ infotainment application. The helpful app simultaneously displays a top-down view of the vehicle with marked wheel tracks, key data and shortcut icons for crawl control, hill descent control, and ESC.
Again, the actual level of the U9’s off-road capability will only become clear when we’re able to put it through extended rigorous testing, but the early signs are promising.
| Off-road dimensions | MG U9 |
|---|---|
| Track front and rear | 1685mm |
| Ground clearance | 220mm |
| Approach angle | 29 degrees |
| Departure angle | 25 degrees |
| Ramp breakover angle | 20 degrees |
| Wading depth | 550mm |
To see how the MG U9 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
The MG U9 will initially be offered in three dual-cab 4×4 pickup variants in Australia: the base Explore, mid-spec Explore X, and flagship Explore Pro.
2025 MG U9 Explore equipment highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- LED headlights
- Heated side mirrors
- Painted tub liner
- Keyless entry with push button start
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Dual-zone climate control
- Microfibre leather steering wheel
- 6-way adjustable electric driver’s seat
- Artificial leather upholstery
- 6-speaker sound system
The Explore X adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED rear tub lights
- Tub cargo slide rail with hook
- Electric folding side mirrors
- Heated steering wheel
- 6-way adjustable electric passenger’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Amazon music
- Over-the-air updates
- Voice control
- Satellite navigation
- Wireless phone charger
The Explore Pro adds:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Black window trim
- Black roof rails
- Electric tailgate
- 64-colour ambient lighting
- Suede headliner
- Electric panoramic sunroof
- 8-way adjustable electric driver’s seat
- incl. lumbar, ventilation and massage functions
- Leather upholstery
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Trailer reversing assist
- 8-speaker JBL sound system
Optional Electrically Foldable Rear Cabin Access Panel
To see how the MG U9 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the MG U9 safe?
The U9 will launch in Australia with a full five-star ANCAP rating, although it’s based on testing of the related Maxus eTerron 9 electric dual-cab sold overseas.
| Category | MG U9 |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 91 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 89 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 84 per cent |
| Safety assist | 85 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 7 airbags
- Intelligent Cruise Assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Forward collision warning
- Rear collision warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
Explore X adds:
Explore Pro adds:
To see how the MG U9 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the MG U9 cost to run?
MG will back its U9 with a shorter warranty than most of its models – just five years, with no kilometre limit for private buyers but a 160,000km limit for commercial customers.
This is bumped up to seven years or 200,000km – matching the LDV – when owners service within the MG dealer network. Service intervals and pricing will be announced closer to launch.
To see how the MG U9 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the MG U9
It’s difficult to come to any definitive conclusions about the U9 after such a limited first drive, but there’s enough evidence to suggest that it’s a worthwhile addition to Australia’s bustling ute market.
It’s bigger and more plush than most affordable utes, while the turbo-diesel powertrain and four-wheel drive system seem fit for purpose. The multi-link rear suspension setup also promises to be a strong selling point for those who prioritise comfort over payload.
Most importantly, the price is right. We didn’t get the chance to sample a base Explore, but the Explore Pro flagship is absolutely loaded with technology, luxury and practicality for little more than a stripped-out Ranger or HiLux.
However, several question marks remain. The prototypes we sampled showed worrying signs of wear and tear, casting doubt over the durability of the U9.
We were also disappointed to find the clever Smart Hatch is a $5500 option exclusive to the top-shelf Explore Pro. Cheeky, MG.
Further, we still don’t know what the U9 is like to drive on public roads. With that in mind, it makes sense to take a wait and see approach with this promising, yet unproven ute.
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