Specifically targeting those who shop with a calculator in one hand and a bag of tools in the other, the big MG, which is based on the LDV Terron 9, makes the brand’s intentions obvious. They are here to shake up the market as a real competitor.

At the launch, held at Glenworth Valley on the NSW Central Coast, MG leaned into the bush vibe with some axe throwing, whip cracking and even damper on the coals. Fun and frivolity aside, it was time to hit the road, or dirt, as it were, with our first track a soft local fire trail.

It was easy work for the U9 Explore Pro we jumped in – with the uneven surfaces and shallow potholes a breeze. The real test came when we moved onto the river crossing. A steep drop into the water let us push the suspension and driveline properly.

After our two practical, hands-on sessions, the best bit came next. We had the opportunity to ride as passengers while MG’s pro drivers tackled the hill course. Without touching the multiple diff locks, they chose a clean line and let the four-wheel drive setup do the work.

The MGU9 crept up steadily, remaining composed and unbothered. That immediately raised a question for us; why not use the diff locks? The response is an interesting and informative one.

MGU9 from rear

Through its technology suite, the MGU9 has brake-based torque vectoring to push power to the wheels that have the most bite at the time. This is possible because underneath its exterior is a familiar formula; a ladder on frame chassis.

It’s powered by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine generating 160kW of power and 520Nm of torque. That’s married to an eight-speed ZF gearbox. It drives all four wheels via a dual range transfer case.

Locking differentials front and rear add another layer when the track gets sketchy, although the suspension is a multi-link independent setup. The configuration keeps the U9 moving even if one or two wheels are hanging in the air.

On paper, the rest of the package reads as you would expect for a serious dual cab. Braked towing capacity is rated at 3500kg, putting it level with the class leaders, while payload spans between 770 and 870kg, depending on the variant.

MG claims fuel use of 7.9-litres/100km from its 80-litre tank, giving the U9 proper long haul legs. Taken together, the numbers suggest a ute designed to handle both weekday work and weekend trips without flinching.

Circling the exterior, the MGU9 carries a distinctly boxy profile. Up front, you will notice the massive squared off grille flanked by sharp daytime running lights that give it a fresh look, compared to rivals. Some may struggle with its unibody design though.

At the back, the tray is practical, with a built-in step in the tailgate and even an optional smart hatch that provides cabin access, for added versatility. If the exterior isn’t enough, MG is also toying with the idea of supplying white-labelled off road accessories.

On show at the launch were test versions of a bull bar, electric tonneau cover with LED lights and a tray extension that can hold a barbeque grille. These are in addition to an array of standard accessories already available.

Inside, the design cues are significantly inspired by modern military jets. That starts with what has to be one of the most unique shifter setups we’ve ever seen, which looks like it was pulled straight from an F-35 joint strike fighter.

The centre console is draped in brushed metal trim, while our variant features captain’s chair style seats. With eight-way electric adjustment, four-way powered lumbar, plus ventilation and massage built-in, it’s a great place to be.

Every seat in the cabin is heated too, while the front passenger also scores everything but the massage function. The rear view mirror is digital, and comes with its own set of controls.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is paired with an identically-sized touchscreen infotainment setup. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. There are four USB ports (two A and two C), along with satellite navigation.

Voice commands and over-the-air updates also feature, and to round it out, the MGU9’s cabin packs an eight speaker JBL audio setup, and wireless phone charger. A dedicated off road information suite shows pitch, roll, drive modes and wading depth.

The only element that felt a little under cooked was the mirror mounted wading sensors for water crossings. In practice, they are redundant. If the water gets too high the engine will let you know long before the sensors do.

A 360-degree camera system gives a clear vision of the surrounding space, alongside a big glasshouse that provides excellent visibility. The MGU9 bundles in a full suite of driver aids including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.

You’ll also find lane departure warning, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, forward and rear collision warnings, and driver monitoring. There’s fatigue detection, hill start and hill descent control and parking sensors on the front and rear.

The MGU9 is backed by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty (160,000km for commercial registration).  That stretches to 7-years or 200,000km if you keep servicing with the MG dealership network.

Roadside assistance is also bundled, and capped price servicing will be confirmed soon. Pricing is relatively sharp, with the base Explore priced at $52,990 drive away, the Explore X at $55,990 and the Explore Pro at $60,990.

For context this undercuts the equivalent Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux by several thousand dollars, without sacrificing big ticket features. The MGU9 is not here to play nice, its here to rattle the market.

On paper it matches the heavyweights, in the flesh it feels well equipped and in the showroom its thousands cheaper than the blue chip rivals. That combination alone makes it dangerous.

Sure, there are still question marks over longevity, dealer support and how it handles a full tray or caravan, but as a first crack at the cut throat Australian ute segment, MG has landed a punch that the competitors cannot ignore. You can find out more about the MGU9 by talking to your local dealership.

This article written by Alec Gharibian and first published on Exhaust Notes Australia.


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