Car Launch: MG U9

At 5.5 metres long, 2.2 metres wide, and 1.9 metres tall, our first impression is that it’s big. To put that in perspective, the U9 is 130mm longer than a Ford Ranger, and feels larger in almost every way.

At the recent launch event, the AA had a chance to try the U9. This involved a mixture of on-road and off-road driving to test the ute’s limits and find out where it feels most at home.

The first leg of the journey took us along the windy coastal road towards Kawakawa Bay. The U9 settled into the tarmac nicely with the 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine pushing us along with relative ease. But this isn’t just any four-pot diesel, it creates 160kW and a hefty 520Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful four-cylinder utes.

Power is fed through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission to an AWD system. The U9 responds with impressive eagerness when you put your foot down; and although it doesn’t have sports car feeling, it handled the windy rural roads with ease.

The U9 has an elevated driving position giving you a commanding view of the road, but on narrow rural lanes, the ute’s enormous size quickly becomes a double-edged sword. The lane departure warnings were going off every few seconds which quickly became annoying. You can turn off lane guidance, but on a short drive, we didn’t have time to play with the menus and find it.

If you think the U9 looks familiar, it’s because it shares a similar platform with LDV’s Terron 9. Instead of the traditional cab-on-ladder chassis, the U9 uses a monocoque design, integrating the cab and tray into one structure. This bold move offers a refined style and sleek appearance but limits the ability to modify the ute with a flat deck.

However, if you opt for the top-spec version, you can get it with a clever party trick. The U9 features a Smart Hatch which allows you to drop the rear cab wall to extend the tray into the cab. It’s a factory-only option and costs an extra $6,190, so it’s best to plan ahead.

The rear suspension is equally unconventional, with MG opting for a multi-link independent rear suspension in place of the usual leaf springs. According to MG, this will give a more comfortable ride when the ute is empty. Overall, the ride was impressively smooth for a workhorse but still felt a little bouncy on rough roads.

The unusual suspension setup also limits the load capacity for the rear tray. It allows for 779 – 879 kg depending on the variant, which is shy of the magic one-tonne mark that the competition reaches with leaf springs. The multi-link setup doesn’t impact the towing capacity and can still tow a 3500kg (braked) load.

After a while, we turned off the open road and headed up through farmland that borders the Whakatiri Scenic Reserve, briefly giving us excellent views out over the Waitemata.

The weather of course had different plans and the once picture-perfect day soon turned grey and wet with rain fronts sweeping through. This turned the grass slippery and clay ruts into mud slides. Fitted with standard road tyres, the U9 wasn’t exactly prepped for hardcore off-roading. Luckily, the electronic diff locks and a suite of cameras helped when the track disappeared.

Off-road capability is a mixed bag. The 220mm ground clearance is slightly less than its rivals, and we often found ourselves bottoming out. Nevertheless, the U9 clawed its way through most obstacles, though driver skill and fearless attitudes played a big part in climbing slippery inclines.

The U9 can wade through 550mm of water, noticeably less than the competition which offer 700–800mm. However, unlike the U9’s rivals that impose speed limits, MG says it can do that at any speed. Approach and departure angles aren’t class-leading either. So, while the U9 can handle rough stuff, it’s clear this ute is more at home on-road than off.

On the inside, MG has gone for an industrial-meets-premium aesthetic. It includes aluminium styled trim with black gloss buttons, and a panoramic infotainment screen that gives the cabin an upmarket vibe.

The lineup offers three trim options. The entry-level Explore keeps things simple and includes a PVC leather interior, reverse camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mid-range Explore X adds wireless charging, heated seats, and the 360-degree camera. While the top range Explore Pro has leather massage seats, a JBL sound system, and blacked-out details.

Prices start from $60,990 for the base model, $63,990 for the mid-range Explore X, and $68,990 for the top tier Explore Pro.

By the time we wrapped up the day the U9 had left a strong impression; it’s big, powerful, and comfortable. Its design takes a bold step away from traditional ute norms, focusing more on refinement over ruggedness. Off-road ability and payload aren’t its strongest suits, but for drivers who spend more time cruising highways, the U9 offers a compelling blend of style, performance, and comfort.