MGU9 ute targets Aussie market with bold design and SUV-like comfort

Ged Bulmer22/08/2025

Chinese car maker MG confirms September on-sale date for its new dual cab ute.

MG has confirmed that its new dual cab 4x4 ute, the MGU9 will feature an Australian-engineered multi-link rear suspension when it arrives in showrooms in September of this year.

The MGU9 was a surprise appearance at the reborn Melbourne motor show in April and signals MG’s intent to branch out from its passenger car and SUV base into the booming commercial-vehicle segment.

MG’s strategic move into the ute market

Dual-cab 4x4 utes are famously one of Australia’s biggest selling vehicle types, with sales second only to the medium SUV segments and the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux regularly vying for the title of the country’s best-selling new vehicle.

MG is currently locked in an arm wrestle with rival GWM for the title of Australia’s biggest-selling Chinese brand, so desperately needs a player in a segment that last year accounted for 229,219 of the total 1,237,287 new vehicles sold in Australia.

Multi-link suspension sets MGU9 apart

Unlike most of its rivals in this segment, which tend to stick to tried and proven, load-oriented leaf spring rear suspension, the MGU9 will feature a multi-link coil spring suspension system.

This sort of independent rear suspension (IRS) setup is more often seen on SUVs than commercial utes, primarily because it offers superior ride comfort and road holding to leaf springs, but not the load-bearing capacity.

MG is yet to release full details for the MGU9, but has come out with all guns blazing about the new ute’s suspension system, promising it will deliver exceptional driving comfort in on- and offroad conditions.

Side view of MGU9 ute.

Balancing on-road comfort and off-road capability

However, while the multi-link system should ensure superior ride comfort, plus reduced road noise and vibration versus leaf sprung rivals, it may also mean less wheel travel when driving off-road.

Aside from sturdy load-carrying ability, one of the other advantages of a live-axle leaf spring rear suspension is that it allows for extreme levels of axle articulation, which is highly advantageous when traversing tough off-road terrain.

Most dual-cab utes sold here already have independent front suspension setups, which tend to lift a front wheel easily when driving off-road. But forward momentum can usually be maintained when driving off-road if at least one of the rear wheels is in touch with terra firm.

This will be more difficult with an IRS, which has less suspension travel to work with.

This may signal that MG is prioritising on-road performance over off-road ability for its new ute, although it has already come out and stated the MGU9 will have a category-competitive 3,500kg tow rating.

Styling, powertrain and interior highlights

Stylistically, the MGU9 boasts a bluff chrome grille that wouldn’t be out of place on a Ford F-150, and edgy, angular styling that won’t look out of place in the segment.

Under the bonnet is a conventional 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that develops a claimed 164kW/520Nm, while driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This puts the MGU9 ahead of both the Ford Ranger’s bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder (154kW/500Nm) and the Toyota HiLux’s 2.8-litre turbodiesel (150kW/500Nm).

As noted during its Melbourne Motor Show appearance, the ute’s interior is a particular standout, with a level of fit, finish and features that is a step above what is usually found in this workhorse class.

There’s an impressive twin 12.3-inch screen display and an aircraft style thrust lever for a gearshift.

The MGU9 is also roomier inside than most of its rivals, thanks to overall
dimensions that are larger than the likes of the Ranger and HiLux but smaller than full-size American trucks like the RAM.

Interior of MGU9 ute.

Dimensions, platform and expected pricing

Dimensionally, the MGU9 measures 5,500mm long, 1,997mm wide, and 1,860mm tall, and sits on a 3,300mm wheelbase.

This is identical to another recently released Chinese ute the LDV Terron 9, on which the MG is based.

However, where the two diverge is their rear suspension setups, with the LDV featuring a conventional leaf spring, live axle arrangement.

The LDVs pricing may also be a pointer to where MG will position its ute, with the former available in a two-grade lineup starting with the Origin at a competitive $53,674 driveaway, and rising to the Evolve grade which costs $58,937 driveaway.

In terms of off-road capability, expect the MG to emulate the Terron 9 which boasts on-demand 4x4, rear diff lock, low-range transfer case and selectable off-road modes.

The higher grade Evolve adds front and rear diff locks to its arsenal.

Few other details, including pricing, have yet been released but MG has opened the order books for reservations.

Things to note

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