First Drive: MG U9 in Sydney — Comfort Meets Capability

Twenty-Four Hours in Sydney

Sydney set the stage for the MG U9 launch, with Glenworth Adventure Park providing the backdrop. Our itinerary was tight: 24 hours on the ground, four drive stations, and a Q&A with MG executives. Enough to get a flavour, if not a full measure.

Through the Stations at Glenworth

MG laid out four specific drive experiences to show off the ute’s capabilities.

Water Crossing
Five U9s waited by the river. Matthew Hansen got the run through before the clock beat us. When my turn came, time was up, so I didn’t get to put the U9 through the wet, muddy exit. A missed chance to feel it working under water load.

Steep Off-Road Grade
A sharp incline, loose and rutted, marked the second stop. We weren’t allowed to drive this section ourselves — MG deemed it too risky for media cars — but we were taken through as passengers. From the seat, the U9 handled the climb without drama, which made the restriction feel conservative. What was noticeable, however, was the way the ute’s underbody and departure angle came into play. The side steps made contact over what were fairly modest obstacles, and one of the media cars left the course with visible damage to its rear bumper. It suggested that while the suspension gives refinement, the U9 may give up a little in off-road clearance compared to the more traditional set-ups it aims to rival.

Towing
Two U9s were hooked up — one to a horse float, another to an off-road caravan. The drive was capped at around 20 km/h. Enough to feel the engine tug but far too brief to offer any insight into real-world towing dynamics at highway speeds.

Fire Service Road Loop
Finally, seven minutes solo on a dirt service road. This was the highlight. From behind the wheel the U9 feels more like a comfortable SUV than a workhorse ute — and that’s exactly the point. The damping was spot on for light gravel use and, no doubt, for road use too. The multi-link rear suspension keeps the body composed across broken surfaces, limiting the side-to-side motion that unsettles many ladder-frame utes.

Steering was light and easy at low speed, making it simple to place on gravel. The 2.5-litre diesel pulls strongly but gets vocal under heavy throttle, with some vibration through the floor pan. On the upside, wind and road noise were impressively well contained — cabin calmness was one of the day’s standout impressions.

Of course, there was plenty we didn’t get to test — highway towing, long-distance economy, or how the U9 copes with a heavy load. When we get the ute for a proper week-long 4XJournal test, it’ll go through the full treatment we put every vehicle through. That’s when we’ll see how this first impression stacks up against real-world use, for us off-road nerds.

Family Ties, Different Focus

The U9’s platform and drivetrain are shared with the LDV Terron 9: a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, eight-speed automatic, and full-time four-wheel drive with low range. Where MG has tried to set itself apart is in execution.

Suspension: The Terron sticks with a traditional leaf-spring live axle, while the U9 moves to independent multi-link. That’s the biggest differentiator, giving the U9 a more SUV-like ride.

Interior: More premium touches, from dual 12.3-inch displays to massage seats and softer materials. The Smart Hatch mid-gate is another standout, offering cabin-to-tray flexibility on higher trims.

Styling: Squared arches and bold grille give it a stronger visual presence.

One detail stood out on the display vehicles. The accessory-equipped white U9 looked slightly out of proportion at first glance. A closer inspection revealed the wheels and tyres were actually smaller than the factory set. Looking into the wheel well, the design of the knuckle and upper control arm leaves very little clearance – around 15 mm – which limits the option of upsizing tyres for off-road use or a more aggressive stance. The result was that the all-terrain tyres and alloys fitted actually lowered the ute compared to standard, an unusual choice for a showcase vehicle, made more noticeable by recovery boards mounted with cable ties.

These kinds of details reinforce the point: while the U9 shares much with the Terron, MG is still finding how to translate its SUV-inspired comfort focus into a ute market where modification and visual stance matter.

On Paper: How the U9 Stacks Up

Engine: 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, ~160kW / 520Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, full-time 4WD with low range
Towing: 3,500kg braked / 6,200kg GCM
Ground clearance: ~220mm
Wading depth: 550mm
Approach / Departure / Ramp-over: 29° / 25° / ~20°
Warranty: 7 years / 200,000km

• NZ pricing:
  

  • Explore: $60,990
    

  • Explore X: $63,990
    

  • Explore Pro: $68,990
    

Compared to modern rivals, the U9’s torque matches Ranger and Triton, but its 550mm wading depth lags behind the Ranger Raptor’s 850mm. Its clearance and approach/departure figures are competitive but not standout.

Spec Sheet Nostalgia

Line it up against a Toyota 1HD-FTE Land Cruiser from the ’90s (128kW / ~430Nm) and the MG U9 beats it on paper in power and torque. But the Cruiser delivered grunt down low, indestructibility, and bush-fixable simplicity. 

So, Who’s MG Really Building This For?

MG is aiming this squarely at SUV switchers, lifestyle buyers, and families who want one vehicle to do it all: tow a trailer, handle gravel, carry gear, and still feel comfortable in the daily grind. Tradies will use it, but the design choices show MG’s priority is refinement over rugged simplicity.

At the Sydney launch, MG executives also pointed out that around 60 percent of household vehicle purchase decisions are made by women – a stat they expect to be reflected in U9 sales. That tells you exactly where the brand sees its advantage: comfort, features, and design appeal that widen the ute audience beyond the traditional tradie.

What Stuck With Us

The MG U9 isn’t the toughest ute on the market, nor is it trying to be. Instead, it’s pitched as a ute for people who might not have considered one before – a blend of SUV polish and tray practicality that MG hopes will bring new buyers into the fold. Whether it has the durability to win over Kiwi off-roaders and adventurers will only be proven with time – and a full 4XJournal road test on home soil.