MGU9 Aims to Redefine the Dual-Cab Ute as Both Workhorse and Family Car
MG Motor has rolled out the MGU9, its largest double-cab pickup yet, onto Australian and New Zealand roads. The newcomer promises to fuse the muscle of a heavy-duty ute with the comfort and convenience of a premium SUV.
Unveiled last week, the MGU9 arrives in three trims—Explore, Explore X, and Explore Pro—tailored for local conditions. The big ute boasts 3.5-tonne towing capability, an independent multilink rear suspension, and an electric tailgate, while offering a blend of practical touches such as integrated cup holders and a suite of infotainment features.
Step inside and the MGU9 feels more luxury SUV than bare-bones work truck. Massaging seats, a dual 12.3-inch digital display cluster, and cleverly integrated storage make it clear this is as much a family car as it is a tool of trade.
Power comes from a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox, sending drive through a BorgWarner four-wheel-drive system.
Pricing kicks off at AUD 52,990, and a seven-year warranty underscores MG’s confidence in the newcomer’s durability. That combination positions the MGU9 as a genuine challenger in the fiercely contested ute segment.
For years, Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger have set the benchmark in Australia, with reputations built on toughness and dynamic ability. The MGU9, however, plays a different hand: a more refined interior, smart features like the powered tailgate, and an independent multilink rear setup—a rarity in this segment. Where Hilux trades on rugged reliability and Ranger on sporty performance, the MGU9 stakes its claim on comfort and versatility.
