petrolhedonist

SUV Comfort, Ute Capability

MG’s taken a proper swing at Australia’s ute obsession, and the MGU9 lands from $52,990 to $60,990 driveaway. That’s $10K–$15K south of a comparable Ranger Wildtrak or HiLux SR5—serious money left on the table. The hook? Multi-link rear suspension—the same independent chassis tech you’d find in a BMW X5, not a tradie’s daily. MG reckons Aussie buyers want ute practicality without the corrugated-road punishment. Bold claim from a brand known for hatchbacks. Let’s see.

On the road? Limited seat time at launch, but promising signs—firm ride with decent body control, and towing a 2660kg caravan didn’t induce any nasty habits. The ZF 8-speed shifts smoothly; the 2.5L turbo diesel feels eager and refined. Inside? Genuinely premium. Dual 12.3-inch screens, vegan leather that folds completely flat, heated seats all round, hard buttons where they actually matter. Feels more luxury SUV than workhorse—and that’s entirely deliberate. To run? Seven-year warranty properly embarrasses rivals’ five-year coverage. The 7.9L/100km claimed figure beats Ranger and HiLux on paper; 80L tank should see 1000km range. Resale remains the big unknown. The gotcha? Unproven in the real world. MG’s done 400,000km of local testing, but ute buyers are notoriously tribal—and the dealer network’s still thin outside metro areas.

Who needs this? SUV owners who’ve always wanted a tub but hate leaf-spring punishment. Families needing genuine daily comfort alongside 3500kg towing capacity. Skip it if brand heritage matters more than spec sheets, or you need established aftermarket support and proven resale yesterday.

The verdict: 🟡 Test drive worthy