- MG has launched its first Australian pickup based on the Maxus Terron 9.
- It features a multi-link rear axle and a power tailgate with a step.
- A 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel powers the truck with 215 hp.
The all-new MGU9 marks a significant first for MG in Australia, stepping into the country’s competitive midsize pickup market. While not the brand’s debut truck globally, this is the first time an MG-badged pickup will roll into local showrooms. Built on the bones of the Chinese Maxus/LDV Terron 9, the newcomer carries over much of its sibling’s hardware but introduces details designed to make it feel more distinct.
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Visually, the MGU9 shares most of its bodywork with the Terron 9, but there are a few noticeable changes. The oversized grille has been reshaped, finished with extra chrome, and of course, wears the MG badge front and center.
A redesigned bumper adds definition to the front end, while the party trick at the rear is a powered tailgate with a built-in fold-down step for easier access. The powered tailgate not only hides a fold-down step for easier access, it also moonlights as a bench, complete with cupholders for your roadside barista moment.
Clever Touches
Another cool feature is the MG Smart Hatch system, which expands the cargo area via a foldable mid-gate and a drop-down rear window. However, it is offered only on the flagship Explore Pro trim, where it appears on the options list.
Inside, the highlight is an aircraft-inspired gear selector that is unique to the MG. The rest of the cabin mirrors the LDV Terron 9, including the standard digital cockpit with dual 12.3-inch displays. The Explore Pro goes further with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated rear outboard seats, an eight-speaker JBL audio system, a panoramic glass roof, and leather upholstery with a suede headliner.
Although it shares a ladder-frame platform with its Chinese twin, MG Australia stresses that the MGU9 was developed and tested specifically for local conditions. Central to that claim is the use of a multi-link independent rear suspension, a departure from the leaf springs common in this class. MG says the setup gives the truck an edge in ride comfort and handling without compromising load-carrying ability.
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Under the hood lies a SAIC-built 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine generating 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 520 Nm (383.5 lb-ft) of torque. That figure is 4 hp (3 kW) lower than the diesel-powered LDV, likely the result of different tuning.
The engine is paired exclusively with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox and a BorgWarner four-wheel-drive system featuring a low-range transfer case. Buyers can also specify electronically controlled locking differentials on both axles. MG quotes a towing capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) and a payload between 770 and 870 kg (1,698-1,918 lbs), figures that keep it competitive within the midsize pickup class.
The MGU9 measures 5,500 mm (216.5 inches) long, 2,265 mm (89.2 inches) wide, and 1,874 mm (73.8 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 3,300 mm (129.9 inches). This means it is 130 mm (5.1 inches) longer than the Ford Ranger, with an extra 30 mm (1.2 inches) between the axles.
Pricing And Rivals
The MGU9 is available to pre-order in Australia, with deliveries expected to commence later in 2025. Drive-away pricing starts from AU$ 52,990 (US$ 34,900) for the entry-level Explore, and climbs to AU$ 60,990 (US$ 40,200) for the flagship Explore Pro trim. This means it is only slightly more expensive than the LDV Terron 9 twin that misses out on the multi-link rear suspension and the clever tailgate.
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The new model enters a hotly contested segment dominated by the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, while also facing the Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, VW Amarok, Kia Tasman, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, BYD Shark 6, and GWM Cannon Alpha.
What is interesting is that the MGU9 will soon gain another sibling in another part of the world. The upcoming VW Amarok Hybrid pickup will also share its underpinnings and other bits with the Maxus/LDV Terron 9, although it will use an electrified powertrain and will be produced at the General Pacheco factory in Argentina for South American markets.