With such a strong presence in the Australasian new car market, it was inevitable MG would venture into other segments which many Kiwis, and Aussies for that matter, hold dear. The Ute for instance.
While the idea of an MG badge adorning the front of a vehicle capable of towing more than three tonnes, sauntering up hillsides and devouring rough terrain would likely have been scoffed at a generation ago, late last year saw the New Zealand launch of just that.
We naturally associate the new MG brand with fuel frugal and zero emission urban SUVs and hatchbacks, so to see a Ute join the stable is something entirely new altogether.
It’s called the MG U9 and it seems the Chinese owned company is dead set on getting stuck into one of the most fiercely contested new cars segments on offer. Let’s see if the U9 has the capabilities to sway the Ranger and Hilux faithful into something a bit different.
The U9 consists of three trim levels, the entry level Explore at $60,990, the mid-range $63,990 Explore X and range topping Explore Pro at $68,990. This is very well priced when you begin to “explore” the list of what you get for your coin.
Stylistically there is a lot the U9 shares with the LDV Terron 9, which is hardly surprising as they share the same underpinnings. While the LDV seems to really embrace the utilitarian stance of a Ute, the U9’s wide front grill, vertical headlights with L-shapes DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) and black accents provide a more refined and polished looking stance.
There are also plenty of clean-cut lines and sharp angles. Also, with that massive chrome front grill, it does have a whiff of the “US of A” about it, especially when you factor in its overall size. From end to end, its 5500mm long and 1997mm wide (excluding the wing mirrors), making the U9 30mm longer than a Ford Ranger and 225mm longer than the Toyota Hilux. It’s a big fella no doubt, but it certainly has presence.
All models come with a 2.5L turbo diesel four-cylinder engine married to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Power sits at 160kW and torque at a decent 520Nm. This power and torque combo means the U9 is good for a claimed towing capacity of 3500kg and multi-link suspension.
The latter is another feature which distinguishes the U9 from its LDV sister car, means any towing time will feel rather more car-like, but more on the handling and ride characteristics in a bit.
The MG U9 tips the scales with a kerb weight of 2550kg, sports 220mm of ground clearance and can return a combined fuel consumption figure of 7.9L/100km.
After you hoist yourself up, you find the cabin ambience certainly to be more SUV like mixed with subtle rugged utility. MG have pulled out the stops to provide a premium err about the U9’s cabin and things like the steering wheel, dash fascia and generous amount of storage bins seem, it’s difficult to miss a link to some American built trucks of recent years.
What is also certainly difficult to miss is the centre mounted gear selector, resembling a mix between an aircraft throttle lever and the limb of something belonging to Skynet (Terminator references here). Contrary to appearance, it doesn’t require a firm tug to engage Drive or Reverse, in fact an assertive index finger does it just fine.
The seats do feel rather plush and, in my Explore Pro were heated and ventilated. The drivers seat even has a built-in massage function. Standard tech includes a 12.3” touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, built-in Sat Nav, and whole raft of active safety features to name a few.
The Explore Pro gets additives like a streaming rear view mirror which displays an image of what is behind you, leather trim, a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch canyon grey alloys, heated steering wheel, trailer reversing assist, electric tailgate, wireless phone charging and a JBL 8-speaker premium audio system.
What better way to test the U9’s 879kg load carrying capability than to load up with 42 1.8m fence palings? My family and I were getting stuck into a fence building project at home, and I had an ideal vehicle for the job. They had to be stacked diagonally but it worked well.
I also loved a feature built into the tailgate itself. Press a button and out pops a panel which you can then fold down to reveal a built-in step, ideal for hopping aboard the deck to make loading up easier.
While not fitted to my test car, the U9 will also have something called a “Smart Access Hatch.” This allows the rear separating the deck from the rear seats to fold down to vastly increase carrying capacity to a gargantuan 1600L. Some 2.4m sheets of timber would no doubt fit easily with this option box ticked.
Get underway and yes, its girth does shrink around you once you are up and running. While you do have a 360-degree surround view camera, it does feel a tad cumbersome in tight spaces, especially as I found navigating some tight car parks. However, this is a small trade off for once you are moving, the U9 is comfortable and handles well, feeling balanced and far more car-like than you may think.
The steering may be slightly lacking in feedback but still manages to feel light and direct. Motorway driving suits the U9 rather well. Shift up into eight gear and ease off the power and you can devour miles in comfort.
Also, one thing I found worth mentioning is the U9 always seems to default to Eco drive mode on start-up so having to change it to Normal mode every time could get a tad annoying. The again, with the ever-increasing price of fuel these days, maybe it’s a good thing.
When the time comes to partake in a smattering of off-road enjoyment, the U9 is well-equipped for the task. As standard you have front, centre and rear locking differentials, downhill descent control, mud/snow/sand drive modes and MG’s “Off Road Expert” tech which serves up features like a transparent chassis view of the terrain, craw control and wading centre which shows just how close you can plunge to the maximum 550mm wading depth.
While the standing water surrounding the Waimakariri riverbed just north of Christchurch weren’t exactly raging torrents, the U9 took it all in its stride with and meaty distribution of torque, you were never without momentum. I also found it to be quite playful in deep ruts, sandy inclines and coarse gravel. The U9 made me giggle on occasion as historically, this kind of motoring would not be advisable in something with an MG badge.
So, will the MG U9 be able to make a big enough dent, figuratively speaking, in the Ute sector? Well time will tell on the that front, however in terms of its capabilities and as an all-round workhorse and off-road plaything, it is mighty impressive. I wouldn’t be surprised if the U9 starts to become a rather familiar sight on Kiwi roads soon.
RATING: 8/10
