Review: 2025 MG U9 Explore Pro

2025 MG U9: A comfort-first dual-cab that quietly challenges the ute status quo

MG has already proven it can win Australian buyers over in the SUV and passenger car space.

The MG U9 is its most ambitious move yet.

Stepping into the dual-cab ute segment, MG is competing where loyalty is fierce, expectations are high, and reputations are hard-earned.

What's immediately clear is that the U9 isn't trying to be a stripped-back workhorse or a race-to-the-bottom price leader.

Instead, MG has taken a deliberate swing at something different: a large, technology-driven dual-cab that prioritises comfort, drivability, and modern usability - without giving up the core capability Aussie ute buyers demand.

For Brisbane and South East Queensland drivers, that approach makes a lot of sense.

A ute built for how people actually drive in SEQ

Most dual-cabs spend far more time on suburban roads and highways than they do on worksites or tracks. MG has clearly designed the U9 with that reality in mind.

The first thing you notice is the size. The U9 is one of the biggest utes in the segment, with a wide stance and long wheelbase that give it real road presence. In Brisbane traffic, that translates into stability rather than intimidation. On faster roads like the Gateway, it feels planted and confident - not busy or unsettled.

That sense of calm continues inside. The cabin is spacious, modern, and deliberately SUV-like in layout. Dual 12.3-inch digital screens dominate the dash, controls are intuitive, and the driving position is relaxed enough for long stints behind the wheel. Rear-seat space is a genuine strength, making the U9 far easier to live with if you're regularly carrying adults or dealing with child seats.

This is a ute that doesn't punish you for using it every day.

Under the bonnet: torque where it matters

Power comes from a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel producing 160kW and 520Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic. Those numbers matter less than how they're delivered.

In real-world driving, the U9's engine doesn't need to be worked hard. That strong low-down torque makes light work of towing, overtaking, and highway cruising whether you're pulling a trailer out toward the bay or heading north with a van in tow. The eight-speed transmission keeps things smooth and predictable, avoiding the constant gear hunting that can make long drives tiring.

MG has also been smart about the hardware underneath. The U9 uses a BorgWarner intelligent four-wheel drive system offering a significant credibility marker for the new ute. It means the system is designed to actively manage torque distribution, rather than simply switching between crude locked modes.

Every variant gets a rear electronic differential lock, with the flagship Explore Pro adding a front electronic diff lock for that extra difficult terrain.

Software doing the heavy lifting

One of the most modern aspects of the U9 is how configurable it is.

Drivers can independently adjust power delivery, drivetrain behaviour, stability control intervention, and steering assistance. That flexibility allows the ute to feel civilised and relaxed during the week, then more direct and mechanical when conditions demand it.

This means it genuinely suits multiple roles. From commuting, towing, and touring, to the occasional off-road adventure, the U9 feels well within its comfort zone in starring in any of these roles.

Ride quality: a deliberate comfort-first decision

Instead of traditional leaf springs, the MG U9 runs a multi-link independent rear suspension with coil springs. That choice defines how the vehicle feels day to day.

When unladen, the U9 rides with far less bounce and harshness than traditional work-focused dual-cabs. Broken suburban roads, patched bitumen, and longer highway runs are handled with a level of composure that will surprise buyers coming from older ute designs. Let's be honest, unladen is how utes are mostly driven around Brisbane these days.

There is a trade-off. Payload figures are lower than some leaf-sprung rivals. But MG hasn't hidden that - it's a conscious decision to prioritise ride comfort and passenger usability over maximum carrying capacity.

For buyers balancing work duties with family and lifestyle use, it's a trade that makes a lot of sense.

Towing and load practicality

The MG U9 delivers the headline towing numbers buyers expect with a 3,500kg braked towing capacity. That puts it firmly in the same conversation as the established players.

Higher grades add genuinely useful features like tub lighting, cargo slides with hooks, and an electric dual-step tailgate - small touches that make daily use easier.

The optional Smart Hatch mid-gate is particularly clever, allowing long items to extend from the tray into the cabin when needed. It's a feature that suits lifestyle and light trade buyers who don't want permanent roof racks but still need flexibility.

Built for Australian conditions

One of the biggest questions buyers ask about newer ute brands is longevity especially in Queensland's humid, storm-heavy, and often coastal environment.

MG has clearly anticipated that concern. The U9's body construction includes galvanised steel panels, electrophoretic body coating, sealed joints, and cavity wax protection. These aren't buzzwords - they're proven manufacturing techniques designed to slow corrosion and protect hard-to-reach areas over time.

For owners planning to keep their ute long term, tow boats, or regularly travel in coastal areas, this focus on durability is not just reassuring, it's essential.

Connected, convenient, modern

The MG iSMART system adds another layer of everyday convenience. Through a smartphone app, owners can check vehicle status, monitor tyre pressures and range, locate the vehicle, and even run climate control remotely.

In Brisbane summers, being able to cool the cabin before you climb in is a real quality-of-life upgrade. It also positions the U9 closer to modern SUVs than traditional utes when it comes to day-to-day ownership experience.

Who the MG U9 is really for

The MG U9 isn't trying to replace the classic work ute. It's targeting buyers who want genuine capability without sacrificing comfort, technology, and refinement.

It makes the most sense for:

Families wanting a dual-cab that works in daily Brisbane driving
Buyers towing boats, trailers, or caravans who still want a refined cabin
Lifestyle owners who value ride comfort and modern tech
Drivers who want strong value without feeling like they've compromised

If maximum payload is your sole priority, there are better tools for that job. If you want a dual-cab that fits seamlessly into workdays, weekends, and long trips alike, the U9 deserves serious consideration.

See the MG U9 at Motorama MG

At Motorama MG, we spend our days helping Brisbane buyers work through the real questions - payload maths, towing setups, grade differences, and how a ute will actually be used, not just how it looks on paper.

If you're considering the MG U9, come experience it properly. Take it for a drive, compare the variants side by side, and talk through what will work best for your lifestyle.

Book a test drive or explore available MG U9 stock at Motorama MG today.