Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs MG U9

What's the difference?

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is the car you get when you want a sports car but happen to have a kid or two. Its ride comfort is on the lower end but it has heaps of power and enough features that it manages to slide into its price tag without feeling too cheeky. The back seat’s size will limit this to smaller families, though. And I would prefer to see better tech at this grade level, so this gets a 7.1/10 from me.

My son didn’t spend much time in this one but he liked the red paintwork. My mum, however, loved the power and sexy packaging. She gives it an 8/10.

The MG U9 Explore Pro has genuinely surprised us. It’s not without quirks as some safety tech can be annoying, and it’s a bit thirstier than expected but it’s a solid, practical family ute with great features, and capable 4x4 performance. Stylish, comfortable, and still relatively affordable, I like this one a lot.

While the Veloce has had a facelift, the changes are so minor I would dare to ask, why bother?

The daytime running light signature has been tweaked but only die-hard Stelvio fans will notice it. I do like the larger 12.3-inch digital instrument display but surprisingly the multimedia screen remains on the smaller side at 8.8 inches.

Otherwise, there’s no denying the Veloce looks like an Alfa Romeo, staying true to its Italian heritage. It’s solid, with a 1903mm wide stance, but so robust that it moves away from words like 'sleek' or 'sexy'.

The black grille, 20-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers make it look sports car mean and hint at what's under the bonnet.

The interior looks well made and it's got a bat cave element with the black headliner and panoramic sunroof. There's a plethora of soft touchpoints throughout and the circular air-vents found in both rows add some flair.

Overall, though, the interior is understated and if you’re looking for something as flashy as the exterior, you may be disappointed.

At 5.5 metres long and with a bonnet that seems to stretch on forever, the MG U9 wouldn’t look out of place lined up alongside American ute giants. It’s big, bold and unapologetically muscular. So, if you’re into that tough, road-dominating look, this one’s right up your alley. The bonus, though, is that it’s not quite as massive as its Yankee cousins, so you get all the presence without the parking anxiety (well, you'll get some).

The front end makes a statement with its huge LED lighting signature and chunky 20-inch alloys, while the squared-off stance and flared guards give it that “ready for anything” vibe. Which helps sell the idea that this ute looks built to take on the world, whether that’s a muddy trail or a suburban carpark.

Step inside and the cabin continues the theme. Every design element builds on the tough exterior aesthetic, from the wide, supportive seats and oversized centre console to the panoramic sunroof and expansive dual media displays that wrap around the driver’s view.

I love the gear shifter design because it looks like the throttle of a jet and has a really satisfying hand feel. There’s even a thoughtful safety feature, with a window breaker tool that's tucked neatly under the lid of the centre console. It’s one of those features you hope never to need, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.

Overall, the U9’s cabin feels modern and impressively put together, with good textures, soft-touch materials, and just enough flair to keep it interesting.

The front row benefits the most in terms of space and features. I have stacks of headroom and legroom in the front seat and didn’t feel like I was too close to my passenger this week.

I like the comfortable electric seats and the fact you can adjust the side bolsters and under-thigh support.

Individual storage options are on the slim side throughout the car and it was something my mum and I found annoying on our road trip because there aren’t a lot of spots to put your little items up front. Think snacks, sunglasses, lip balm etc.

The two cupholders are really drink bottle holders because they’re too large to fit a small takeaway cup without popping the lid off but I like the large storage bins in each front door.

It's a tight squeeze in the back seat for my 168cm (5'6") height and that’s behind my driving position! It could feel a tad cramped back there for those with longer legs.

It’s also a bit awkward getting in and out of the back seat because of the large wheel arches.

The storage bins in the doors are too small to hold a drink bottle but the middle armrest has two cupholders and a phone holder.

Charging options are fantastic up front with two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad to choose from. You even get an 'aux' jack, too.

The amenities in the back seat are okay and you get a couple of net map pockets, reading lights, a USB-A and C port, as well as directional air vents.

This Alfa has a no-nonsense approach with the other tech, though. I usually don’t mind that but the touchscreen multimedia system is a little too no-nonsense for this spec-level.

I found it to be laggy and too small. It also regularly turned itself off and rebooted. This happened a few times while needing satellite navigation directions, which was annoying.

Also on the sat nav, you can’t search for a general name of something, like a business, you have to input an address which meant using my iPhone anyway. It’s great that you get wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though.

The digital instrument panel looks upmarket but isn’t properly customisable and I was disappointed the ambient lighting package only meant that there are lights in the footwells and a tiny overhead light. Adding some extra lighting would have transformed the night-time driving experience.

The boot is the highlight for me because you get a decent capacity at 499L. The load space is level and I like the back row's 40/20/40 split-fold. We had plenty of room on our road trip for luggage and shopping.

You get a temporary spare tyre and a retractable cargo blind. The latter is stiff enough to double as a shelf which is handy and a handsfree powered tailgate comes standard, as well.

The MG U9 Explore Pro offers plenty of cabin space, and it’s easy to get comfortable in both rows. Even with a full load of passengers, you never feel cramped, which is commendable in this segment. Despite its 220mm ground clearance, getting in and out is easy thanks to wide door apertures, sturdy grab handles, and handy side steps. You might still need to give little ones a hand, but my exuberant nine-year old loves hopping in and out (sometimes even via the tray window).

The doors themselves can feel a bit heavy to open when you’re parked on a slope. Inside, each door has an ‘easy-open’ button instead of a traditional handle. Listen, it’s a cool touch, though arguably a bit over-engineered for a ute. Just remember, the exterior door buttons aren’t for keyless entry, they’re also easy-open switches, so you’ll still need the key fob to lock the vehicle.

Seat comfort is excellent. The powered front seats are well-padded with long bases and heating, while the driver scores the ultimate setup with ventilation and massage functions. The second-row bench is firmer but still comfortable for longer journeys. Families will find two ISOFIX and top-tether anchor points, though using a rearward-facing child seat might be tricky if you’re on the shorter side.

There are enough storage options throughout the car to keep the cabin looking neat. Up front, there’s a shallow glovebox, long door bins with mini shelves, and a large centre console with a sliding top tray. The centre console also houses a wireless charging pad, USB-A and USB-C ports, and the car’s only 12-volt socket, plus two cupholders and a dedicated phone slot.

In the back, there are deep map pockets, door bins with bottle holders, and two cupholders in the fold-down armrest. Rear passengers also get directional air vents, USB-A and C ports, and heated outboard seats which is a nice feature in this class.

Up front, the dashboard features a curved panoramic display combining dual 12.3-inch screens. The media system’s touchscreen is responsive and easy enough to use, though some functions (including seat controls) are buried in menus. Thankfully, you can customise the homepage with shortcuts to your most-used features. The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and an Amazon Music app (though you’ll need an Amazon Prime subscription to use it).

A digital rearview mirror is standard in this grade and while you can revert back to a regular mirror, it defaults to 'on' every time you get in the car. It's annoying that you have to find the hidden button on the mirror and change it each time you want to drive somewhere.

As for the tray, it’s big enough for a standard pallet and offers a 770kg payload capacity. The spray-on liner, full-size spare wheel, and powered tailgate come standard, while the Explore Pro’s built-in tailgate step (rated to 170kg) is a genuinely useful addition. There are several tie-down points, including some on a track system, plus a single tray light for when you’re loading up after dark.

The MG U9 arrives with a line-up of three grades, and we’re testing the flagship Explore Pro, which wears a sharp price tag of $60,990 before on-road costs.

That positions it against other value-focused Chinese utes like the LDV Terron 9 Evolve, which shares similar underpinnings (and even some exterior shaping) but undercuts the MG with its $58,937 drive-away price tag. There’s also the GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra, slightly more affordable again at $57,490 drive-away.

The similarly sized Foton Tunland has just arrived and the flagship V9-S undercuts them all at $49,990 before on-roads.

However, I’d argue the Explore Pro’s mix of genuine adventure capability and well-executed premium features makes it feel like the better-value option overall.

Standard equipment is generous, with leather upholstery, powered front seats, heated front and rear outboard seats, and even ventilation and massage functions for the driver. The powered tailgate includes a built-in step rated to 170kg, and there’s also a full-size spare wheel.

Tech and comfort highlights extend to dual 12.3-inch displays, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, digital rearview mirror, and an eight-speaker JBL premium sound system.

Connectivity is just as comprehensive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, AM/FM radio, an Amazon Music app, over-the-air updates, USB ports, and built-in satellite navigation. All of these features combine to give the U9 a surprisingly high-end feel for the price.

Our test vehicle also includes the optional ‘Smart Hatch’ package, which adds $5490 to the price. It brings a powered rear window (a feature my kid absolutely adores), along with folding rear seats and a folding rear hatch, allowing you to extend the load space beyond the tray, which is a clever touch for families and weekend adventurers alike.

The Veloce has a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that gives a maximum power output of 206kW and 400Nm of torque. It’s an all-wheel drive and has an eight-speed auto transmission which is very smooth. 

Checking out the specs I didn’t think this would be as powerful as it is. But it’s really fun when you need to put your foot down! I mean, it can go from 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds.

All MG U9 grades come with a 4x4 drivetrain and share the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 160kW of power and 520Nm of torque. That’s competitive for the segment and supports a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, which is right in line with most of the established players.

The eight-speed automatic transmission features low-range gearing, multiple terrain modes, and front and rear differential locks, so there’s plenty here to keep off-road enthusiasts happy. However, its ground clearance and wading depth (220mm and 550mm, respectively) are on the lower side compared with some rivals, which might limit just how far you’ll want to push it off the beaten track.

The official combined cycle fuel economy figure is 7.0L/100km and my real-world usage came to 8.4L/100km.

I drove our test model hard but did A LOT of open road driving - 2051km to be exact - so I was happy with the average but I would expect it to be higher in the city.

Based on the official combined cycle number and 64L fuel tank, you theoretically should be able to get a driving range of around 914km but my real-world tests see that figure come in closer to 700km.

Alfa Romeo recommends a minimum 95 RON petrol be used for the Stelvio.

The Explore Pro has a claimed combined fuel consumption of 7.9L/100km, and with its 80L fuel tank, that gives a theoretical range of up to 1012km. In real-world use which includes school runs, grocery trips, and a longer highway stint, our results were a touch thirstier than expected at 9.4L/100km and that's not even carrying a serious load. Still, for a fully equipped 4x4 ute, its not terrible.

The Veloce is downright fun to drive because of how damn responsive it is. There is plenty of power, so much so, that you’ll look forward to hitting the open road. 

The sporty steering makes for sharp handling and the car moves decisively. I have felt confident all week that it would do what I wanted it to do. It's wide stance also makes it hug the road like an old friend.

However, the suspension is also sporty, aka firm! The padded seats help soften the impact when you hit a bump but you’ll still know it when you hit one. There's also a resonating 'ker-thump' in the cabin, in case you didn't feel it.

The big thing that marred the driving experience for me, at least for a longer trip, is how loud road and wind noise are at higher speeds. It’s loud enough that you need to raise your voice to talk, which I didn’t enjoy.

The Veloce earns back points with how easy it is to park and it handles those stupidly small hotel car parks extremely well.

I don't rate the reversing camera, though. The quality of the image is terrible for this grade-level.

The Explore Pro delivers decent power with minimal lag when accelerating from a standstill, though you’ll want to ease off the throttle a bit as the tyres can slip if you’re too enthusiastic. There’s a real sense of deep power reserves, making it easy to maintain speed on hills without feeling strained.

Handling is impressive with steering that feels well-balanced - not too light, not too firm. The suspension is forgiving while still providing enough feedback to keep you confident on the road. Corners are tackled with minimal body roll, which is reassuring in a vehicle of this size.

For a diesel, the cabin is quieter than expected, though wind and road noise creep in at higher speeds. Around town, it delivers a surprisingly refined experience.

Visibility is a bit mixed. The higher seating position gives a commanding view out front, but the thick B-pillars and the digital rearview mirror can occasionally hinder your sight lines.

Being a long vehicle at 5.5 metres, paired with a 13.3-metre turning circle, means you sometimes need to be selective about parking. Ramps can be fun to do… or embarrassing if you misjudge your angle and it's often easier and safer to back into a space. The 360-degree camera system is excellent and makes manoeuvring a lot less stressful, though.

The MG U9 carries a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2024 testing, though it’s based on results from the Maxus eTerron 9, an overseas electric ute. Our Explore Pro comes with seven airbags, including a front centre airbag and curtain airbags covering both rows which is a reassuring setup for a family vehicle.

The list of safety features is extensive with blind-spot monitoring, forward and rear collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, and hill descent control all included.

However, some systems can feel overly intrusive. The biggest culprits are traffic sign recognition, lane keeping aid, and the driver monitoring system, which deliver physical alerts via a shuddering steering wheel and audible warnings. While you can customise a driving profile to mute or disable some of these features, it must be activated every time you start the car, which can be a little annoying in daily use.

The adaptive cruise control is okay to use when there's low traffic but otherwise, it's best to leave it off.

There's autonomous emergency braking with car, cyclist, pedestrian and motorcycle detection and it's operational from 8.0 - 140km/h but it's typical to see that range begin from 5.0 to 180km/h at least.

The ongoing costs aren’t too shabby on the Stelvio because it comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and you also get five years roadside assistance.

It’s a 24/7 complimentary service that covers a host of items but check out the terms and conditions for more information.

There’s capped priced servicing for five years or up to 75,000km, whichever occurs first.

Services cost an average of $573, which is competitive for the class and servicing intervals are good at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.

The MG U9 comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which can be extended to seven years or up to 200,000km if you service the vehicle through MG directly. There’s also a five-year pre-paid servicing program, with total servicing costs of $2395, which is reasonable for this segment.

Services are conveniently spaced at 12-month intervals or every 15,000km, whichever comes first, making maintenance straightforward and predictable.