EVs have come a long way in a short time.
Many electric cars have price parity with petrol cars, and now electric utes can go stride for stride with diesel workhorses… at least in some areas.
-
EV sales are booming in Australia, including 2026 BYD Atto 1, Geely EX2 and Zeekr 7X, but charging infrastructure and access must improve: EVC report
-
New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is giving buyers cheaper EV choice like 2026 BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2 but isn't driving demand, according to experts
-
2026 MG4 Urban now starts at less than $30,000 with new drive-away offer to undercut GAC Aion UT, BYD Dolphin
On paper it has the razzle to get your attention and on the showroom floor it has the dazzle to get you to sign on the dotted line.
2026 MG U9 EV price, towing, payload, driving range and more
There is only one variant to choose from, priced at $78,990 (before-on road costs), which is about the same as the new electric Toyota HiLux BEV.
The U9 EV sits on a rugged ladder-frame chassis, which is the same type of underpinnings used by the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and more.
A max towing capacity of 3500kg is something no other electric ute can do and showcases its diesel-matching capability.
The HiLux BEV can only muster 2000kg, and even the standard plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 can only pull up to 2500kg.
Payload is underwhelming at just 685kg, which means there isn’t much load-lugging capacity if you have a full complement of passengers on board.
At its heart is an enormous 102kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a driving range of up to 430km, according to the benchmark WLTP test cycle.
It can absorb up to 115kW via a DC connector, which isn’t express and will take 42 minutes to fill the battery from 20 to 80 per cent. It can suck up a max 11kW of AC juice, which will take about 12 hours to fully recharge.
Four-wheel-drive grip comes from two electric motors that pump out a combined 325kW and 700Nm. This is good enough to propel it from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds, which puts it in Ranger Raptor territory.
It's an on-road warrior
There are no diff locks, high and low gears and it can only wade up to just 550mm. It does have good ground clearance at 230mm, which can be increased via plush air suspension. Approach and departure angles are 29- and 25-degrees, which is ok.
MG claims the U9 EV is a lifestyle vehicle, which is code for a vehicle that won’t tackle the harshest off-road tracks but feels more at home around town and on light adventure duties on weekends. So it fits the brief.
On the road it is a capable performer, with a groundswell of torque delivering urgent shove when called upon.
The U9 EV has ditched the leaf springs found in conventional load luggers for a more sophisticated multilink set-up that helps it feel more SUV like on the road.
Steering is well weighted and direct, again it feels more like an SUV to steer than a ute.
One thing the U9 EV can’t hide is its bulk. It feels enormous on the road, more so than even super-sized American utes.
There is good seat and steering wheel adjustment to help you find a comfy driving position. Vision is compromised out the front, with it hard to see over the giant square bonnet. It made traversing bumpy ground and short descents difficult.
Luckily it has an array of sensors and cameras to help you navigate tight spots and rough terrain.
It barely cracked a sweat doing a short tow test with a light caravan weighing under a tonne.
As with many Chinese electric cars, safety tech is overbearing with plenty of beeps and bongs. It isn’t the worst I’ve experienced but still not ideal.
2026 MG U9 practicality is off the charts
The U9 EV is plenty practical, with several 220-volt powerpoints in the tray to help you charge your tools, power appliances and campsite.
A front cargo space (or frunk) under the bonnet holds up to 236L, which means ute owners finally have a spot to put their shopping that won’t scramble the eggs on the way home. And a full-size spare is standard.
Step inside and the cabin is not too shabby, either.
The first thing you notice is there are actually buttons and dials on the dashboard and steering wheel, giving you tactile control over climate, multimedia and driving assist functions, which is a welcome break from the minimalist interior craze of the past few years.
Passengers are greeted by leather-wrapped seats up front that are power adjustable, heated, with the driver’s seat ventilated and offering a massage function. The steering wheel is heated and the rear seats are covered in synthetic leather.
There's a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a driver display of the same size. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sat-nav and an eight-speaker JBL stereo are all standard. There is LED lighting front and back, 64-colour ambient lighting inside, dual-zone air conditioning, wireless device charger, two USB-A and USB-C charging ports and over-the-air update capabilities.
2026 MG U9 ownership and safety
The U9 EV is a commercial vehicle so isn’t eligible for MG’s conditional 10-year warranty. Instead it can bump its standard five-year guarantee up to seven years/160,000km if serviced with an MG dealer every scheduled workshop visit. A service is due every 24 months/30,000km and the price for 10 years of logbook services is $2755.
Safety is comprehensive with all the boxes ticked, including:
- Auto emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear collision warning
- Door opening warning
- Driver monitoring system
- 7 airbags
- 360 degree camera
Front and rear parking sensors
Related cars for sale on CarsGuide
See more MG U9s for sale View cars for saleMG U9 2026: EV
| Engine Type | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | |
| Seating | 0 |
| Price From | $78,990 |
Verdict
The MG U9 EV’s towing capacity, front cargo space and air suspension are highlights, and its fitout and driving style make it feel more SUV like than a ute.
But with no affordable, stripped-out version in the line-up, its low payload and question marks around driving range when called upon to do hard work, the U9 EV slips down the rankings.
It is undoubtedly a competent machine that fills a niche in the Aussie new-car market, and the pick of the litter if you are on the hunt for an electric ute.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer with meals provided.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
