MG Mgu9 vs Toyota HiLux

What's the difference?

There’s another ute in town, and this time it’s from MG. The new MG U9 is offered in three grades, and we’re family-testing the flagship Explore Pro.

It lands with a seriously impressive list of standard equipment and the promise of genuine off-road ability. But it’s clear MG isn’t just dipping a toe into the dual-cab market, it’s diving right in.

Does this newcomer have what it takes to challenge the segment heavyweights, or does it need to prove its toughness before earning the trust of Aussie ute fans?

The ninth-generation Toyota HiLux is not really a new HiLux in the true sense of the word, but there’s enough going on with it to have generated plenty of excitement in the ute-loving public.

This ‘new’ HiLux, in essence, is an update but it’s an update with substance: the HiLux now sports a new retro design, new interior layout, new suspension tune (softer rated springs and dampers for improved on-road comfort) – and it even has an electric park brake now.

So, with no major mechanical upgrades, is this HiLux enough of an improvement over past iterations to warrant your attention?