Ute News

The JAC T9 EV Dual-Cab 4x4 ute has been slotted into a real-world trial with WA-based mining services provider, Warrikal, to examine its performance in one of the harshest work environments in the country.

Ford Ranger Black edition makes a return for 2025

MG’s first ute in Australia, the U9, is set to launch in September to take on the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.When it does land here it will come with an Aussie-specific multi-link suspension setup that the brand says will suit our roads and increase comfort.This is a big difference to the LDV Terron 9 which is essentially the same ute under the skin. Both LDV and MG are owned by China's SAIC Motor.The LDV Terron 9, on the other hand, has rear leaf springs. Many utes come with this type of suspension due to the affordability, strength and load-carrying capacity. However, leaf springs aren’t known for their ride comfort and on-road dynamics.With the MG U9's more sophisticated rear multi-link setup, it has been benchmarked locally.“We researched the Australian market significantly for our MG U9 product, and we share Australia’s love for the outdoor, sport and adventure lifestyle, but often the utes they drive just don’t offer the comfort they want or deserve,” said MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao.“I wanted to offer a ute with no compromise on driving comfort or capability. And, we’ve done this by engineering our multi-link rear suspension platform specifically for the demands of our local drivers”.Multi-link suspension is typically used in SUVs and cars for the better ride and on-road dynamics it offers, however it generally doesn't offer as much load-carrying capability.The MG U9 won't be the first ute to feature a rear multi-link setup in Australia. The BYD Shark 6 features this kind of rear suspension, though it only has a braked towing capacity of 2500kg.Despite having a rear multi-link setup, the MG U9 will still offer a segment benchmark braked towing capacity of 3500kg, like the leaf-sprung LDV Terron 9, as well as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.The MG U9 will be offered solely in a dual-cab body style and use the same platform as the Terron 9 with a ladder-frame chassis and four-wheel drive.Under the bonnet is a 2.5 litre turbo-diesel engine making 164kW, which is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.A hybrid version of the U9 is likely to follow after the launch of the diesel variant, with the possibility of a fully electric model coming later.Pricing and more detailed specifications for the MG U9 have yet to be announced. However, prospective Australian buyers are now able to pre-order the U9 through MG dealers.The U9 will arrive following MG's successful rise in Australia off the back of popular models such as the MG3 hatch, MG ZS SUV and affordable electric vehicles such as the MG4 and Terron 9.

Ram predicts its latest big ute will be a best-seller in its range.

Sorry, Swifties. While we appreciate the cultural phenomenon that is singer/songwriter, artist and philanthropist Taylor Swift, this is not a paean to a great pop star, but, rather, a reference to the year that marked Japan’s stellar ascension as the biggest threat to the established carmakers of that time. Their fear was existential as well as actual.

The biggest threat to the established ute order might be from a brand which currently doesn't have one.

Budget Korean 4x4s get major upgrades

Hyundai looks increasingly likely to forge its own path when it comes to its now-confirmed mid-size ute, with the brand's Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival to ditch diesel in favour of petrol and electrification to secure sales both in Australia and the USA.

Chinese carmakers like BYD are starting to take over market share globally and established players are starting to feel the crunch.

Where does the Kia Tasman go from here? Is having a conventional diesel engine as the sole choice enough to run with the best-sellers? Should the Tasman follow the lead of the Ranger Raptor by going down the off-road performance path, to create a halo model for the rest of the range to bask beneath? Or is going hybrid the answer? The answer may shock you!