Renault Master vs MG Mgu9

What's the difference?

It's only taken the whole decade so far, but the 3.5-tonne van – you know, the really, really big ones ­– has finally been dragged into the 2020s with the latest version of the Renault Master.

Now in its fourth generation since 1980, this oversized box on wheels from France is said to leapfrog all its ageing rivals as a result, including the Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit, LDV Deliver9, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter that all debuted some years ago now.

So, how does France’s big new van fare? And where’s the promised all-electric version? Read on to find out.

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?