MG's first Australian dual-cab ute will soon gain a battery-powered sibling with a 3500kg braked tow rating and 430km claimed range – but not at the same time.
Electric Cars
An electric version of the MG U9 dual-cab ute is coming to Australian showrooms with nearly double the driving range of the latest Toyota HiLux BEV.
Revealed at the Melbourne motor show today, the U9 EV will be the first electric ute sold in Australia by a major manufacturer that is capable of towing the same 3500kg as its diesel counterpart.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but top-of-the-range models may cost more than $70,000 drive-away, given the typical price premium between diesel and electric vehicles – and that the diesel U9 is priced up to $60,990 drive-away.
The U9 EV is closely related to the eTerron 9 from LDV, a sibling brand under Chinese car giant SAIC, much like the close relationship between diesel U9 and Terron 9 dual-cabs.
Differences between the electric versions limited to badges, unique front bumpers, and a revised centre console in the MG.
More important is that MG is months away from launching the U9 EV, while the status of plans for the LDV eTerron 9 in Australia are unclear, after initial estimates of mid-2025, alongside the diesel.
The U9 EV is powered by dual electric motors, 200kW rear and 125kW front, for a combined total of 325kW, government documents show.
It uses a 102kWh battery pack for a claimed unladen driving range of 430km in European WLTP testing in the LDV, compared to up to just 240km in the Toyota HiLux BEV – and 380-420km in the car-derived KGM Musso EV.
Unlike its rivals, the MG U9 EV is rated to tow up to 3500kg, matching its diesel sibling – up from 2000kg in the HiLux.
However, overseas tests of electric utes show driving range is halved when a trailer is attached, or the vehicle is loaded up, with the U9 EV claiming a 685kg payload according to government documents.
More details of the 2026 MG U9 EV, including pricing and full specifications, are due closer to its Australian launch.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
