We put the MG U9 Explore Pro to the test—big, bold and packed with features, but how does it perform where it counts?
Always keen to test new unchartered waters, I was tasked with the privilege of putting the all new MGU9-Explore Pro to the test. I had fun times in the two weeks I had it seeing what it could do.
Fresh off the boat and waiting patiently in the car park, it was hard not to miss my new ride standing out of the crowd in ‘The Mighty Warriors’ (Riverstone) metallic blue. The models are available in six colour variants.
My first reaction was it was a lot – a lot of truck parked in the carpark. The U9 is a very plus-size model, with an American pickup stance about it.
The Explore Pro model that I had my hands on is the top of the three variants MG Motors are bringing into New Zealand, being priced at $68,990. The other two consist of the Explore X ($63,990) and Explore (60,990). Prices include GST but not on road costs.
On the inside
In a hurry to get across Auckland and beat the traffic, I pushed a few buttons, and we were off figuring out how the gadgets worked as we drove. Sitting behind the wheel you don’t feel crammed in. It’s the first ute I haven’t had the seat rolled as far back as it’ll go as I would normally, so if you’re a bigger human, you’ll enjoy the space.
The faux leather interior is heated for all passengers on those cooler mornings (or all day for your bad back). The driver’s seat also cools and has a little man built into the back of the seat with different modes to massage your back, with similar feels to kids in the back sticking their feet into the back of your seat. A heated steering wheel was also a treat for the hands too. The top-of-the-line model also sported a panoramic sunroof.
A big digital dash lights the place up, and with what seems pretty run-of-the-mill tech for today’s vehicles, nothing seemed to stand out too much. The 360-degree camera system has a nice clear view right around the wagon, which self activates in tight spots or at the touch of a button.
One feature I really didn’t like was the rear-view mirror was actually a rear-view camera – it really irritated the old-school driver in me for the fact I couldn’t use it like a traditional mirror to look back in the cab.
For a minute I thought my wife was riding with me, but no, it was just the U9 endlessly telling me to concentrate on the road ahead (some may say I’m very aware of what everyone around me is doing). To turn this and the lane control assist off, you have to dig though the settings and turn it off, all to have it come back on after the vehicle re-starts. It’s a lot of admin most modern vehicles have for something I feel is quite a counterproductive safety feature, especially on open country roads, in my opinion. A button on the steering wheel like a few others have to turn it off would suffice.
Senses baffled
The 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine punches 160kw and 520Nm through an eight-speed automatic transmission, although my first feelings about it were that it didn’t go that well. I came to realise the quietness in the cab and comfort of the full coil suspension (no traditional leaf sprung rear end) stealthy disguised how quick we were actually going – a nice quiet set of road tyres also baffled my senses.
Effective features
Turning heads, it was a hot topic on any new worksite I turned up to. One person commented that a flaw in the design could be the one-piece body, with no ability to swap out the well side for a tray or deck – something for future design maybe.
I did really like a few simple but effective features in the tray. The biggest piece of ingenuity was the fold out step from the tailgate (Smart Hatch Midgate in technical terms), which was really handy for easy access. Work lights in the rear of the cab are activated by the tailgate and light up the big tray space in the dark, and tie-down points in the deck are also plentiful.
Smart multi-link rear coil sprung suspension and the 3500kg tow rating was something I was keen to put to work. Hooking up our 3.5-tonne digger trailer is always a good test. I selected ‘Tow Mode’ in the MG and we were off.
With not as much pep in its step as I had imagined, it seemed to ride nice and not get thrown around the rough country roads like some others do. The 20-inch rims were running a good quality Continental brand tyre and most likely helped it stick to the road.
The U9 pulled in and out of a challenging freshly metalled driveway dragging the big trailer with ease. You just need to select the appropriate drive mode to suit the terrain you’re on.
Sand mode
Keen for a barbie breakfast and a fish on the west coast at Muriwai, we loaded up and with Sand Mode activated, headed along a local track to our favourite spot. With having had no rain for some time, the sand was soft and a really good test for the truck. Running full-pressure on-road tyres, it was impressive where it climbed.
Boosting around some tricky dunes was fun until I couldn’t reverse out of a hill climb I had stopped in. The U9 was bogged down and wouldn’t back out.
My first thoughts was to get a tow rope out to haul it out, but a quick brainstorm and me selecting 4W-Low and the ute easily popped up and out of the trenches I had dug.
A totally different torque range changed the dynamics of where the U9 went – it became even more lively and blasted around wherever it was pointed. Driving down to our fishing spot, I had it working hard on the top side of the beach, but the ute handled the terrain like a walk in the park.
For a vehicle I didn’t take much of a shine to in the beginning, the MGU9 seemed to grow on me over the two weeks and 1600 kilometres we shared. Go try one for yourself.
For more information, contact mgmotor.co.nz
MGU9 specifications
| Engine | 2.5L turbo diesel |
| Max power | 160kW |
| Max torque | 520Nm |
| Wheels | 18” Alloy wheels |
| Suspension | Independent Multi-Link |
| Tub capacity | 1200L |
| Other features | |
| 12.3” Infotainment Screen | |
| Reverse Camera | |
| Electrically Adjustable, Heated Door Mirrors | |
| PVC Leather Interior | |
| Driver’s 6-Way Electric Adjustable Seat | |
| 6-Speaker Sound System | |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connection |
Images by Brook Harland
