We’re a long way from the days of the button plan and rampant model redesigns, but there are still some vehicles in Australia that seemingly differ only by the logo on their grilles.
Sure, this was recently introduced LDV Terron 9 and the even younger version MG U9look almost identical inside and out, but this isn’t just a rehash of the old Ford Falcon and Nissan Ute twins, as there are some key differences between these two Chinese-made dual-cab 4x4s that go beyond their badges.
With their launch last year, they entered a highly competitive segment that includes three of the five most popular models in the country. And despite their similar looks, they’re arguably more differentiated than the new Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara, even if they don’t look like it from the outside.
The Terron 9 is currently available for $50,674 drive-away ($47,990 for ABN holders) in the base Origin trim or $55,937 drive-away ($52,990 for ABN holders) in the top-of-the-line Evolve trim. The MG, on the other hand, costs between $52,990 and $60,990 with auto.
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The LDV follows the example of most vans in this segment and features a live rear axle with leaf springs.
While the MG U9 has the same 3500kg braked towing capacity and double wishbone front suspension, it forgoes the Terron 9’s leaf rear suspension and instead features a car-like multi-link independent suspension with coil springs. The BYD Shark 6 is the only other vehicle in this segment to have such a suspension setup.
Both the U9 and Terron 9 use the same eight-speed automatic transmission and 2.5-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine with 520Nm of torque, although MG claims 160kW of power and LDV claims 163kW of power.
LDV specifies a payload between 1005 kg and 1100 kg, while the MGs are significantly lower at 770 kg to 870 kg.
Other key differences between the LDV and MG include different center console and gear lever configurations in the cabin, while unique to a vehicle in this segment, the MG offers highly unusual features such as a panoramic sunroof and a smart hatch that allows you to lower the rear window and eliminate the wall between the tub and the cabin to transport longer items.
The MG also offers a split tailgate design with an integrated step, which is not found on the LDV.
LDV and MG haven’t given any specific sales targets for their duel cars, and it’s still too early to say where the two will fall on the sales charts.
It’s unlikely that either will sell anywhere near the same numbers as the market-leading Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, which each sell over 50,000 units a year.
This includes the Isuzu D-Max (around 25,000-30,000 cars sold per year) and a third range of small cars that find around 15,000-20,000 buyers annually, including the Mitsubishi Triton and the Mazda BT-50.
Last year the BYD Shark 6 advanced to that level, while Kia previously targeted 20,000 annual sales for its Tasman, although recently admitted it will take more than 12 months to reach that target.
The GWM Ute and its Cannon successor (9880 in total) were below the 10,000 mark in 2025, ahead of the Nissan Navara (7249), the Volkswagen Amarok (7249) and the T60 from LDV (4320).
The cheaper T60 represents internal competition for the Terron 9 in LDV showrooms, but the MG has no such handicap. And the U9 is an important part of MG’s previously stated goal of becoming one of the top three car brands here by 2030.
Both are hampered by the lack of a cab/chassis and cheaper rear-wheel drive variants, but that hasn’t stopped the Shark 6 from topping the sales charts.
While both MG and LDV are owned by Chinese giant SAIC Motor, they are sold separately in Australia.
LDV is distributed by independent importer Ateco Automotive, which also distributes the Maserati, Ram and Renault brands locally, where its vehicles are sold through 93 dealers nationwide. The Terron 9 comes with a seven-year, 200,000km warranty, but there is no top-tier maintenance.
MG sells its vehicles in Australia through a network of 118 dealers. The U9 comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty (160,000 km for commercial buyers) and offers service at top prices. If you are a private buyer servicing within the MG network, the warranty increases to seven years and 200,000km.
Below are the first few months of U9 and Terron 9 deliveries. We’ll be watching these two utes closely in 2026 to see how they compare to each other and in the broader segment.
| Month | Terran 9 | U9 |
|---|---|---|
| June | 11 | 0 |
| July | 102 | 0 |
| August | 48 | 0 |
| September | 81 | 0 |
| October | 157 | 141 |
| November | 114 | 163 |
| December | 126 | 168 |
| 2025 total | 639 | 472 |
MORE: Explore the LDV Terron 9 showroom
MORE: Explore the MG U9 showroom
