MG U9 pickup makes debut abroad, could it land in the Philippines soon?

Pickups have always been loved by Filipino buyers, and MG’s first-ever truck could be a tempting new option. MG has launched the 2026 U9, its first dual-cab pickup, in Australia. Prices came out cheaper than earlier estimates, starting with the Explore at $52,990 AUD, which is approximately P2.55M.

The mid-level Explore X is priced at $55,990 AUD, or about P2.69 million, while the top-spec Explore Pro costs $60,990 AUD, or around P2.93M. This makes the U9 slightly more affordable than its LDV Terron 9 cousin and puts it in the same range as the Ford Ranger XL, Isuzu D-MAX LS-M, and Toyota Hilux SR.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 215 hp and 520 Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic and a permanent four-wheel-drive setup. With its 80-liter fuel tank and rated use of 7.9L per 100km, the U9 can travel up to 1,000 km on a full tank.

The U9 uses an independent multi-link rear suspension instead of leaf springs, giving it a smoother ride compared to some rivals. Payload capacity ranges from 770 to 870 kg depending on the variant, while towing stays at 3,500 kg braked capacity, which is standard in the segment.

Inside, the base Explore variant already gets 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, roof rails, dual-zone climate control, and a widescreen setup with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Explore X adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging, and connected services. The top Explore Pro includes leather seats, 64-color ambient lighting, a sunroof, a driver’s side massaging seat, and an eight-speaker JBL audio system.

Safety comes standard with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims add either a surround-view camera or high-definition 360-degree cameras for easier parking.

For off-road trips, all versions come with a low-range transfer case and a locking rear differential. The Explore Pro also gets a front differential lock. Ground clearance measures 220 mm unloaded and 180 mm when fully loaded, with a wading depth of 550 mm.

For now, the U9 is only available in Australia, with deliveries starting soon. But the bigger question is if we’ll also see it in the Philippines. Reports from AutoIndustriya say that MG Motor Philippines could soon enter the local pickup market, with the TRQ (or T90 in global markets) possibly headed our way. If that goes through, the bigger U9 might also be on the table, giving buyers more to choose from in the midsize pickup class. For now, check out the pickups already up for grabs at AutoDeal.com.ph.