We’re a long way from the days of the Button plan and rampant model rebadging, but there are still some vehicles in Australia that appear to differ only in the logo on their grilles.
Sure, the recently launched LDV Terron 9 and the even more recently launched MG U9look almost identical inside and out, but this isn’t just a redux of the old Ford Falcon and Nissan Ute twins as there are some key differences between these two Chinese-made dual-cab 4×4 utes beyond their badges.
Launched last year, they’ve entered a hotly competitive segment that contains three of the top five most popular models in the country. And despite their similar appearances, they’re arguably more differentiated than the new Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara, even if they don’t look it from the outside.
The Terron 9 is currently on sale for $50,674 drive-away ($47,990 ABN holders) in base Origin trim or $55,937 drive – away ($52,99 For ABD holders), in top-spec Evolve guise. On the other hand, The MG costs between $52,990 and $60,990 drive-away for its price.
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The LDV follows the example of most utes in this segment, featuring a live rear axle with leaf springs.
While the MG U9 boasts the same 3500kg braked towing capacity and double-wishbone front suspension, it ditches the Terron 9’s leaf rear suspension setup for a car-like multi-link independent rear 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 are identical with 8 speed automatic transmissions used by both of them, and 2 is also a eight-speed automatic Transmission. A 5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine is 520Nm of torque, but MG quotes 160kW of power and LDV 163kW.
LDV quotes a payload of between 1005kg and 1100kg, while the MG’s is considerably lower at 770kg-870kg.
Unlike the LDV and MG, other features of the cabin’s centre console and gear shifter configurations are in the ML; for example, this segment has very unusual features such as a panoramic sunroof with – Smart Hatch which allows you to lower the rear window and drop the wall between the tub and the cockpit to carry longer items.
The MG also offers a split tailgate design with an integrated step, something not found on the LDV.
LDV and MG have not stated any specific sales targets for their duelling utes, so it’s too soon to say where the two will be on the sales charts.
It’s unlikely either will sell anywhere near the same volumes as the market-leading Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, which are each good for over 50,000 annual sales.
Below these sits the Isuzu D-Max (around 25,000-30,000 annual sales), plus a third tier of utes that find around 15,000-20,000 buyers annually, including the Mitsubishi Triton and Mazda BT-50.
Last year, the BYD Shark 6 vaulted up to this tier, while Kia has previously targeted 20,000 annual sales for its Tasman, though recently conceded it will take more than 12 months to achieve this.
Sitting under the 10,000 mark in 2025 were the GWM Ute and its Cannon successor (9880 in total), ahead of the Nissan Navara (7249), Volkswagen Amarok (7249), and LDV’s T60 (4320).
LDV showrooms The cheaper T60 represents internal competition for the Terron 9 within its own lines, but the MG has no such handicap. MG’s stated goal of becoming a top-three auto brand here by 2030 is to be based on the U9, and that it was part of its long-held ambition.
Neither the Shark 6 has been vaulted up the sales charts, but Hindering both is that there are no cab/chassis and cheaper rear-wheel drive variants of these models.
While both MG and LDV are owned by Chinese giant SAIC Motor, they’re distributed separately in Australia.
Independent importer Ateco Automotive, which also operates the Maserati, Ram and Renault brands locally, distributes LDV; its vehicles are sold through 93 dealerships nationwide. It supports the Terron 9 with a seven-year, 200,000km warranty but does not provide capped-price service.
The company MG sells its vehicles itself in Australia, through a network of 118 dealerships with the vehicle’s own brand name. This is an umbrella that supports the U9 with a five year, unlimited-kilometre warranty (160,000km for commercial buyers) and provides capped-price service. The warranty is increased to seven years and 200,000km, if you’re a private buyer and service within the MG network.
The first few months of U9 and Terron 9 deliveries are below, a short time before the delivery of . In 2026 we’ll be watching these two utes closely to see how they compare with each other, and within the wider segment of that same.
| Month | Terron 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
Thanks for reading Battle of the ute twins: Will the LDV Terron 9 or MG U9 be victorious?
