MG has locked in a price for the U9 EV, and it is asking $78,990 before on road costs for its first electric dual cab. That is real money, and it lands well above the diesel U9 that has been on sale here since September 2025.
It also makes Australia the launch market for the U9 EV globally. Local buyers are first in line, which cuts both ways. You get the newest electric ute before anyone else, but you also carry the risk that comes with being the test market.
Carseekers already tracks the MG U9 range, so you can see what the diesel costs today before the electric version arrives to sit above it.
What $78,990 actually buys
The U9 EV runs a large battery feeding two electric motors for a combined 325kW and 700Nm. MG claims a 0 to 100km/h sprint of 5.8 seconds, which is quicker than any diesel dual cab you can buy.
Range is the number that matters most on a ute, and MG quotes 430km on the WLTP cycle. That is measured on the stricter European standard rather than the softer Chinese CLTC figure, so it should hold up better in real driving.
Charging tops out at 115kW on DC power, enough for a 20 to 80 per cent top up in a claimed 42 minutes. Vehicle to load is built in too, so the ute can run tools on a job site or power a campsite straight from its own battery.
It can still do ute things
Electric utes usually stumble on the numbers tradies actually care about, so this is where the U9 EV has to prove itself. It carries a 3500kg braked towing rating, matching the benchmark that diesel dual cabs live and die by.
Payload is rated at 685kg and the tray takes a standard pallet, while a front boot handles the gear you would rather keep out of the open tray. Four wheel air suspension with adjustable ride height is standard, something no leaf sprung diesel can match.
MG has also confirmed a five star ANCAP safety rating, along with a 360 degree camera, a hands free tailgate, twin 12.3 inch screens and a heated, ventilated and massaging driver seat.
How it stacks up against the rivals
The electric ute field is still thin, and that is exactly why MG can charge what it is charging. The Toyota HiLux BEV is the obvious yardstick, but it makes far less power and travels far fewer kilometres between charges, so the U9 EV clearly out muscles it on paper.
The SsangYong Musso EV comes in as the cheaper option, though it makes less power and has drawn scrutiny over its safety kit. We covered why the Musso EV shipped with six airbags rather than eight, a reminder to read the spec sheet closely before you sign anything.
On the numbers the U9 EV is the most capable of the group, but it is also the one asking you to pay a premium for being early.
The dealer reality
Being the global launch market sounds flattering until you remember what it means on the showroom floor. Early allocation of a brand new electric ute is limited, and limited supply is where dealers quietly firm up on price and load in accessories.
Do not treat the $78,990 figure as the finish line. Compare full drive away offers, ask exactly what the on road costs add, and never let a waitlist deposit pressure you into terms you have not read.
If you are weighing the electric premium against a proven diesel, the money side deserves the same scrutiny as the spec sheet. Loanseekers compares more than 70 lenders so you are not stuck taking the dealer's first finance quote, the same way Carseekers helps you avoid overpaying on the car itself.
When can you actually buy one
MG showed the U9 EV in the metal at the Everything Electric event in Sydney on 18 September 2026, and a full launch is expected late in 2026 or early in 2027. Grades, on road pricing and a firm on sale date will be confirmed closer to arrival.
For now the smart move is homework. Watch the MG U9 listing on Carseekers, line up your finance early, and be ready to move when allocation opens rather than scrambling once the waitlist fills.
The finer details
Your questions answered.
When does the MG U9 EV go on sale in Australia?
MG showed the U9 EV at the Everything Electric event in Sydney on 18 September 2026 and expects a full launch late in 2026 or early in 2027. Australia is the first market in the world to get it, so exact grades and a firm on sale date will be confirmed closer to arrival.
How much does the MG U9 EV cost in Australia?
The MG U9 EV starts at $78,990 before on road costs. That is a clear step up from the diesel U9, which has been on sale in Australia since September 2025, so budget for on road costs on top of the sticker.
What is the driving range of the MG U9 EV?
MG quotes 430km on the WLTP cycle. That figure uses the stricter European testing standard rather than the more lenient Chinese CLTC number, so it should be closer to what you see in real driving.
Can the MG U9 EV tow like a diesel ute?
Yes on the headline number. The U9 EV is rated to tow 3500kg braked, matching the benchmark of Australia's best selling diesel dual cabs. Remember that heavy towing cuts an EV's real world range hard, so plan charging stops accordingly.
Is the MG U9 EV better than the Toyota HiLux BEV?
On paper the U9 EV makes more power and travels further between charges than the Toyota HiLux BEV, so it looks the more capable electric ute. The trade off is price, as the MG asks a premium for that extra performance and range.
Should I put a deposit on the MG U9 EV now?
Only after you have done the maths. Early allocation is limited, which is when dealers firm up on price and push accessories. Compare full drive away offers and sort your finance before you commit, rather than letting a waitlist deposit rush you.
