MG U9What does it cost to run, and is an EV cheaper?
Driving 250 km a week, the MG U9 Explore 4x4 uses about $52.95 of diesel a week in WA and $56.64 in ACT, at this week's average prices. Over 5 years it costs about $71,149 to own, and 51 of the 118 EVs we track work out cheaper.
Photo: MarcelX42, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. May show an overseas version or a related model.
What would it cost you in fuel?
MG U9 fuel costs by state
MG U9 Explore 4x4, using each capital's average diesel price for the week to 21 October 2026. *Per year assumes 15,000 km.
| State | Diesel | Per week | Per year* | Full tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $2.77 | $54.65 | $3,279 | $221 |
| Victoria | $2.77 | $54.69 | $3,281 | $222 |
| Queensland | $2.80 | $55.36 | $3,322 | $224 |
| South Australia | $2.81 | $55.46 | $3,327 | $225 |
| WA | $2.68 | $52.95 | $3,177 | $214 |
| Tasmania | $2.81 | $55.40 | $3,324 | $224 |
| ACT | $2.87 | $56.64 | $3,399 | $229 |
| NT | $2.84 | $56.15 | $3,369 | $227 |
Road trips in the MG U9
Fuel cost for the Explore 4x4 at its claimed 7.9 L/100 km and this week's NSW diesel price. Under each trip: the same drive in its closest electric rival, with charging stops. Tap a trip for the full charging guide.
KGM Musso EV: $129 in charging, 3 charging stopsSydney to Brisbane908 km · about $198 in diesel · 1 refuel
KGM Musso EV: $136 in charging, 4 charging stopsBrisbane to Cairns1693 km · about $370 in diesel · 2 refuels
KGM Musso EV: $277 in charging, 8 charging stopsMelbourne to Adelaide726 km · about $159 in diesel · no refuel
KGM Musso EV: $104 in charging, 3 charging stopsSydney to Canberra286 km · about $63 in diesel · no refuel
KGM Musso EV: $25 in charging, 1 charging stopPerth to Margaret River269 km · about $59 in diesel · no refuel
KGM Musso EV: $23 in charging, no charging stopsMelbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road970 km · about $212 in diesel · 1 refuel
KGM Musso EV: $148 in charging, 5 charging stops
MG U9 performance
| Variant | 0–100 km/h | Power | Torque | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explore 4x4 | – | 160 kW | 520 Nm | 4WD |
Maker's claimed figures. A dash means the figure isn't published for the Australian version.
Reliability and track record
The MG U9 has been on sale here for less than two years, so there isn't enough Australian ownership history to judge. That isn't a bad sign, just an unknown. A long warranty matters more for newer models.
Check official recalls for this car
How we rate: under 2 years on sale here is "Too new to tell". A widely reported fault or repeated recalls is "Known issues". Otherwise it's "Established". We list documented problems with a source, not opinions. Single recalls that were fixed are listed but don't change the rating, as most models have some.
What a MG U9 costs to own over 5 years
250 km a week in NSW at $2.77 a litre of diesel. Scheduled service every 12 months or 15,000 km, about $400 a visit. Warranty: 7 yrs / 200,000 km (serviced by MG).
| Variant | Fuel use | On the road* | Fuel / yr | Servicing / yr | Tyres / yr | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explore 4x4 | 7.9 L/100 km | $52,990 | $2,842 | $400 | $390 | $71,149 |
What do "on the road" and "cost to own" mean?
Before on-road costs (+ on-roads): the car's list price only. You pay extra government charges and dealer fees on top when you buy.
On-road costs: stamp duty, first year's registration, compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, number plates and the dealer's delivery fee. They usually add $3,000–6,000 depending on the car and your state. Where a price is "before on-roads" we add about $4,000. See stamp duty and rego by state.
Drive-away: a price that already includes the on-road costs, so it's what you actually pay to drive the car home.
On the road price: the drive-away price, or the list price plus our on-road estimate.
Cost to own: everything you'd spend over the years you keep the car (5 unless you change it): the on the road price, plus a home wall charger for EVs (about $2,000, one-off), plus charging or fuel, scheduled servicing and tyres for every year. Divide it by the number of weeks to see what the car really costs you each week.
Not included: yearly rego renewals and insurance after the first year, finance interest, and what the car is worth when you sell it. These vary too much by person and car to estimate fairly, and resale value is the biggest unknown, especially for newer brands.
The MG U9 against EVs
The eight EVs with the lowest 5-year cost to own, against the MG U9 Explore 4x4 at $71,149. Green means the EV works out cheaper. EV totals include a home charger.
| EV | Charging / week | 5-year total | vs this diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYDAtto 1 Essential | $14.54 | $37,146 | −$34,003 |
| LeapmotorB03X Style | $12.75 | $38,462 | −$32,686 |
| GeelyEX2 Complete | $14.91 | $39,523 | −$31,625 |
| MGMG4 Urban 43 | $15.47 | $42,474 | −$28,674 |
| BYDDolphin Essential | $14.91 | $43,243 | −$27,905 |
| HondaSuper-ONE Super-ONE | $11.72 | $44,541 | −$26,607 |
| GACAion UT Premium | $15.38 | $45,160 | −$25,989 |
| JaecooJ5 EV Track | $13.41 | $45,284 | −$25,865 |
Head-to-head with its closest electric rivals
Against plug-in hybrids
About MG
The old British sports car name, now SAIC's value brand and one of Australia's top sellers. The MG U9 ute is the LDV/Maxus Terron 9 with an MG badge. Sister brands: IM, LDV. Who owns which car brand.
Common questions
How much is a MG U9 in Australia?
The MG U9 starts from $52,990 drive-away (October 2026). Prices change often, so check with a dealer.
How much fuel does a MG U9 use?
Its claimed fuel use is 7.9 L/100 km. Driving 250 km a week that's about $52.95 to $56.64 of diesel a week, depending on your state.
Is a MG U9 cheaper to run than an EV?
Per week, an EV charged at home usually costs much less to run. Counting the purchase price, a home charger, servicing and tyres over 5 years, 51 of the 118 EVs we track cost less to own than the MG U9, led by the BYD Atto 1.
How far can a MG U9 go on a tank?
About 810 km in real driving on its 80 L tank (about 1,013 km at the claimed 7.9 L/100 km). Expect less when towing or carrying heavy loads.
Other petrol and diesel cars
How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at October 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.