2025 MG QS review
The MG QS is a seven-seat SUV with a substantial size to it. It's about the same dimensionally as a Toyota Kluger, and it's aiming at buyers of that three-row family SUV, as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and others like the LDV D90, Mahindra XUV700 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro.
The pricing pitches this one as not the cheapest, but far from the most expensive in the segment, with a starting introductory price of $46,990 drive-away for the Excite front-wheel drive model, while the Essence all-wheel drive version tested is a $50,990 drive-away option.
That's pretty decent buying for a family high-rider with a spec list like this. Standard gear in the range-topper includes 21-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats, and perforated leather upholstery. There is an optional Stone Beige interior trim that looks awesome, too.
That's beyond the expected goodies such as three-zone climate control, a pair of 12.3-inch screens including connected services, sat nav, wireless phone connectivity and mirroring, and more. And seriously, the cabin design is pretty speccy for the cash, with the 256-colour ambient lighting helping to make it feel how you want it to. The 12-speaker Bose sound system in the top-end version helps with that, too.
Some of the controls could be better, but you do get used to the screen menus reasonably quickly – and thankfully there is a row of buttons for main climate settings down below the infotainment unit.
It's comfortable and practical upfront, and the second-row space is easily roomy enough for adults or big teens. There are overhead vents and rear climate settings, and the standard big glass sunroof has a nice effect. Parents of freshies will appreciate there are ISOFIX points in the window seats and three top-tethers, with a 60:40 split bench rear seat offering sliding capability to make it more amenable for full occupancy.
There is a nifty one-touch tilt-and-slide seat on the driver's side to allow third-row access, which is easy because the door openings are decent. No third-row child-seat anchor points is about the only cross against this car's cabin, because it has a lot of ticks.
So, what about the drive experience?
I was surprised how much I liked this thing – in fact, it feels like the most mature and well considered MG product yet, which is saying something.
What impresses most is the ride comfort, which is exceptionally good for a car on arch-filling wheels with low-profile tyres. The high-grade version gets an electronically controlled adjustable suspension that helps to iron out little bumps and cosset over larger jolts, which is important in a big car for the crew.
It feels pretty easy to drive in urban settings, with a standard surround-view camera system helping out with parking moves, and the steering is predictable if not overly thrilling.
And while a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol might seem a little undercooked for a near-two-tonne-when-empty SUV like this, it gets the job done decently. The nine-speed auto helps it feel eager at lower speeds, though I noted some 'hunting' for a correct gear at freeway speed.
Fuel use is claimed in the 8s, and over a mix of driving during a few days of urban, highway and commuting to the city from out west, I saw 9.8L/100km displayed on the dash. Not too bad! Just be mindful it needs 95RON premium juice, and the tank capacity is 65L.
There is a raft of standard active safety technology, some of which may frustrate the enthusiastic driver. The lane keeping is a bit eager, but thankfully the driver monitoring camera is timid. There's speed sign recognition which harps on a bit too much, though it might be handy if you're short on points.
Now it is worth noting that you can still get an MG with a 10-year/250,000km warranty if you maintain the car with MG's network, otherwise the brand has wound things back to seven years/unlimited km. Still very good.
The MG QS isn't the cheapest, but it is one of the best at the budget end of the seven-seat SUV spectrum.
4.0 stars
MG QS
PRICE: $46,990 to $50,990 drive-away (introductory pricing)
ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cyl, nine-speed auto transmission, FWD or AWD
FUEL USE: 8.4-8.8 litres per 100km claim, 9.8L/100km on test
BOOT SPACE: 203 litres third-row up, 517 litres third-row down
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Indeed, independent rear suspension (IRS) will be the only major mechanical difference between the Terron 9 and U9, which will also come with an MG-exclusive grille, U9 badging, body-coloured lower front bumper, new wheels and a slightly revised interior including a traditional console-mounted gear selector instead of a steering column-mounted stalk shifter. However, the battery-electric version of the MG's sister model, the eTerron 9, will also bring independent multi-link rear suspension when it goes on sale here, which CarExpert understands won't happen before the U9's launch. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG. Click here to get a great deal. Despite the fitment of IRS, Australian government homologation documents confirm the MG U9 will still offer towing and payload capabilities to match its key rivals including the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, as promised by MG. Designed to improve ride comfort and road holding, IRS is commonly seen in passenger cars but is rare in the ute world, where rear leaf springs are employed almost exclusively to handle heavy loads in the tub. That said, there are several utes available with coil-sprung rear-ends, including the Ranger Raptor, Nissan Navara, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and certain versions of the LDV T60 and KGM Musso, but all of them have solid or 'live' rear axles that lack independent rear wheel control. The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is one of the few exceptions to this rule in the mid-size ute segment, by featuring independent multi-link rear coil suspension. MG says the U9's multi-link IRS system was designed specifically for Australian conditions, tested on urban and rural roads as well as highways and trails, and will provide "exceptional comfort, grip, and handling for versatile performance across a range of on and off-road conditions". "We researched the Australian market significantly for our MG U9 product, and we share Australia's love for the outdoor, sport and adventure lifestyle, but often the utes they drive just don't offer the comfort they want or deserve," said MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO, Peter Ciao. "I wanted to offer a ute with no compromise on driving comfort or capability. And we've done this by engineering our multi-link rear suspension platform specifically for the demands of our local drivers". MG says the U9's IRS was benchmarked against its competitors by local engineering development teams and will be unique to Australian-delivered examples of the Chinese brand's first ute, which will be a key model in its previously stated plan to become a top-three auto brand Down Under by 2030. "The MG U9 meets our desire to offer top quality, excellent comfort and performance, rewarding Australian customers for their trust in the MG Motor brand. It underpins our strategy to become one of Australia's top five automotive brands in the near term," said Mr Ciao. MG claims multi-link rear suspension transforms the U9 into a ute that delivers more stability when carrying loads, as well as a smoother, more composed ride for all occupants in all driving situations. Specifically, it says key benefits of the U9's multi-link rear suspension include: MG has received Australian Design Rule certification for two versions of the U9 dual-cab, both powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 160kW of power (peak torque isn't in approval documents, but Chinese data suggests it will be 520Nm). Both will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and what's referred to as an automatic all-wheel drive system. One has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg and a tare mass of 2398kg, from which we can calculate a payload figure of 1102kg. The other variant has a GVM of 3320kg and a tare mass of 2498kg, resulting in a payload figure of 822kg. The MG U9 measures a sizeable 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase, while an optional luggage rack bumps height up to 1874mm. That makes it significantly longer and wider than the top-selling Ranger 4×4 dual-cab, which measures 5403mm long, 1918mm wide and 1886mm tall on a 3270mm wheelbase. Dual-cab Rangers also offer a payload figure of between 929kg and 1018kg depending on the variant. Ground clearance for the MG is 220mm, and the U9 will ride on either 18- or optional 20-inch wheels. Other previously confirmed available features for the MG U9 include a flip-down rear tailgate step, massaging driver's seat, "flexible seat functionality", a JBL sound system, and even walkthrough cab/tub capability. Unlike its LDV Terron 9 twin, an electric vehicle (EV) powertrain won't become available for the MG U9 in the short-term. Instead, MG is understood to be planning a plug-in hybrid powertrain to match the Shark, Cannon Alpha and Ranger. Pricing is yet to be announced, but MG has confirmed the U9 will be backed by a shorter warranty than the rest of its range, and it's now taking expressions of interest ahead of first customer deliveries around November, following its official launch in September. MORE: Explore the MG showroom Content originally sourced from: MG Motor Australia has confirmed its first ute, the MG U9, will bring independent multi-link coil-sprung rear suspension when it's launched here next month, giving it a key point of difference to other dual-cab utes including its recently launched twin, the LDV Terron 9. Indeed, independent rear suspension (IRS) will be the only major mechanical difference between the Terron 9 and U9, which will also come with an MG-exclusive grille, U9 badging, body-coloured lower front bumper, new wheels and a slightly revised interior including a traditional console-mounted gear selector instead of a steering column-mounted stalk shifter. However, the battery-electric version of the MG's sister model, the eTerron 9, will also bring independent multi-link rear suspension when it goes on sale here, which CarExpert understands won't happen before the U9's launch. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG. Click here to get a great deal. Despite the fitment of IRS, Australian government homologation documents confirm the MG U9 will still offer towing and payload capabilities to match its key rivals including the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, as promised by MG. Designed to improve ride comfort and road holding, IRS is commonly seen in passenger cars but is rare in the ute world, where rear leaf springs are employed almost exclusively to handle heavy loads in the tub. That said, there are several utes available with coil-sprung rear-ends, including the Ranger Raptor, Nissan Navara, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and certain versions of the LDV T60 and KGM Musso, but all of them have solid or 'live' rear axles that lack independent rear wheel control. The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is one of the few exceptions to this rule in the mid-size ute segment, by featuring independent multi-link rear coil suspension. MG says the U9's multi-link IRS system was designed specifically for Australian conditions, tested on urban and rural roads as well as highways and trails, and will provide "exceptional comfort, grip, and handling for versatile performance across a range of on and off-road conditions". "We researched the Australian market significantly for our MG U9 product, and we share Australia's love for the outdoor, sport and adventure lifestyle, but often the utes they drive just don't offer the comfort they want or deserve," said MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO, Peter Ciao. "I wanted to offer a ute with no compromise on driving comfort or capability. And we've done this by engineering our multi-link rear suspension platform specifically for the demands of our local drivers". MG says the U9's IRS was benchmarked against its competitors by local engineering development teams and will be unique to Australian-delivered examples of the Chinese brand's first ute, which will be a key model in its previously stated plan to become a top-three auto brand Down Under by 2030. "The MG U9 meets our desire to offer top quality, excellent comfort and performance, rewarding Australian customers for their trust in the MG Motor brand. It underpins our strategy to become one of Australia's top five automotive brands in the near term," said Mr Ciao. MG claims multi-link rear suspension transforms the U9 into a ute that delivers more stability when carrying loads, as well as a smoother, more composed ride for all occupants in all driving situations. Specifically, it says key benefits of the U9's multi-link rear suspension include: MG has received Australian Design Rule certification for two versions of the U9 dual-cab, both powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 160kW of power (peak torque isn't in approval documents, but Chinese data suggests it will be 520Nm). Both will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and what's referred to as an automatic all-wheel drive system. One has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg and a tare mass of 2398kg, from which we can calculate a payload figure of 1102kg. The other variant has a GVM of 3320kg and a tare mass of 2498kg, resulting in a payload figure of 822kg. The MG U9 measures a sizeable 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase, while an optional luggage rack bumps height up to 1874mm. That makes it significantly longer and wider than the top-selling Ranger 4×4 dual-cab, which measures 5403mm long, 1918mm wide and 1886mm tall on a 3270mm wheelbase. Dual-cab Rangers also offer a payload figure of between 929kg and 1018kg depending on the variant. Ground clearance for the MG is 220mm, and the U9 will ride on either 18- or optional 20-inch wheels. Other previously confirmed available features for the MG U9 include a flip-down rear tailgate step, massaging driver's seat, "flexible seat functionality", a JBL sound system, and even walkthrough cab/tub capability. Unlike its LDV Terron 9 twin, an electric vehicle (EV) powertrain won't become available for the MG U9 in the short-term. Instead, MG is understood to be planning a plug-in hybrid powertrain to match the Shark, Cannon Alpha and Ranger. Pricing is yet to be announced, but MG has confirmed the U9 will be backed by a shorter warranty than the rest of its range, and it's now taking expressions of interest ahead of first customer deliveries around November, following its official launch in September. MORE: Explore the MG showroom Content originally sourced from:
