The dual-cab ute market in Australia is more competitive than ever, and MG has now added a serious contender. The newly introduced MGU9 ute has just been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, with the result valid for all diesel variants sold in Australia and New Zealand from September 2025.
The rating was determined using crash test data from the Maxus eTerron 9 tested in 2024, with ANCAP confirming that the results apply to the MGU9 sold locally.
Breaking down the safety scores
Adult Occupant Protection – 91% (36.78 out of 40)
The MGU9 scored fairly high for adult occupant protection from ANCAP. In the frontal offset test, the passenger compartment stayed stable, with good protection for most areas but only adequate protection for the driver’s chest and lower legs, resulting in 6.19/8 points, including a penalty for vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility. It scored full marks for the full-width frontal test, showing only adequate protection for the rear passenger’s neck. In the side impact test, the ute achieved a maximum 6.00/6 points, while the oblique pole test saw adequate chest protection but good results elsewhere, giving 5.63/6 points. Both whiplash protection (3.96/4) and far side impact (4.00/4) were rated highly, and rescue and extrication features earned 3.00/4 points, supported by the inclusion of a rescue sheet, multi-collision braking, and door/window functionality in submersion scenarios.
Child Occupant Protection – 89% (44 out of 49)
MG’s ute offering in Australia has scored well in Child Occupant Protection as well. Maximum points were awarded in the frontal offset (16.00/16) and side impact tests (8.00/8), with good protection provided for both six-year-old and ten-year-old dummies. The ute also achieved full marks for restraint installation (12.00/12), with all common child restraints available in Australia and New Zealand able to be accommodated in the rear outboard seats. However, installation in the second-row centre seat is not recommended as there is no top tether anchorage. For on-board safety features, the MGU9 scored 8.00/13, with ISOFix and top tether anchorages fitted to the rear outboard positions, plus an indirect Child Presence Detection system as standard. Airbag disabling for the front passenger seat is not available. Overall, the ute provides strong child occupant protection, with only minor limitations in seating flexibility.
Vulnerable Road User Protection – 84% (53.13 out of 63)
Utes usually struggle to score highly for Vulnerable Road User Protection, but the MGU9 has fared fairly well. In pedestrian impact tests, the bonnet and windscreen provided good or adequate head protection across most of the surface. However, marginal and poor results were recorded on the stiff windscreen pillars, the base of the windscreen, and the bonnet’s leading edge, leading to a head protection score of 12.02/18. Pelvis protection was mixed (3.30/4.5), while femur (4.50/4.5) and knee/tibia protection (9.00/9) were strong. Active safety systems contributed heavily to the score: the AEB pedestrian (forward) tests returned 5.72/7, showing good collision avoidance, including in turning scenarios, while AEB pedestrian (backover) performance was adequate at 1.50/2. The ute performed strongly in AEB cyclist scenarios, earning 8.09/9, with collisions avoided or mitigated at all test speeds, including turns. It also provides driver alerts when a cyclist approaches from behind, though warnings to other occupants were not early enough to gain credit. Motorcycle protection was equally impressive, with AEB motorcycle scoring 6.00/6 and lane support system (LSS) motorcycle tests achieving full marks at 3.00/3, thanks to good performance in braking, stationary, and turning scenarios, as well as emergency lane-keeping.
Safety Assist – 85% (15.38 out of 18)
The MGU9 offers a strong suite of driver-assistance systems. It achieved full marks for seat belt reminders (1.00/1) and lane support systems (3.00/3), while the speed assistance system earned 2.58/3 for its combination of speed limit information and intelligent adaptive cruise control. The ute’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and autonomous emergency steering (AES) systems were also rated highly, with 3.35/4 in car-to-car scenarios, 3.58/4 in junction and crossing scenarios, and 0.88/1 in head-on crash prevention. Testing showed that AEB was capable of avoiding or mitigating collisions across a wide range of situations, including when approaching stationary or braking vehicles, or when turning across oncoming traffic. Lane support features, including Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK), performed well in both intentional and unintentional departure tests.
Additionally, blind-spot monitoring provided further safety benefits. A direct driver monitoring system (1.00/2) that detects distraction and fatigue is fitted as standard, alongside seatbelt occupancy detection across all positions. Overall, the MGU9 demonstrates well-calibrated and effective active safety systems, offering drivers strong assistance in everyday and emergency scenarios.
Standard safety equipment
All MGU9 diesel variants sold locally come with:
- Dual frontal airbags (driver & passenger)
- Side chest-protection airbags (front seats)
- Side head-protection airbags (1st & 2nd rows)
- Side airbags for 3rd row + centre airbag
- Seat belt pre-tensioners (front & 2nd row outboard)
- Intelligent seat belt reminders (front & 2nd row)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) – car, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcycle, junction, crossing & backover
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) & Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Direct Driver Monitoring System (DMS)
- Child Presence Detection / Alert
- Cyclist Dooring Alert
- Secondary / multi-collision braking
- Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (iACC)
- Speed Sign Recognition & Warning
Note: The second-row centre seat does not include a top tether anchorage, making it unsuitable for child restraint installation.
What does MG say about safety?
MG hasn’t released an ANCAP statement yet, but Kevin Gannon, MG Motor Business Director, highlighted the brand’s intentions:
“We wanted a dual-cab ute product that is designed and engineered for all genres of customers and the needs of ute buyers locally. We’re proud to announce the MGU9 meets ANCAP 5-star safety rating standards, ensuring excellent protection for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Our aim is to achieve a 5-star safety rating for all new MG models introduced to the market.”
Who should consider the MGU9 ute?
- Tradies and work buyers: With a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and high-strength chassis, the MGU9 combines utility with strong crash test performance.
- Families: Adult and child protection scores are among the best in class, making it a viable dual-purpose work-and-family vehicle.
- Fleet operators: Meets ANCAP five-star fleet safety requirements, while offering a full suite of driver aids.
- Private buyers: For those wanting a ute that doesn’t compromise on SUV-like cabin comfort, the MGU9 brings safety and convenience in one package.
Final thoughts
The MGU9’s five-star ANCAP rating places it firmly among the safest dual-cab utes on sale in Australia. With strong results across all categories, modern driver assistance systems, and a practical design, it delivers the safety assurance buyers are looking for in a highly competitive segment.
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