2025 ​MG U9, JAC T9, Deepal E07, BYD Shark: meet the Chinese utes looking to topple the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger​

The complexion of Australia’s biggest and most lucrative new-car segment – dual-cab utes – is about to change with a host of new models from Chinese car brands like MG, Deepal, BYD and JAC poised to hit the market in 2025.

Until now, China’s presence in the dual-cab segment, which is dominated by the Toyota HiLux and locally developed Ford Ranger, has largely been filled by GWM and LDV.

But the rapid-fire reveal of a battalion of new dual-cab utes like the MG U9, JAC T9, Foton Tunland V and the segment-busting Deepal E07 show the booming ute market is now firmly in China’s crosshairs.

So, how do these new players shape up against the existing benchmarks? And does their promise of greater choice and more affordable price tags mean you should pause if you’re about to place an order on a dual-cab from a more established brand?

Let’s take a look at how they stack up on paper.

2025 MG U9

MG has been making deep inroads in the Aussie market for years – now sitting firmly among the Top 10 brands for sales – and the arrival of its first dual-cab ute, the U9, should only see that growth accelerate.

First revealed at the recent Melbourne Motor Show, the U9 is a twin to the soon-to-arrive LDV Terron 9 and slated to hit Aussie roads in November this year.

Power will initially come from a 2.5-litre turbo diesel with 164kW (no torque figure has been quoted), mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. An even more powerful and economical plug-in hybrid version will also join the line-up in 2026, MG has confirmed.

Petrol-powered versions will arrive armed with a 3500kg braked towing capacity and circa one-tonne of payload, putting it on par with the likes of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

Pricing and trim levels are yet to be locked in, however it’s a fair bet to assume MG is targeting the affordable end of the market, suggesting a starting price between $40,000-$50,000 is likely.

Not in doubt is its warranty: the MG U9 is set to be backed by the same 10-year/250,000km coverage period as the brand’s other models. As for size, MG hasn’t revealed official dimensions but the U9’s twin, the LDV Terron 9, measures 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860m tall and rides on a 3300mm wheelbase. That will make the MG U9 larger than most existing models dual-cabs but smaller than large US pick-ups like Ford F-150.

2025 JAC T9 Hunter PHEV

Following on from the January launch of its budget-friendly T9 ute, JAC Australia used the Melbourne Motor Show to reveal a plug-in hybrid version dubbed the T9 Hunter PHEV.

Set to arrive in early 2026, the plug-in hybrid version of JAC’s dual-cab will be considerably more powerful and efficient. Where the petrol T9 (priced from $42,990 before on-roads) is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 125kW/410Nm, JAC says the T9 Hunter combines an “all-new 2.0-litre turbo petrol” with two electric motors to produce a monstrous 385kW and 1000Nm.

If those outputs prove to be true, it means the T9 Hunter will easily offer more power and torque than other plug-in hybrid utes like the BYD Shark (321kW/650Nm), GWM Cannon Alpha (300kW/700Nm) and the soon-to-arrive Ford Ranger PHEV (207kW/697Nm).

As well as offering owners the ability to run power tools from their ute by way of vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, the T9’s 31.2kWh battery will provide up to 100km of EV-only range.

Official braked towing and payload figures are still to be confirmed, but JAC is targeting the segment benchmarks of 3500kg/circa-1000kg.

Deepal E07

If you need the practicality of a dual-cab ute but also want the sleeker design of an SUV, then the Deepal E07 could be for you. Essentially China’s answer to the Tesla Cybertruck (which isn’t available in Australia), the all-electric Deepal E07 will arrive here between July and September, with a starting price of $64,990 before on-roads.

That will net you the entry-level rear-wheel-drive version of the E07, however a more powerful dual-motor model is also available from $73,990.

Both versions draw charge from an 89.98kWh battery, with outputs ranging from 252kW/365Nm in the single-motor to 440kW/645Nm in the dual motor.

Range is rated at 600km+ on the NEDC cycle, which isn’t as stringent as the more commonly quoted WLTP cycle, while an 800-volt architecture promises the ability to recharge from 30-80 per cent in just 15 minutes on a 240kW DC charger.

Unlike regular dual-cab utes, the E9 is built on a car-based monocoque chassis. This meansit should offer superior driving dynamics and ride comfort, however its payload and towing capacities are significantly lower than the dual-cab benchmarks.

With its glass tonneau cover in place, the E07 resembles a coupe SUV, but with the roof electrically stowed, it reveals a dual-cab-like tub. Deepal itself calls the E07 a “transformer ute”.

2025 BYD Shark

We couldn’t compile a list of influential Chinese dual-cab utes and not mention the BYD Shark. With a starting price of $57,900 the Shark has been an instant hit since it arrived on our shores this year and, remarkably, it was the sixth best-selling vehicle in the country in March 2025.

Like the JAC 9 Hunter above, the Shark is a plug-in hybrid and combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with twin electric motors for outputs of 321kW/650Nm. Electric-only driving range is quoted at 100km from the 29.6kWh battery pack, while the 0-100km/h sprint takes a hot-hatch like 5.7 seconds.

Where the Shark falls slightly short, however, is its 2500kg braked towing capacity, which is down on the segment benchmark of 3500kg.