If I had a peso for every newly released SUV set on taking on the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Montero Sport, I’d have…probably enough for a short tricycle ride or a small cup of taho.
Okay, not a very good analogy, I admit. But my point is, we’ve seen a ton of SUVs launched locally with their sights set on the two nameplates above. Very few have come close, let alone succeeded, in their mission—whether we’re talking sales, public perception, or overall value.
The latest challenger? It’s the MG RX9, a plug-in hybrid seven-seat SUV hailing from China.
Look, I’m not naive. This thing isn’t going to come remotely close to matching either Japanese SUV’s sales or popularity. But after a week with a unit, I think it might actually deserve similar recognition in terms of value. Let’s get into why.
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Styling
This SUV is a looker, plain and simple—and it does so without trying to do too much, either.
Unlike other hybrids, its design doesn’t lean too much into it being, well, a hybrid. No unnecessary blue or green exterior accents, no ‘HYBRID’ branding all over the place. It doesn’t make its powertrain its personality, and I love it.
It’s got considerable road presence, too. The exterior is equal parts classy and burly, thanks to a muscular and elongated front end, premium-looking chrome accents, an intricate grille design flanked by sweeping LED headlights, and large 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels. And while the pop-out door handles are pretty extra, they do a good job emphasizing the vehicle’s clean surfaces and minimalist side profile.
Perhaps my only gripe (a very minor and subjective one, at that): all that sleekness grinds to a halt at the rear. It looks bulky compared to the rest of the exterior thanks to a thick unified taillight design and a slight hump on the tailgate. No biggie, though.
Interior
Long story short: I love sitting in this thing. The overall vibe is dark and stealthy, but there’s just the right amount of faux aluminum accents to highlight what needs to stand out. A good number of surfaces feature soft-touch leather and nice, white contrast stitching, too.
Hold on a second—is that a proper shift knob? And actual physical buttons, switches, and dials on the dashboard and center console? A rarity these days, and a big plus in my book. If MG had thrown in a handbrake, I would’ve thought I’d travelled back in time.
The seats feel good, and the driver’s side comes with 12-way power adjustment. That, combined with a telescopic steering wheel and large windows, means setting your preferred driving position takes very little effort.
And since we’re in the business of seats, let’s talk about the two-way out back. It’s not the roomiest environment, but there’s enough to fit two adults—probably not ideal for extra-long drives, but let’s be honest: the same can be said for almost any seven-seat SUV in the business. The decent-sized, easily accessible cupholders are a plus here, too.
Other interior bits worth noting include a massive panoramic sunroof, rear A/C controls with both fan and temperature adjustment, dual rear USB-C charging ports, and a massage function for both front seats (which I used extensively while stuck in worst-case-scenario traffic).
Powertrain performance
Powering the RX9 PHEV is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder dedicated hybrid engine with 141hp and 230Nm. This is paired with an electric motor that churns out 174hp and 390Nm of torque, drawing juice from a 24.7kWh lithium-ion battery that provides up to 115km of range in pure EV mode.
Before moving forward, I’ll get my one and only complaint for this section out of the way: I only averaged around 10-11km/L during my week with the unit. Under the conditions I put it through, which included a mind-numbing 5-hour drive from QC to NAIA Terminal 1 averaging around 4kph, the RX9 PHEV still beats diesel-powered SUVs in terms of efficiency. Still, I was hoping for better mileage.
Every other department? This vehicle is a standout. Pedal response is great, whether in traffic or out on the expressway, and its ability to get up to highway speed in a jiffy really gives off the impression you’re behind the wheel of something smaller and lighter.
I’m also a big fan of how seamlessly it transitions to and from electric and gas power in hybrid mode. The engine is quiet, and it’s mostly hard to tell when it shifts to sipping from its 65-liter fuel tank. And lastly, its hybrid setup comes with an idle charging feature that allows it to juice up using gasoline while parked.
Ride and handling
Manning this SUV’s three-spoke steering wheel is a real joy. It provides a good amount of weight and feedback whether you’re driving in traffic or at speed, all while providing the feel of something more compact. Don’t get me wrong, the RX9’s dimensions mean it isn’t a pocket rocket by any means. But to me, it’s nearly as nimble as something at this size and price point can be.
The ride can be stiff in the passenger rows at times, but it’s never anything close to unmanageable. Things were plush for the majority of my experience, and combined with excellent NVH levels inside, helped give the riding experience a relatively premium overall feel.
Extra features
Arguably the biggest selling point of this SUV’s feature set is a complete suite of MG Pilot advanced safety and driver assistance features. This includes adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, lane-keep assist and lane departure warning, rear crossing traffic alert, and blind spot detection. The availability of seven airbags, including curtain units, is also a plus.
My favorite feature here, however, is its 12-speaker Bose sound system. It’s punchy, loud, clear, and, combined with the RX9 PHEV’s excellent NVH levels, should leave very little for even audiophiles to complain about.
Other extras worth noting include a wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a high-resolution 360-degree parking camera, tri-zone climate control, plenty of USB-C chargers, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, and an easy-to-navigate 12.3-inch central touchscreen. There’s also an adjustable ambient lighting system in case you want to get funky with the interior vibe.
Verdict
Frankly, the MG RX9 PHEV is a seven-seater that ticks all the right boxes—except one.
It’s a legitimate seven-seater, not a compact SUV with two barely-there extra seats tucked in the back. It has the road presence and design of a proper SUV, with a premium-feeling interior to go with it. And it’s quite the performer, with great driving dynamics and a powertrain that doesn’t leave you wanting.
The only bummer, and I have to put an asterisk here, is the fuel economy. I ended my time with the unit averaging 11km/L, mostly from city driving but with a quick drive down south to Santa Rosa. The asterisk is there because of an absolutely horrid five- to six-hour stretch from Quezon City to NAIA doing 4kph. Minus that stretch, I’m confident mileage would have been much better.
At just under P2 million, you’d be hard-pressed to do better here. And if you’re seriously considering jumping from a traditional midsize SUV to a hybrid, the MG RX9 PHEV might be your best bet.
SPECS: 2027 MG RX9 PHEV
Price: P1,968,888
Powertrain: 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline and permanent synchronous motor
Power: 141hp @ 5,500rpm (gasoline engine), 236hp (electric motor)
Torque: 230Nm @ 4,000rpm (gasoline engine), 390Nm (electric motor)
EV Range: 115km
Transmission: Dedicated hybrid transmission
Layout: Front-wheel drive
Seating: 7
Score: 9/10
More photos of the 2027 MG RX9 PHEV:
