MG's plug-in hybrid version could soon enter Vietnam

Several dealership sales consultants said that MG is planning to introduce a number of new vehicles to Vietnam in the coming period.

Following the latest-generation ZS and HS, the MG RX9 is reportedly among the next SUVs the brand could bring to the Vietnamese market.

The MG4 Urban, a fully electric model, could also be introduced in Vietnam.

Sales consultants said the new ZS and HS could make their local debut as early as September or October, while the MG RX9 is expected to go on sale afterward.

MG RX9 to take on Hyundai Palisade

The MG RX9 measures 4,983mm in length, 1,967mm in width and 1,786mm in height.

Its wheelbase stretches 2,915mm, while ground clearance stands at 200mm.

With these dimensions, the RX9 belongs to the three-row SUV segment and is broadly comparable in size with the Hyundai Palisade.

The MG RX9 is already sold in several Southeast Asian markets.

In the Philippines, the MG RX9 PHEV is priced at around 1.99 million pesos (US$32,750).

This is in the price range of several popular SUVs in Vietnam, such as the Mazda CX-5, although the two models belong to different segments.

MG has yet to reveal an expected price for the RX9 in Vietnam.

However, the brand’s models currently sold in the country are generally positioned at competitive prices against products from Japanese and South Korean automakers in the same segments.

Based on versions sold in Cambodia and the Philippines, the MG RX9 features a distinctive exterior design.

Its front end is dominated by a large chrome grille featuring a Starburst pattern.

The lighting system comprises LED headlights and LED taillights stretching across almost the entire width of the rear.

The SUV rides on two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the RX9 features a seven-seat, three-row layout, targeting families seeking a spacious SUV.

The cabin combines soft-touch surfaces with ambient lighting.

One of the highlights is a dual 12.3-inch screen setup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

In the Philippines, the RX9 is also offered with massaging seats, a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a hands-free power tailgate.

Plug-in hybrid version stands out

In some Southeast Asian markets, the MG RX9 is offered with two powertrain configurations, including a gasoline engine and a plug-in hybrid system.

The gasoline version uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 231 horsepower and 392Nm of maximum torque.

It is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with a 70-liter fuel tank.

Meanwhile, the PHEV version combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a combined output of around 295 horsepower and 390Nm of maximum torque.

A 24.7kWh LFP battery enables an electric-only driving range of 115 kilometers under the NEDC testing standard.

MG claims a total driving range of some 1,200 kilometers for the RX9 PHEV.

The RX9 is equipped with disc brakes on both axles, six airbags and a 360-degree camera.

Standard safety equipment includes an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and hill-start assist.

The MG Pilot driver-assistance suite also incorporates a range of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and blind-spot detection.

If introduced in Vietnam, the MG RX9 would give the brand another seven-seat SUV option while adding further competition to the country’s increasingly diverse large family SUV market.