LDV Terron 9 2025 Review

Pricing for the 2025 LDV Terron 9 starts at $49,990 drive-away for ABN holders under a limited-time launch offer expected to run for several months.

That makes LDV’s big new 5.5-metre dual-cab cheaper than entry-level 4x4 rivals like the Toyota HiLux Workmate ($50,420 +ORCs) and Ford Ranger XL ($50,880 +ORCs) – and a direct challenger to GWM’s Cannon Alpha, which sits between $51,990 and $57,990 drive-away.

Like most Chinese challengers, the Terron 9 Origin is stacked with standard kit: twin 12.3-inch displays, a powered driver’s seat, heaps of driver assist systems and a funky two-spoke sci-fi-style steering wheel. Inside, it’s neat and modern – nothing cheap or cheerful here.

Exterior kit includes auto LED headlights, 18-inch alloys with highway tyres and a matching full-size spare, plus side steps, roof rails, spray-in tub liner, push-button tailgate with pneumatic assist and a factory tow kit (tongue, ball, wiring included).

Stepping up to the top-spec Evolve (from $54,990 drive-away for ABN holders) adds kit like trailer reversing assist, cargo rails, LED tub lighting, 20-inch wheels, heated/ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, ambient lighting and power-fold mirrors. It’s a seriously plush cabin and even scores JBL audio.

Private buyers will pay $53,674 drive-away for the Origin and $58,937 drive-away for the Evolve.

An electric version – the LDV eTerron 9 – lands later this year, but expect a hefty price tag. The brand’s last EV ute, the eT60, was a $100K flop (we gave it a 50/100).

Hopefully the eTerron 9 will be a more cohesive vehicle, expected to run 200kW single- and 325kW dual-motor options and a 102kWh battery.

All diesel Terron 9 models get proper 4x4 gear: on-demand 4WD, rear diff lock, low-range transfer case and selectable off-road modes including wade, rock crawl, and custom low-range settings. The Evolve adds front and rear lockers, setting it up as a potential bona fide rock-crawler – just add all-terrain tyres.

It also delivers on tech: a 3D surround camera, both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, auto lights and wipers, adaptive cruise control and more.

Power comes from a 2.5-litre single-turbo four-cylinder diesel with 163kW and 520Nm, making it the second most powerful non-V6 diesel ute behind only the HiLux GR Sport ($74,310 +ORCs). It’s paired to a ZF eight-speed auto, with double-wishbone front and leaf-spring rear suspension, supporting a 1100kg payload.

Safety kit includes seven airbags (with a central front airbag), AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and 360-degree camera with sensors all around.

The Terron 9 is backed by LDV’s seven-year/200,000km warranty, which is above the industry average of five years – although some rivals have unlimited-kilometre warranties.

Early impressions of the 2025 LDV Terron 9 are cautiously optimistic — and for good reason.

It’s important to note that we tested pre-production vehicles in a controlled setting (Holden’s old proving ground at Lang Lang), and optimistic because this thing feels like a legitimate step up from the LDV T60.

The new 2.5-litre turbo-diesel is noticeably smoother and quieter than expected – a promising sign for those who plan on spending a lot of time driving their truck. It’s got decent punch too, especially low in the rev-range, making light work of the Terron 9’s kerb weight of 2400kg.

The eight-speed auto is no slouch either with reasonably smooth shifts. It does its best work when left alone, although paddle-shifter input allows for more control over engine revs.

Ride and handling? Early signs are encouraging. The Terron 9 feels well-damped and more composed in corners than you’d expect from a 5.5-metre long, 2.4-tonne dual-cab ute. It doesn’t wallow too much when turning, with only a hint of boat-like listing and leaning.

Indeed, there’s a sense that LDV has really done its homework in the chassis department, the Terron 9 exhibiting decent body control that borders on SUV-like stability.

As for tech, yes – it beeps and bleeps like many new Chinese chariots, but LDV’s done a solid job rendering the systems less annoying and more intuitive than some rivals. That’s thanks to local tuning of its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) ahead of launch.

A few more wins for the 2025 LDV Terron 9? It’s a big unit. At 5500mm long, it’s 130mm longer than a Ranger and 175mm longer than a HiLux, while the 1600mm x 1600mm tray easily outguns both.

Payload is a solid 1100kg in the Origin (dropping slightly to 1005kg in the Evolve, likely thanks to those larger 20-inch alloys), and towing capacity hits the full 3500kg for both.

With a 6500kg gross combined mass (GCM) you have about 600kg of wiggle room to play with if you’re towing the full 3500kg load. All models come standard with a complete tow kit, which is a win for tradies and trailer-towers alike.

The interior has a solid sense of spaciousness – front and back seats – and the Terron 9 trades bare-bones work ute vibes for something far more upmarket. The twin 12.3-inch screens are sharp and responsive and the menu systems are fairly logically set up. And the minimalist cabin design wouldn’t look out of place in a modern SUV. Some will dig it, others might find it too sleek for a tool of trade.

Off-road? It’s promising. With proper 4WD gear, including a locking rear diff, decent ground clearance and dedicated low-ratio gearing, the Terron 9 handled a short off-road loop with confidence. But we’ll reserve full judgment until we get more seat time in the rough stuff.

Finally comes the value-for-money equation. Which is compelling – if you don’t mind branching away from mainstream brands and trying a challenger.

The 2025 LDV Terron 9’s biggest strength – its sheer size – could also be a weakness. This thing is genuinely lengthy and will probably make parking an exercise in precision when it comes to tight shopping centre car parks.

Even if you’re coming from another one-tonne ute this big unit could take a little time to readjust to. At almost two metres wide – stretching to 2265mm including the wing mirrors – it’s a commitment that extends well beyond the purchase price. A city vehicle this is not.

The exterior design could be described as polarising, looking like a knock-off Transformers toy pre-metamorphosis from some angles, with a grille so large not even particles of light can escape. Beauty is subjective, but anonymity isn’t an option with the Terron 9.

That larger 2.5-litre engine, while more powerful, must deal with a 300kg weight penalty over the smaller LDV T60. While we didn’t have enough time to get a handle on economy, it could translate to thirstier fuel consumption. Especially compared to more efficient 2.0-litre turbo-diesel rivals and relatives.

The seat bases on the pre-production utes we drove squeaked a bit going round corners and there are no conventional door handles either. This could take a bit of getting used to for some motorists. And like any power-operated door latch, the door release push buttons won’t work if the battery dies. There are hidden cable pulls in the doors that can be accessed by removing small panels if the battery carks it.

Also worth noting: LDV’s currently battling rust-related drama with the T60. The car also won’t start if your seat belt isn’t plugged in, and while the safety merits are noble, it could get annoying if you’re just trying to shift it around on your property.

Sister brand MG is also plotting a version of this ute, the MG U9, which is set to offer the exact same dimensions, functionality and versatility. However, it has access to a 10-year warranty, larger dealership footprint and greater maintenance reach. And it could be just as sharp in terms of price and equipment.

The 2025 LDV Terron 9 represents a bold bet on the “bigger is better” philosophy and for buyers who genuinely need maximum space and capability, it delivers. The combination of hefty dimensions, comprehensive equipment levels and competitive pricing creates a compelling proposition here.

However, this isn’t a ute for everyone and LDV has a lot of work to do in terms of customer perception before it can attain mainstream recognition and acceptance, something that has taken other entrenched ute brands decades to generate.

For all that, there’s positive signs here – it drives well and feels like a solid unit on- and off-road and our early taste test suggests the brand is now deploying some savvy engineering solutions.

There’s still more testing to do in the real world but on early impressions alone, the Terron 9 looks and feels like a proper step forward for LDV’s dual-cab game.

2025 LDV Terron 9 Origin at a glance:
Price: $53,674 (drive-away price for private buyers)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 163/520Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 209g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

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