MG RX9

• At the heart of the RX9’s performance is the 2.0‑liter turbocharged engine. It is the kind that earns respect quietly over a long drive. With 235 hp and 350 Nm of torque going through a ZF 9‑speed automatic, the whole experience is smooth and confident. This is especially true when driving the Riyadh to Dammam highway.​
• Being a big SUV, there are five driving modes, including off-road and snow, that are functional, not just ticking the feature box. You actually get to use them, and they make life easier. The off-road mode adjusts throttle response and AWD torque distribution in a way you feel on unpaved roads near Abha or the gravel tracks in the Asir mountains. But remember, this does not transform the RX9 into a capable off-roader; it certainly gives real confidence on some challenging surfaces.​
• You can expect 11–12 km/l of mileage in the city and a bit more on the highway. So basically, for an AWD seven‑seat SUV at this price, those numbers work and turn out to be pocket‑friendly to run.​

Some Realities

• If you have been a Palisade or Highlander user with a V6, the difference here is noticeable. The RX9 manages it but works harder than a six‑cylinder rival would. It actually isn’t a dealbreaker, but the experience is different. And you should know this; after a test drive, this becomes obvious, though.
• Also, keep in mind that the base variant does not get AWD.​

• Despite being a bigger SUV, the RX9 handles well in the city. It won’t be a trouble to drive through speed bumps across older Jeddah districts, and rough sections of some Dammam roads are absorbed without jarring rear occupants.
• The 360‑degree camera across all trims makes parking the near‑two‑meter‑wide body manageable in tight basement car parks and narrow Riyadh side streets.​
• The multi‑link rear suspension is one of the RX9’s most underrated advantages over rivals in this price range. On the Riyadh to Qassim highway, third‑row passengers stay comfortable in a way that a torsion beam setup cannot match.​
• Also, what we liked about the car is that the noise‑canceling windshield contributes greatly to cabin quietness. Even at three‑digit speed on the road to Madinah, the cabin stays relaxed.​

Things That Matter More

• Some of you may feel that 21‑inch wheels look strong in the showroom, but the reduced sidewall height means sharper road imperfections come through more than they would on a 19‑inch setup. This issue is a trade‑off across all brands at this wheel size. Keep this in mind before you choose the luxury trim for its looks.
• Another personal observation is that the AWD system feels different based on where you are driving. On light gravel and firm desert tracks near Riyadh or the approaches to Taif, it is within its comfort zone. Anything more challenging than that belongs to a body‑on‑frame SUV.

• According to MG, the RX9 has the most premium interior the brand has produced. This is not hard to verify; rather, it is quickly noticeable once you get inside the car. The interior feels far more quality-oriented and upscale than the price suggests. For example, the beige and brown leather with wooden trim inserts looks warm and genuinely considered. The black version with aluminum accents looks sharp. Both feel finished rather than quickly assembled to meet a budget.​
• The second row is where the RX9 clearly separates itself from rivals at this price. Seats reclining to 140 degrees in a seven‑seat SUV under SAR 140,000 are not something you find in a Highlander or Palisade without spending more.​
• On the overnight drive from Riyadh to Madinah or the long stretch down to Abha, a second‑row passenger can be quite restful. That matters for a Saudi family using their car for real journeys.
• The tri‑zone climate control lets the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants manage their own temperature independently.​
• The Bose 12‑speaker system on the luxury trim fills the cabin well. The eight‑speaker setup on lower trims is decent, but the gap is noticeable side by side.​

What is missing?

• The front passenger seat offers only four‑way electric adjustment, while the driver gets eight‑way. At SAR 110,000 and above, a front passenger on a long drive from Riyadh to Taif will want more than four directions. It is a small gap in an otherwise generous equipment list, but it is daily friction.​

• The RX9 uses the Bosch 3rd‑generation intelligent front view camera and 5th‑generation millimeter‑wave radar, the same hardware found in significantly more expensive European SUVs.​
• Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are standard across all trims. On the congested roads of Riyadh and the fast‑moving motorways into Jeddah, this suite works actively in daily driving.​
• The HD 360‑degree surround‑view camera on all trims is among the sharpest in this segment at this price. Parking the wide RX9 body in a Riyadh mall basement or along the tighter streets of Al Balad in Jeddah becomes a managed process.​
• The body uses more than 80 percent high‑strength steel; this is a good thing. And MG inspires confidence with such build quality and certainly provides much‑needed reassurance where local or regional crash‑test results are not yet available. Overall, the RX9 seems to be a safer car, as you hardly miss anything that really matters in terms of features.​

What's missing

• There is no Gulf-specification crash-test result for the RX9. The Bosch hardware and high‑strength steel are meaningful indicators, but a formal regional rating would carry more weight for a family making a purchase with safety as a priority. This is not a minor thing to ignore, but knowing in advance helps you make the right decision.
• The RX9 is priced attractively against a Palisade or Highlander today. In three years, when a buyer of Murabaha wants to exit ownership, the residual‑value gap between an MG and a Toyota at the same original price is real and significant. Check the used market before you commit, not after.​