Comparison: MG RX8 vs MG RX9

Saudi Arabia : MG Motor is one of the more popular new car brands in the Middle East. The Chinese-owned British automaker retails a wide variety of cars that include hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs. In Saudi Arabia, two of the top-selling MG SUVs include the older but larger RX8 and the all-new RX9.

The MG RX8 arrived in the Middle East in September 2019, featuring a traditional body-on-frame chassis. This platform is pretty much the same as that underpinning the more agrarian MG T60 pickup. On the other hand, the newer and more modern MG RX9 is a midsize crossover built on a monocoque platform.

Given its age, MG Motor KSA may decide to discontinue the RX8 sooner or later. Therefore, if you’ve set your sights on this SUV, grab one before it’s too late. The two cars we have here are not direct competitors and aren’t directed at the same type of buyers. However, both are interesting in their own unique ways.

Price Comparison

1. There are three distinct variants/trims of the MG RX8 in Saudi Arabia. The base variant is the 2WD STD, followed by the mid-trim 4WD COM, and the top 4WD LUX. The price of the MG RX8 in Saudi Arabia starts at SAR 82,800. However, there’s also the MG RX8 Black Edition, which costs from SAR 116,610.
2. Compared to the RX8, purchasing an all-new MG RX9 would require you to step up your budget. This is because even the 2WD COM entry-level variant of the RX9 is priced from SAR 110,400 in Saudi Arabia. Apart from this, the other variants/trims are the 4WD COM and 4WD LUX+. The price of the fully-loaded LUX+ variant is SAR 137,425.

Dimensions Comparison

Dimensions	MG RX8	MG RX9
Length	4,923 mm	4,983 mm
Width	1,930 mm	1,967 mm
Height	1,840 mm	1,786 mm
Wheelbase	2,850 mm	2,915 mm
Weight	Up to 2,115 kg	Up to 2,030 kg
Fuel capacity	70 liters	70 liters
Boot capacity	Up to 2,178 liters	Up to 1,026 liters
Wheel size	Up to 20 inches	Up to 21 inches

 The new RX9 is not only longer and wider than the RX8, but it also has a longer wheelbase. The RX8 is understandably taller and heavier, while its maximum boot capacity is over 1,000 liters more than the RX9. Meanwhile, the RX9 fights back with 21-inch alloy wheels and the same fuel tank size as its larger sibling.

The RX8, despite its tall stature, is relatively good at drawing a clean line through corners. Its suspension handles bad roads well, too. If you want a slightly more adept suspension tune and handling, the all-new RX9 does better more often. Its steering certainly feels lighter, making city driving easier.

Drivetrain and Performance Comparison

Specs	MG RX8	MG RX9
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder	2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
Gearbox	6-speed AT	9-speed AT
Drive System	AWD	AWD
Power	221 hp	201 hp
Torque	360 Nm	350 Nm
Mileage	10.1 kmpl	11.3 kmpl
Top Speed	180 kmph	200 kmph
0-100 kmph	9.1 sec	9 sec

 Despite its bulk being powered by a 2.0-liter engine, the MG RX8 is not a slow car. While it may not be the most agile MG SUV, the RX8 gets up to 100 kmph reasonably quickly. The engine and the 6-speed torque converter work in unison to achieve a smooth getaway from traffic stops.

The on-demand all-wheel-drive system is capable of transferring power between the axles and the four corners effortlessly. This, along with the RX8’s 255-section tires, ensures good traction even on subpar surfaces. However, the hydraulically-assisted steering feels heavy at times. It might look beefy and off-road ready, but the RX8 is very much a soft-roader, perhaps even a mild rough-road conqueror.

The MG RX9, on the other hand, is purely a soft-roader. While it has a similar AWD setup like the RX8 (with an ‘OFF-ROAD’ mode), the RX9 won’t be dune bashing anytime soon. Where the RX9 performs better is on the road, feeling nimbler and more precise to steering inputs. It’s faster than the RX8 as well.

Features Comparison

Exterior Features	MG RX8	MG RX9
Automatic LED headlights	Yes	Yes
LED DRLs	Yes	Yes
LED foglights	Yes	No
Powered & auto-folding ORVMs	Yes (w/ heating)	Yes (w/ memory & heating)
Keyless entry	Yes	Yes (w/ ‘walk away’ auto-lock)
Powered tailgate	Yes	Yes (motion-sensing)
Rain-sensing wipers	Yes	Yes
Roof rack	Yes	No
Flush door handles	No	Yes
Roof spoiler	Yes	Yes

 

Interior Technologies	MG RX8	MG RX9
Push-button start	Yes	Yes (w/ Smart Key)
Electric sunroof	Yes (panoramic)	Yes (panoramic)
Digital driver’s display	No (7-inch color MID)	Yes (12.3-inch)
Touchscreen infotainment	Yes (10.1-inch)	Yes (12.3-inch)
Wireless charger	Yes	Yes
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto	Yes	Yes
Paddle shifters	Yes	No
Sound system	Yes (8-speaker audio)	Yes (12-speaker Bose premium audio)

 

Comfort Offerings	MG RX8	MG RX9
Leather upholstery	Yes	Yes
Powered front seats	Yes (driver only w/ memory)	Yes (w/ power lumbar & memory)
Ventilated and/or heated seats	Yes (front seats)	Yes (front seats)
Split-folding rear seats	Yes	Yes (second- & third-row)
Automatic climate control	Yes (three-zone)	Yes (three-zone)
Electronic parking brake	Yes	Yes
Adjustable steering column	Yes (reach & rake)	Yes (reach & rake)
Cooled glovebox	Yes	Yes

 

Safety Systems	MG RX8	MG RX9
Adaptive cruise control	No	Yes (w/ collision warning)
Automatic-emergency braking	No	Yes (front)
Lane-departure warning	Yes	Yes (w/ LKA & ELK)
Blind-spot warning	No	Yes
Intelligent high-beam assist	No	Yes
Tire-pressure monitoring	Yes	Yes
Surround-view cameras	Yes	Yes
Airbags	Yes (6)	Yes (6)
Active rollover protection	Yes	Yes
Differential lock	Yes (rear)	No
Hill-descent control	Yes	Yes

 Conclusion

It’s clear that the all-new MG RX9 is the one that offers the greatest number of features, especially on the safety front. Its interior design and creature comforts are a lot more modern than the MG RX8, too. The RX9’s sleeker and aggressive exterior styling has its appeal, while the capability to carry 7 people is ever present.

The MG RX8 certainly looks more robust and hardcore, while offering a spacious cabin with seating for up to 7. The RX8 can be had for less money, though its long-term reliability has been questioned. Considering its recency and better driving characteristics, the MG RX9 is probably a better all-around car.