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SAIC Motor's LDV brand is giving its flagship Terron 9 dual-cab a serious lifestyle push, with new camper and fishing-focused production trims launched in China under the Maxus Star X name. The variants add factory-fitted canopy hardware, all-terrain tyres and a fold-down bulkhead — equipment Australian buyers currently can't get on the local Terron 9.
Updated June 30, 2026
For years, LDV's largest pick-up has done its best work on construction sites and mine access roads. The Terron 9's Australian specifications — road-focused tyres, work-biased trim and a no-nonsense cabin — leave little doubt about the intended audience. But in the vehicle's home market of China, LDV is now showing a softer, more adventurous side of the same ute.
The Chinese-market Maxus Star X, which is essentially the Terron 9 under a different badge, recently gained a pair of lifestyle-oriented factory configurations. Both target buyers who view their dual-cab as more than a load-hauler. Rather than sending those customers down the aftermarket path, LDV is now fitting the equipment on the production line.
The most significant addition is a factory canopy that seals the cargo bed. Because the Terron 9's tub has a pass-through opening to the cabin, fitting that canopy creates an enclosed rear space that can function as a basic camper. Fold the rear seats flat, and the cabin extends over the load floor to form a surface large enough for a double mattress — a feature LDV calls "mobile bed mode." There is no need for aftermarket drawer systems or DIY sleep platforms; the transformation is engineered from the factory.
In that configuration, the combined cabin-and-load volume reaches 3,000 litres. For a mid-size ute, that is a serious amount of protected space for camping gear, fishing tackle or weekend luggage.
LDV has also readied a fishing-themed Star X for buyers who want more purpose-built gear stowage. This edition adds built-in rod holders, organised tackle storage and a sealed wet-storage compartment that keeps slippery or muddy catch-carrying gear separate from the rest of the load. It is a niche package, but a clever one — fishing is a pastime that fills plenty of dual-cab tubs around Australia and Asia, and most owners currently make do with buckets and bungee cords.
Beneath the adventure-themed bodywork, the Star X retains the mechanical package that gives the Terron 9 its tough reputation. Front and rear locking differentials handle slippery climbs and uneven terrain, an off-road expert mode relaxes traction-control intervention, and steep-descent control manages downhill runs without constant brake input.
The engine is unchanged: a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder making 165kW and 520Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is a powertrain tuned for low-speed control and towing comfort rather than benchmark acceleration, which suits the camper and fishing variants' purpose.
The Star X keeps the bold exterior styling that LDV and Maxus have made their own. The wide stance, prominent T-shaped LED daytime-running lamps and rectangular front grille with its row of metallic inserts give the pick-up an assertive presence. The focus here is on the 18-inch wheels and the new all-terrain tyre option, which is available directly from the factory.
Inside, the cabin mirrors the standard Terron 9's layout: a 12.3-inch digital driver cluster, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and keyless entry with push-button start. It is a competitive, straightforward cabin rather than a luxury showcase — though the double-bed capability adds a party trick no other LDV currently offers.
Chinese-market prices for the Star X run from 185,800 yuan to 263,000 yuan — around A$39,900 to A$55,000, or roughly US$25,600 to US$36,300 in today's money. Even at the upper limit, the combination of locking differentials, factory camper equipment and 3,000 litres of cargo space presents strong value by global pick-up standards.
The standard Terron 9 currently retails in Australia from $50,674 drive-away, a promotional deal valid until September 30, 2026. If the adventure trims were to make it into local showrooms, buyers should expect a price closer to A$60,000 once importation costs and content levels are added up. That would still undercut most popular all-wheel-drive dual-cabs in the Australian market by a healthy margin.
So far, no official word from LDV Australia on whether these variants are planned for local sale. CarsGuide has contacted the division for comment; no confirmation has been offered as of this update.
On the electric front, the e-Terron 9 remains on the brand's Australian roadmap. The closely-related MG U9 — effectively the same vehicle wearing different badges — has already been priced for the Australian market, a strong sign that LDV's battery-electric ute will land before long.
None of this directly affects the United States. LDV and Maxus pick-ups are not sold there, and SAIC Motor has announced no plans for a US debut. Structural barriers make entry painful: the long-standing "chicken tax" imposes a 25% tariff on imported light trucks, and Chinese-built vehicles face an additional 100% tariff.
Even so, the Terron 9's adventure trims are worth watching for what they say about the global pick-up market's direction. Factory camper conversions are exactly what many American truck owners build themselves through a thriving aftermarket of bed caps, rooftop tents and slide-out kitchens for Ford Rangers, Toyota Tacomas and Chevrolet Colorados. If a manufacturer with SAIC's scale ever found a route into the US market — via a North American assembly base or a strategic partnership — a locking-differential ute with a factory sleeping area at Chinese price points could shake up the segment.
For now, these trims remain a China-market product with obvious export appeal. The fact that LDV is spending engineering budget on camper modes and fishing kits suggests pick-up development is increasingly guided by weekend buyers, not just fleet managers. That trend, more than any single model, is what the rest of the world should be watching.
