In a market full of "lifestyle" trucks making big promises about rugged luxury, the MG TRQ-L feels surprisingly honest. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It looks like a pickup, drives like one, and feels built for people who actually need to move things. I had the keys for a few days, and honestly, that simplicity grew on me. It’s not trying to be a family hauler or a status symbol. It’s a tool. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

At the heart of the MG TRQ-L is a 2.0-liter turbo diesel. On paper, the numbers are standard, but on the road, it delivers usable power where it counts. There’s strong low-end torque, so crawling through traffic or pulling away from a stop never feels strained. Is there turbo lag? Sure, a little bit at low RPM. But it settles quickly and doesn’t really get in the way. Overtaking is easy enough once you’re moving.

I was actually impressed by the transmission. The variant I drove had the eight-speed automatic, and it was smooth and predictable. It shifted cleanly throughout the rev range without those annoying little delays you sometimes feel in other trucks in the market today.

As for the ride, well, it leans firm, which makes sense. It’s meant to be a workhorse. With an empty bed, the suspension can feel stiff, but that’s par for the course. Add some weight, and the truck becomes noticeably more settled. I took it over a grassy field for some light off-roading (nothing extreme, it’s a 4x2 after all) and it handled the uneven surface without any drama.

The steering weight felt well-judged to me. Not too light, not too heavy. You get enough feedback to know what the front end is doing, which is reassuring in a vehicle this size.

"Practical" is probably the best word for the interior. The cabin feels solidly assembled. Everything is laid out where you expect it to be. The materials aren’t fancy. You won’t find plush soft-touch leather everywhere, but they feel appropriate. It feels like something that could survive being cleaned after a muddy day on site.

The 10.25-inch screen is responsive enough for daily use, and the general design is tidy. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, which is always a great plus. However, I did notice it only has two speakers. That feels a bit too bare for 2025. If you love your music, you might find it lacking.

There was one thing that caught me off guard: there are no interior grab handles. It’s not a deal-breaker, I guess, but on a truck this tall, you notice their absence immediately when you’re trying to climb in. Thankfully, it comes with a step board, which helps. Feature-wise, it’s straightforward but complete. You get parking sensors, a reverse camera with guidelines, Hill Descent Control, stability control, cruise control, and tire pressure monitoring. It’s all the stuff you actually use. I do wish it had more than two airbags, though.

This is where the TRQ-L makes its strongest case. The bed is sizable, the payload is competitive, and the painted-on bedliner is a nice touch. If you move heavy equipment, timber, or tools on a regular basis, this truck can handle it without fuss.

The competition is tough, obviously. You have giants like the Hilux, D-Max, Ranger, and the Navara dominating the segment. MG still has to prove it belongs in that territory, especially when it comes to long-term durability and aftersales support.

But then you look at the price. The TRQ-L comes in at P1,248,888 for the manual and P1,338,888 for the automatic. At those figures, the AT variant undercuts most mainstream pickups by a noticeable amount. You’re getting a torquey diesel, a smooth eight-speed auto, and solid payload capacity without paying the "lifestyle tax" that usually comes with the established choices.

This isn’t a lifestyle truck. It’s not really a family car, either. It is a workhorse for people who need a dependable beater or a straightforward hauler without unnecessary extras.

If your priority is to get things done rather than impress anyone, the TRQ-L is worth a look. MG still has a way to go to prove its long-term credibility in this category, but this feels like a solid step in the right direction.