Everything you need to know about Maxus cars and vans

When it comes to electric mobility, this Chinese manufacturer is taking it to the Max-us.

And if you’re not familiar with the Maxus brand yet, it’s time to get yourself acquainted.

The first thing you need to know is that Maxus is owned by automotive giants SAIC Motor, a Chinese state-owned manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai.

Why is that important?

Well, the good people at SAIC Motor are the ones who masterminded the successful revival of the great British marque MG.

In less than two decades, MG Motor has gone from complete collapse to lauded electric pioneers, with the MG4 EV picking-up a clutch of industry awards while the traditionally-fuelled MG HS SUV was the best-selling car in January of this year.

So, just like with MG, you overlook SAIC’s Maxus at your peril.

While Maxus is predominantly known for its light commercial vehicles - particularly those of a battery-powered persuasion - the firm is also wading into the passenger car market.

Maxus passenger vehicles

In recent weeks Maxus launched the highly-distinctive MIFA 9 people mover (above), an all-electric seven-seater that’s being billed as the ‘world’s first, full-size pure electric MPV’.

With that big, imposing front end, the MIFA 9 is impossible to ignore. To our eyes, there are some style similarities with the Nissan Elgrand, which is no bad thing at all seeing as how the Elgrand is one of the UK’s most popular Japanese imports.

The MIFA 9 - with MIFA standing for ‘Maximum, Intelligent, Friendly and Artistic’, by the way - makes use of a 90 kWh battery that gives you a range of up to 273 miles between charges.

To put that figure into perspective, the Mercedes-Benz EQV people carrier has a lesser range of around 213 miles, despite costing more than the Maxus.

So that’s a definite tick in the box.

The MIFA 9 supports rapid charging and you’ll be able to replenish the battery from 20-80% in around 30 minutes.

Meanwhile there’s also an abundance of power - 245 PS allied to 350 Nm of torque - to ensure getting behind the wheel of the MIFA 9 should be a pleasurable experience.

Another big tick for the MIFA 9 is the equipment fitted as standard - which includes adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.

Away from the MIFA 9, the other big news on the passenger vehicle front for 2023 is the electric T90EV pickup (above), which was available to order at the tail end of last year.

Being a pickup, the T90EV straddles the line between ‘passenger’ and ‘light commercial vehicle’, but there will be plenty of customers who’d appreciate one for personal and leisure purposes.

Like the MIFA 9, there are things about the T90EV that mark it out as different from rivals like the Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux.

The most glaringly-obvious is the powertrain - with the T90EV proudly calling itself the UK’s first all-electric pickup.

You get a 88.5 kWh battery, up to 220 miles between charges, a 1,000kg payload, and a full recharge from a home wall box in around seven hours.

The other notable element is that the Maxus T90EV comes with a double cab as standard - and you also get a fully-connected infotainment system with 10.25 touchscreen.

To our eyes, it looks great as well.

Maxus Light Commercial Vehicles

If you’ve got a job that needs doing, you’ll find a Maxus van capable of some hard graft.

There are three main LCVs to choose from - the Deliver 9 large van, the eDeliver 9 electric large van (above), and the smaller eDeliver 3 electric van.

You might consider the traditionally-fuelled Deliver 9 - which is also available as a chassis cab - a rival to vans like the Volkswagen Crafter, Ford Transit or Fiat Ducato, while the battery-powered version takes on the likes of the Ford E-Transit, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and the Fiat E-Ducato.

The diesel Deliver 9 has a payload of up to 1,360kg, depending on which size vehicle you opt for, while there are plenty of creature comforts as standard, including reverse parking sensors and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat.

The eDeliver 9, on the other hand, has a slightly lower payload of 1,290kg but has a range of up to 219 miles between charges.

How does that stack up against rivals?

Pretty well, actually, with the Ford E-Transit having a maximum range of 196 miles while the current Mercedes-Benz eSprinter can travel up to 95 miles between charges - though a new long-range eSprinter is due to arrive later this year.

The more compact eDeliver 3 sits in the same market as the Citroen e-Berlingo and Mercedes eVito. You get a maximum payload of 945 kg and a range between charges of 151 miles - when you choose the larger 52.5 kWh battery that’s on offer. A smaller 35 kWh unit is also available.

Again, it’s really well-specced as standard, boasting a 7 inch touchscreen, reversing camera, rear parking sensors and heated seats.

A full charge from a dedicated wall box will take just 5 hours.

The next move for Maxus in 2023?

It’s clear Maxus is targeting growth in the UK market - and lots of it. Dealer networks are growing and more vehicles from Maxus’ global line-up may ultimately start winging their way to Blighty, though this our speculation at present with no confirmation from Maxus.

One we’ve got our eye on - and which we’d love to see here in the UK - is the Maxus V70 MPV (above), which has a lovely two-tone paint job to rival the Volkswagen Multivan.

Maxus says the V70, which is going on sale in markets like China, is powered by a 2.0 litre diesel mill, while an electric version may also be in the works... to rival the vehicle-of-the-moment Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

To check out lease prices for the entire Maxus range, head to our Select Car Leasing Maxus pages.

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