Maxus T60 Max (2025) Review

Introduction

Double-cab pick-ups are parked at something of a crossroads in the UK right now.

Stripped of their status as ‘commercial’ vehicles and reclassified as ‘cars’ as of April 2025, many of the tax benefits that came with pick-up enjoyment have been eroded, not least when it comes to Benefit in Kind (BIK) and capital allowances. (Read our full explainer about new double-cab pick-up rules here)

It has, then, never been more important for pick-up purveyors to get it right when it comes to their rugged, off-road-ready vehicles.

Does the Maxus T60 Max fall into this category? And can it really compete with market heavyweights like the Ford Ranger, VW Amarok, Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max?

The answer is complex one - but after spending a week with the hulking and handsome T60 Max, it’s a vehicle that should certainly be on your list of options. Find out why below.

At a Glance

Our Maxus T60, wearing striking ‘Metal Black’ paint, arrives - and instantly makes an impression.

It cuts such an imposing figure on the driveway that one neighbour describes it as a ‘monster’. But in the world of pick-ups, we can take that as a compliment.

The most obvious comparison pick-up is the Ford Ranger in Tremor trim. At the time of writing, the Tremor is priced from £35,550 ex VAT, the Maxus T60 Max weighs in at £34,995 ex VAT. So, pretty similar in terms of cost, give or take a few hundred quid.

Yet it’s the Maxus that’s actually marginally longer than the Ranger, which you can feel in the roomy rear of the cabin, while the Ranger is slightly taller than the T60 (1,914mm vs 1,870mm).

The T60 Max is also a bit slimmer than the Ranger Tremor (2,208mm vs 1,960mm) which helps a bit when it comes to parking in those tight supermarket bays.

In terms of the way it looks, the Maxus gets a big thumbs up. And what you see here in these pics is what you get when you lease a T60, as there’s just one trim level to play with.

So, you can expect a load bed with a sliding tonneau cover and a sports bar, chunky side steps, roof rails, a hydraulic soft-closing tailgate, protective wheel arch cladding and sensibly-sized 18-inch alloys.

An aggressive front grille immediately catches the eye and, to be perfectly honest, wouldn’t look amiss in a Mad Max movie. It’s fair to say, then, that the T60 knows how to make an entrance.

Key Features

We’ve already talked about the way the Maxus T60 Max looks, but this ‘one trim level fits all’ approach from Maxus also needs a little extra explaining.

The T60 Max is all about finding that perfect balance between affordability and versatility. Maxus reckons the T60 is ideal whether you’re using it for work or pleasure, too, which seems about right after we spent seven days in one.

And Maxus certainly hasn’t skimped when it comes to the list of kit that’s fitted as standard. You get (take a deep breath here…) a cabin that’s clad in black leather, electric and six-way adjustable heated seats, heated steering wheel, automatic headlights, wireless phone charging, a dual infotainment set up that comprises two massive 12.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear parking sensors, and 360-degree panoramic safety cameras.

It doesn’t end there, as the list of standard-fit safety tech is also extensive. You get adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking and a driver fatigue early warning system. Those systems never feel particularly intrusive and it’s not as ‘bleepy’ as some SUVs we’ve tested recently.

How does that all compare with the Ford Ranger Tremor? The Tremor gets some of the same sorts of exterior features as the T60, like a sports bar, side step and flared wheel arches, but the Ford has smaller 17-inch alloys and a smaller set of screens.

Both the Ford and the Maxus run each other close when it comes to actual load-lugging capabilities.

The T60 enjoys a 1,050 kg payload, the Ranger Tremor can carry 1,039 kg. Both can pull a braked 3,500 kg load on the tow. And the cargo area of both pick-ups is, as near as dammit, identical.

Configurable all-wheel drive comes as standard and allows you to toggle through a High and Low transfer box for when you need maximum traction for off-road mud-running.

You can see, then, that the Maxus T60 Max does a good job of slugging it out with its most likely competitor.

Performance & Drive

The Maxus T60 Max is powered by a traditional 2.0 litre diesel engine with 215 PS and 500 Nm of torque, making it a shade more powerful than the 205 PS unit that comes with the Ford Ranger Tremor. The Maxus’ mill is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Like the 1.9-litre diesel engine you get in the Isuzu D-Max, the Maxus engine isn’t a particularly refined one, as it leans towards the agricultural rather than the sophisticated.

There’s a familiar common rail clatter as you depress your right foot and while Maxus doesn’t quote a 0-62 mph time, it’s fair to say that it’s a leisurely process so you need to set your expectations accordingly.

We spent our time with the T60 Max in fuel efficient, rear-wheel drive only ‘2H’ mode, which often left us prone to wheel spinning at junctions when being too enthusiastic with the throttle, which is another quirk of the Maxus.

You also need to adjust your expectations when it comes to the ride quality. Again, like the Isuzu D-Max, it feels to us like the Maxus leans towards the side of ‘workhorse’ while the Ford Ranger Tremor offers more composure.

Leaf springs at the rear (the Ranger Tremor also leaf springs at the back but a more pliable Bilsten suspension set-up at the front) can make the T60 somewhat unsettled through the worst of the UK’s potholed roads but it is surprisingly sorted through twisty corners and that jitteriness will be nullified with a full load in the back.

There are three drive modes; Eco, Normal and Sport. The ‘Sport’ mode seemed to make the T60 Max noisier without any appreciable difference in pace but it’ll come in useful when you’re carrying heavy cargo or are towing a trailer. You’ll also need to leave a good amount of space while leaving junctions in ‘Eco’ mode as things become more leisurely.

But, all things considered, it’s a decent experience and very much par for pick-ups in general.

It’s a vehicle that grows on you, too, as you learn to adapt to its strengths. While cruising at an un-rushed pace through the green lanes of Cheshire on a crisp spring day, everything made sense. Road noise is reasonably quiet at motorway speeds, too.

Running Costs & Emissions

As we’ve outlined above, double-cab pick-ups like the Maxus T60 Max no longer get favourable tax treatment when it comes to Benefit in Kind, so if you’re running one through your business, you need to be mindful that your wallet will be hit harder than before.

The T60 Max emits 239 g/km of CO2 which makes it less polluting than the Ford Ranger Tremor (which emits 270 g/km of CO2) but still puts it into the 37% BIK bracket and one of the priciest categories for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

Having said all of that, though, the demand for pick-ups will still exist even with the tax increases, and there will be plenty of you reading this who are prepared to shoulder the burden.

Fuel efficiency wise, the T60 Max is strong, returning above 30 miles to the gallon, and it never felt like we were watching the needle move during our test.

Interior & Technology

The cabin of the Maxus T60 Max sits somewhere between the Ford Ranger and the Isuzu D-Max. It’s not quite as plush as the Ranger but swerves some of the utilitarianism of the D-Max.

You’re met with heated leather seats that are electrically adjustable and while they’re not quite as cosseting as they appear at first glance they’re easy to live with when hopping in and out.

A chunky, heated, flat-bottomed steering wheel feels small to begin with but, again, is something that grows on you as you spend more time with the T60 Max.

It’s a doddle to find a comfy driving position, with a lofty ride height giving you a commanding view of the road, and most functions where you’d expect them to be.

The space in the back for rear occupants is positively cavernous, with acres of legroom coupled with a handy USB port and vents for the air con.

There are a few things to mention, though. The gear lever is situated where the windscreen toggle typically is on most cars and you’ll instead need to use a bezel on the left hand stalk instead, which takes a bit of getting used to.

As is the way on a LOT of modern vehicles, there are plenty of functions that are buried in the infotainment system, as opposed to being readily accessible via physical buttons. The heated seats functionality is in there, for example, as is the drive mode selector. While there is a physical button for the heating and cooling system it’s not immediately obvious whether it’s off or on, such is the slightly vague nature of the layout.

Still, the crisp and clear infotainment screens themselves are something of a treat. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto happens without wires and it’s all seamless without any noticeable lag. The 360-degree camera tech is strong, too, with the system displaying a safety-boosting side view when you indicate to turn (even if it does annoyingly turn the music down while it does so).

In terms of the tech, the only other slight gripe is the adaptive cruise control (which can easily be turned off via the menu anyway) as it gets slightly confused when going around corners and wants to slow you down when you should instead by maintaining momentum. It’s a minor quibble but adds to some of the T60 Max’s unique traits.

Practicality & Payload

Practicality is one of the Maxus T60 Max’s plus points and you’ll struggle to find anything to moan about when it comes to payload or interior space.

A 1,050 kg payload is right up there with the best in class, give or take a few kgs, and a braked 3,500 kg towing capacity also ensures the T60 Max keeps up with the pick-up lease industry leaders.

The load bed itself is as long, wide and deep as most competitors. The fact that a sliding, lockable cargo cover comes as standard is a bonus and the tailgate gets hydraulic lift assistance.

You’ll have no arguments at all with the roominess of the cabin, with enough space in the back for passengers to stretch their legs, even with the driver’s seat in its usual position. Colour us impressed.

Safety

The Maxus T60 Max hasn’t yet been put through its paces by industry safety assessors Euro NCAP. But that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t expect it to do well.

The list of standard-issue safety tech is extensive and includes parking sensors at the front and rear, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and a rear differential lock for improved off-road assuredness.

You might also look at another pick-up from Maxus for an idea of its safety credential. The in-bound, fully-electric Maxus eTerron 9 was tested by Euro NCAP at the end of 2024 and received the full five stars while also being awarded an impressive 91% score for adult occupant protection.

Options

The list of options with a Maxus T60 Max lease is pretty limited - largely because it comes in just the one, fully-loaded trim level.

White paint is your no cost option while adding metallic shades of black, blue, orange, grey, or red will add around £12 per month (at the time of writing*) to your monthly lease fee.

And that’s about it.

Rival pick-ups

The Ford Ranger (the UK’s best-selling pick-up) is an obvious comparison, particularly in Tremor trim, where there’s near-parity in terms of pricing. The Tremor, like the T60, is also adept off road and will serve you well if you need a reliable workhorse. The VW Amarok shares much in common with the Ford Ranger (thanks to an alliance between Ford and Volkswagen) and enjoys sleek exterior styling.

The Isuzu D-Max is more expensive (at £36,505 ex VAT) in comparable DL40 trim and is also well worth considering if you’re erring to the side of utility instead of all-out leisure tasks.

It’s a similar story for the Toyota Hilux, which can be leased for similar money to the Maxus T60 and also unlocks a larger 2.8 litre diesel engine (though you still get roughly the same amount of power, torque and payload compared to the T60).

If you’re not afraid to explore the Maxus T60 Max, you might also want to take a look at the KGM Musso. There are design similarities to the T60 and the Musso has won several industry awards in recent history.

If you're looking for an electric pick-up, you could be tempted to wait for the arrival of the Maxus eTerron 9 (below), which has Rivian-esque exterior styling but a lesser 620 kg payload. 

Verdict & Next Steps

The Maxus T60 Max might not be on your immediate list of options when it comes to pick-up leasing, but it’d be a mistake to overlook it. The T60 Max has a lot going for it and Maxus has done a commendable job in bringing it to market.

It’s generously equipped as standard, the cabin is awash with soft-touch materials, it lacks nothing on competitors when it comes to capabilities, and the exterior styling is pretty much unmistakable.

The ride quality takes a little time to adjust to but it’s a pick-up that’ll reward heavy payloads and regular towing responsibilities.

Is the Maxus T60 Max really a genuine alternative to the market heavyweights? As long as you can live with some of its quirks (and all vehicles have them, depending on your tastes) it most definitely is.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Maxus T60 Max.

**Correct as of 24/04/2025. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £4,590.84 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.