Driving report: Maxus Mifa 9
Surprising luxury
Maxus Mifa 9 Luxury
© press-inform – the press office
So far, Maxus has primarily been able to make a name for itself as a commercial vehicle offshoot of the Chinese SAIC group. But the new Mifa 9 has nothing to do with the usual white goods of the eDelivery models, because the electric family van is more luxurious than ever and currently has almost no competition.
Many car fans will hardly know the brand name Maxus and then the model name Mifa 9? None! The electric van is more of a business transporter than a pure family vehicle and offers unlimited space and comfort, especially in the luxurious rear. Maxus is serious about its expansion strategy and even if the SAIC subsidiary earns its money in more than 50 markets worldwide primarily with vans and trucks, the portfolio is also to be expanded into other areas. The Maxus Mifa 9, the second electric model alongside the Pick Up T90 EV, which is not only intended to appeal to commercial customers, shows what this can look like. Like the rustic T90 EV, the Mifa 9 currently has hardly any real competition. There are a few family vans, but they still largely rely on diesel drives and so the Maxus Mifa 9 primarily has to deal with a Mercedes EQV or the new VW ID Buzz. The electric Mifa 9 is not really cheap when it enters the European market. Only a few are likely to opt for the basic version, which costs 68,990 euros, and so it should be, at least for most people interested in the luxury version, which costs 77,390 euros.
The 5.27 meter long van is powered by a 180 kW / 245 hp electric motor on the front axle, which delivers a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The front-wheel drive, which weighs around 2.4 tons, pulls noticeably on the steering when turning, because the torque is lively right from the start and the 19-inch wheels have trouble getting all the power to the ground. The top speed is 180 km/h, which is suitable for long-distance journeys, and the 90 kWh battery pack in the underbody should ensure a range of more than 430 kilometers before it goes back to the charging station for refueling with a standard consumption of 21.5 kWh / 100 kilometers. Here, the charging speed of 120 kW is not exuberant, but it is still significantly higher than the pick-up with its narrow 80 kW. In half an hour, the Mifa 9 gains strength from 30 to 80 percent. The Mifa tensile load is 1,000 kilograms.
Inside, the Maxus van offers a real show, starting with the luxury equipment variant. Not only does it offer extremely comfortable armchairs in the front, but the two individual seats in the second row in particular can be laid almost flat, just like in business class on an airplane. There are also air-conditioned seats, a massage function and USB ports for your own equipment. Practically on the back of the front center armrest: a 220-volt connection for a notebook or larger equipment. In the third row, a little cramped, three more passengers can take a seat – it’s better if there are only two, because then the atmosphere is better not only on longer journeys. In addition, the Mifa offers electric sliding doors, a large tailgate and two sunroofs, which can also be operated electrically if desired, bringing a lot of light into the interior. Behind the leather steering wheel, the driver looks at a seven-inch animated cockpit and operates the central vehicle functions via a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center of the dashboard. A radio or sound system with Apple Car Play or Bluetooth connectivity provide on-board entertainment. There are charging cradle in the armrest and in front of the center console for two mobile phones – more is hardly possible. Depending on the seat configuration, the load space is between 450 and over 2,000 liters. Shuttle services should also be happy about that.
No big surprise for the driver: the Maxus Mifa 9 is comfortable on the road and with its 180 kW / 245 hp electric motor it doesn’t have to hide when things need to go a little faster. This also applies to the chassis, which largely eliminates bad road surfaces and only has a little more difficulty with rough impacts and painful transverse joints. The steering is as smooth as it is precise and, together with the good 360-degree camera system, ensures that the almost 5.30 meter long China van does not overwhelm the driver, even in narrow streets or when parking. What pleases is the solid noise insulation that the noble Maxus offers its occupants even without insulating glass, if they haven’t fallen asleep faster than they would like on the comfortable armchairs anyway. Meanwhile, it is not only the comfortable seating position that ensures relaxation for the driver, but also the numerous assistance systems, which sometimes mean it a little too well acoustically. The lane departure warning system in particular is not only sensitive, but also a real pain in the ass that you better turn off because you don’t want to annoy yourself or your passengers.