NINE LIVES (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Chinese brand Maxus enters the all-electric part of the large luxury MPV segment with this MIFA 9. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 38

Chinese van maker Maxus tries its hand at the super-luxury MPV market with this model, the MIFA 9. It doesn't quite have the polish of more established electrified alternatives, but there's quite a price saving to be had.

Backgroundword count: 299

An interesting but little-noticed footnote in this new electrified era has been the gradual emergence of new super-large, super-luxury MPV People Carriers from brands new to the segment bringing designs not obviously based on vans. Previously, all really big limo-like MPVs had been based on LCVs, notably the Mercedes V-Class and the Volkswagen Multivan. But in 2023, we got the resolutely car-engineered Lexus LM. Which was followed a few months later by the long wheelbase seven-seat version of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz EV. And then by the model we look at here, the Maxus MIFA 9. Obviously, brands like Lexus and Maxus couldn't be further apart in terms of perceived brand identity. And of course Maxus is a van brand, so though the LCV engineering here isn't quite as obvious as it is with a Multivan or a V-Class, there's still plenty of it below the surface. The MIFA 9 is an international product and not always sold by parent Chinese conglomerate SAIC as a 'Maxus'. It's marketed in Australia for instance, as an LDV and in Asia as an MG. Here though, it's a Maxus and sold in EV form only. Its key rival is the Mercedes EQV - and possibly the aforementioned lengthier ID.Buzz (though that's not nearly as spacious inside). Elsewhere in the segment, the Lexus LM is only offered as a non-plug-in Hybrid and a Multivan can be a PHEV. But if you're going to be using your super-large MPV in a congestion law-limited European city, you might need it to be an EV. In which case this Maxus is, predictably, a much more cost-effective alternative than its chief Mercedes rival. But what are the compromises you'll be called upon to make as a MIFA 9 owner for that cost saving? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 264

An enormous electric MPV needs an enormous battery and to some extent, that's what the MIFA 9 gets. It's 90kWh in size, which gives the base 'Elite' model 273 mile range; it's 267 miles for the top 'Premium' version. There's no dual motor drivetrain option; just a front-mounted 245hp motor with 350Nm of torque, which works via the usual single-speed EV auto transmission, makes 60mph in 9.9s and runs out of puff at 112mph. That's if you select the provided 'Sport' driving mode, which you generally won't because it severely affects driving range. The other two settings are 'Normal' and 'Eco'. Body roll isn't quite as bad through fast tight turns as you might fear, thanks to the usual EV ultra-low centre of gravity. But given the 2.5-tonne kerb weight and slab-sided profile, you won't be surprised to hear that the MIFA 9 doesn't enjoy being hustled along. Its speciality is of course highway cruising - though that's not as silent as you might hope and will certainly not be unless you can disable the constant lane assist system beeping. The vast body width will take some getting used to on a typical British country road. And on such a route, folks in the back might start getting a bit queasy if you keep the regenerative braking set to 'High' as this really does arrest off-throttle progress quite abruptly - the 'Low' and 'Standard' settings are of course easier to live with, though of course less energy-efficient. Ride quality judders and shudders over speed bumps and potholes a bit more than you'd want too.

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