LIFE IN CHARGE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Maxus brings us a far more satisfying full-electric pick-up, the eTerron 9. Jonathan Crouch briefs you on it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 41

With the eTerron 9, Chinese maker Maxus brings us the kind of properly capable AWD all-electric pick-up we should have had from the start. You might still not be ready for an all-electric pick-up, but this one shows they're getting better.

Backgroundword count: 116

We promised you that all-electric pick-up trucks were coming - and they are. The leader in this part of the segment isn't a mainstream brand but Chinese maker Maxus, who you may remember imported the very first electric pick-up here, the T90 in 2023. The disadvantage to that model was that it couldn't be had with 4WD. And that it was extremely limited in towing ability. Both are issues dealt with by a far more satisfying Maxus pick-up, the eTerron 9 model we look at here. It's a substantial thing - bigger than a Ford Ranger - and offers an EV range figure greater even than a Tesla Cybertruck. Sounds intriguing. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 194

This is an altogether gutsier contender than its rather feeble 2WD T90 predecessor. The eTerron 9 comes only with 4WD and offers over double the power output of the previous model, with 435bhp (more than a Ford Ranger Raptor). That's courtesy of a 167bhp motor on the front axle and a 268bhp motor at the rear. Expect rapid acceleration (0-62mph takes 5s) and the top speed is 118mph. You'd imagine a huge battery would be required to drive an output like that and you'd be right. It's 102kWh in size but the eTerron 9's extra weight means it only takes this pick-up 47 miles further than the T90 could go - the range is 267 miles. Still, that's further than the trend-setting Tesla Cybertruck can manage. There's an all-terrain driving mode system with a choice of six settings, including off-road ones for sand and mud. In total, Maxus says that its all-terrain system's customisable mode has 400 possible combinations. Unusually for a pick-up, air suspension is fitted, which means ride height can be adjusted. And the eTerron 9 can tow vastly more than the old T90, up to 3,500kg (just like a combustion Ranger).

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227