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 Review

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.

Background

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 Experience

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.

Design and Build

It's hard to make a big square MPV look unusual and rather futuristic but Maxus has somehow managed it here; whether you'll like the end result is another question. There's a large, high-set bonnet, rather than a sloping one, and the narrow headlamps and prominent bumper aim to create a powerful impression. Huge vertical corner cutouts also characterise the front-end, while the profile is marked out by a strange silver belt line that abruptly rises to the roof over the C-pillar. The neatly styled tailgate with its narrow red light strakes is easily the MIFA 9's best perspective. Overall, this model's certainly big - 5279mm long, 2000mm wide 1840mm tall - about the same as its Mercedes EQV rival. The vast 3,200mm wheelbase length means plenty of rear space. Contrary to what's suggested by the numerals in its name, this Maxus doesn't seat nine. You might be slightly disappointed to find that it doesn't seat eight either (unless you pay extra). Instead, there are two 'Captain's Chairs' up front, with a further pair of seats in the second row (and the option of an extra middle one), then three chairs at the very back. Even in the third row, there's enough headroom adults of up to 5-foot 9-inches in height. There are adjustable air-conditioning vents for each row. Behind the wheel, you wouldn't think you were in a Lexus LM or an EQV, but with top 'Premium' trim, the stitched leather is quite nice and you get front massaging seats and two fully opening sunroofs. Out back, the 466-litre boot isn't quite as large as the van-like dimensions suggest it's going to be, but obviously if you fold down third row seats, there's an enormous amount of space - up to 2,017-litres with the second and third rows folded.

Market and Model

There are three different trim levels to choose from - 'Elite', 'Luxury' and 'Premium'. From launch, the Maxus concessionaire, Harris Group in Ireland, wanted from £64,306 including VAT for this MIFA 9 in base 'Elite' form. You'll need around £5,000 more for mid-range 'Luxury' trim and around £77,000 (again inc. VAT) for the top 'Premium'-spec version. The first two trim levels can be had at no extra cost with an eight-seat format (that gives you an extra chair in the centre of the second row). The 'Premium' model is seven-seat-only. A likely business customer reclaiming VAT will save of course on the inc-VAT figures we've quoted - ex-VAT pricing starts from around £54,000. All models come decently equipped with LED headlights, auto front and rear air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, a 7-inch digital instrument screen and a 12.3-inch central infotainment monitor. With mid-range 'Luxury'-spec, you get power sliding side doors, privacy glass, an 8-speaker audio system, 64-colour ambient lighting and a wireless charging mat, plus the upholstery is in a mixture of polyurethane and PVC leather and the driver seat features 8-way electrically adjustable and 4-way electric power lumbar support. You will need to stretch to the top 'Premium'-spec model to get the twin electric sunroof arrangement. 'Premium' spec also includes a heated steering wheel, a leather and PVC upholstery combination, a premium 12-speaker audio system and massaging heated front seats. Safety features include an autonomous emergency braking system, Lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, a lane change assist system, a driver fatigue monitor, an emergency lane keeping assist system, rear autonomous emergency braking and a rear collection warning system. Plus there are the usual time twin front and side airbags, along with a curtain airbag, all linked to an e-call system.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you this car's total 273 mile combined driving range figure earlier - that's for the base 'Elite' version. It's 270 miles for the mid-range 'Luxury' model and 267 miles for the top 'Premium' version that most will probably want. Obviously, if you use this MPV exclusively around the city, as with every EV, the range figure will rise - to as much as 370 miles with the 'Elite' model. You will need to make proactive use of the provided three-setting regenerative braking system to get near these quoted range figures. A heat pump is included to preserve driving range in particularly cold weather. This draws heat from the surrounding air, reducing the energy strain on the climate fan. There's an 11kW charger and a 20-80% public DC charge of the 90kWh battery can be completed in 30 minutes. A home AC charge via a typical 7.4kW wallbox would take 11 hours. You can reduce that to eight and a half hours charging from 5-100% via an 11kW wallbox. You will need peace of mind in buying from an unfamiliar brand. To that end, Maxus provides a 5 year / 100,000 mile warranty, with an additional 8 year / 125,000 mile package covering the battery.

Summary

Name acronyms don't usually tell you much about the product they're badged against - and so it is here. 'MIFA' apparently stands for 'Maximum Intelligent Friendly and Artistic'. Perhaps there's a Chinese meaning in there somewhere. The importers here think this MPV will sell to chauffeurs, hotel owners and taxi companies - which is probably true. And to families - which might be a bit of a stretch given how relatively close Maxus has priced this model to a Mercedes EQV. An EQV though, decked out in a similar level of luxury, would be vastly more expensive, which gives this Chinese newcomer an opportunity in a market sector where that Mercedes is currently it's only real rival, unless you count the considerably less spacious Volkswagen ID.Buzz lwb. All the other super-luxury MPVs you could name, even the electrified ones, have combustion engines that will shortly be banned (or heavily taxed) in the major European cities where vehicles like this typically need to operate. So perhaps the MIFA 9 is 'Intelligent' after all. If you're one of the rare people who'll want one, you'll certainly think so.