Maxus gives us its first mid-sized model, the eDeliver 7. Jonathan Crouch checks out what's on offer.

Ten Second Review

Maxus completes its LCV range with this mid-sized eDeliver 7 model, which fits into the Chinese maker's line-up between the compact eDeliver 3 and the large eDeliver 9. Unlike some other electric rivals, it's not compromised in payload and offers cutting-edge connectivity and camera safety features. Yet it still aims to undercut the established players with its value proposition.

Background

Maxus is rapidly becoming an important player in the LCV market. The brand needs a complete range of models in order to take on the established players in the segment. The mid-sized sector where Ford's Transit Custom dominates is the most important of these van classes, a part of the market in which before Spring 2024 and the launch of this eDeliver 7 model Maxus had nothing to offer, except the lengthier versions of its compact eDeliver 3. So the eDeliver 7 could hardly be more important. It's one-tonne payload and high roof option are unusual in the class, as is this LCV's 5 year warranty. Maxus calls this van 'a game changer'. Is it? Let's take a look.

Driving Experience

Unlike the larger eDeliver 9, Maxus isn't offering this eDeliver 7 with a conventional diesel option. But given that this battery model has a longer range than an eDeliver 9, there's less need to. The combined range in question when fitted with the largest 88kWh battery is 230 miles. If that's not as vital to you, a smaller 77kWh battery version is also offered. These units energise a 201bhp electric motor with 330Nm of torque that drives the front wheels. Rest to 62mph takes 11s, but replicate that, you'll need to select the most urgent of the three available drive modes - 'Power'; the other two are 'Eco' and 'Normal'. Mindful that the eDeliver 7 will be used on the highway as well as the town, Maxus has been ramping up its camera drive assist tech. Features available here include a lane change assist system, rear cross-traffic alert, an emergency lane keeping assist system and adaptive cruise control with stop&go.

Design and Build

The eDeliver 7's striking looks certainly seem modern and not at all suggestive of a volume brand. As you'd expect, there are two wheelbase lengths on offer. What you possibly wouldn't expect in this class is the provision of two roof height options, but this Maxus offers that too. Inside, there's the usual three-person bench - though two single front seats are an option. Maxus has added a classy touch by including the 12.3-inch centre touchscreen from the Chinese market Mifa 9 luxury electric MPV as standard. This runs Maxus' own software and, as you'd want, features 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. It feels pretty well appointed in the cab, with standard features like a heated steering wheel and a reversing camera. The driver's seat is very comfortable and comes complete with heating, a single armrest, height adjustment, cushion adjustment and adjustable lumbar support.

Market and Model

From launch, prices for the eDeliver 7 were pitched from around £45,000 excluding VAT, but that falls to around £40,000 once the £5,000 UK government electric vehicle grant has been subtracted from the asking price, making this one of the better value mid-sized all-electric vans on the market. It cost a little more though, than its closest rival, the market-leading Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, which after grant deduction is priced from around £37,000. As we said elsewhere, there's a choice of two wheelbases and two roof heights. Whichever eDeliver 7 model you choose, it'll come with plenty of equipment. You can tick off automatic LED headlights, a heated windscreen, a heated steering wheel, air conditioning, all-round parking sensors, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera. Media connectivity is taken care of by a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen. As for safety stuff, well there's blind spot detection, a lane change assist system, rear cross-traffic alert, door-opening warning, an autonomous emergency braking system, a front collision warning system, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and an emergency lane keeping assist system. Plus there's tyre pressure monitoring and fatigue driving monitoring, plus an E-Call system which alerts you if any of the airbags go off. There are twin front airbags - and curtain airbags too.

Practicalities and Costs

A practical load area is fundamental in any LCV and the eDeliver 7 meets the class standard in this regard. It features a heavy-duty bulkhead and rear doors that open wide for easy loading. Let's get to the figures. With the panel van variants, the width of the load compartment is 1,800mm, narrowing to 1,390mm between the wheel arches. The short wheelbase van can offer 5.9m³ of capacity, while the long wheelbase version has 6.7m3 - or up to 8.7m3 in H2 form. In both cases, the floor-to-ceiling height in L1 versions is 1328mm - or 1,693mm in the L2. The cargo area length is 2,547mm in the short wheelbase variants - or 2,913mm in the long wheelbase models. Only a single sliding side door is standard but another one is optional. The side door has a width aperture of 990mm and an L1 height aperture of 1200mm. Payloads vary between 1025kgs and 1200kgs for the short wheelbase variant and between 1025kgs and 1,135kgs for the long wheelbase version. The sliding door width is 710mm and the sliding door height is 1,230mm. The braked trailer capacity is 1500kg. All Maxus vehicles come with a five year warranty or 125,000 miles of cover and include five years roadside assistance cover as standard. This electric van has a 43-minute charge time for 80% battery charge when using a DC charger, or can be fully charged in either 8 or 9.3 hours with an AC charger, depending on your choice between 77kWh or 88kWh battery packs.

Summary

The eDeliver 7 is the Maxus brand's sixth EV vehicle introduction in seven years. Is any LCV maker more committed to battery power? This Chinese marque has quickly become popular with businesses in the pharmacy, retail and delivery sectors - and is already the number one choice for many local councils making the switch to electric. But Maxus couldn't properly serve all these kinds of customers until arrival of this mid-sized model. Were it not for the electric revolution, this marque would be a minor player in the LCV market, but the switch to EV has made customers less badge-conscious and Maxus has seized on the opportunity that represents. But it needs cutting-edge products to sustain that momentum. The eDeliver 7 offers just that.