With its 5,27-meter length and full two meters width, the Chinese Maxus’ MIFA9 is quite a giant-looking full electric people mover for seven or eight persons. A challenge to test drive on narrow roads in the hinterland of Namur. But that proved surprisingly pleasant: a rather pussyfooting elephant, we would say.

The price of its most luxurious Maxus MIFA9 version (€68 586,80 VAT excl.) being just under the Mercedes EQV Tourer’s basic version (€70 205 VAT excl.), gives you an idea of who the competitor to beat will be in the VIP shuttle business. The question is: will price alone be enough to take up the challenge?

Grabbing 15% of the Belgian e-LCV market

The still boxy design gives away Maxus’s background as an electric van specialist, as we best know the subbrand of Shanghai Automobile and Industrial Corporation (SAIC), the largest automotive manufacturer in China.

Yes, that’s also the one who bought the MG brand name, the best-selling Chinese EV in Belgium today, imported (like Hyundai and Maxus) by Astara Western Europe. The latter wants to make the Maxus brand number one in electric Light Commercial Vehicles (e-LCVs) by 2025, grabbing 15% of the Belgian market with a sales target of +2 000 vehicles.

Luxury seven-seater

In China, production of Maxus accelerated from 7 000 to 229 000 (2022) units in just ten years, spread over three factories and four R&D centers. Today’s line-up for Europe includes the eDeliver vans (3 and 9), an ICE Deliver van, an electric pickup T90 EV, and a light electric truck EH300 D7.5 that are next to cross over to Belgium.

Not to forget the latest arrival, the MIFA9 people mover. This one is now available in Belgium as a luxury seven-seater in three flavors: Elite, Luxury, and Premium, with prices from €57 016,50 to €68 586,80 (VAT excl.). An eight-seat version is coming next. But there are more ‘passenger vehicles’ to wash ashore in the future, probably with a line-up of SUVs, pickups, and MPVs.

With the Maxus MIFA9, Astara hopes to seduce some large families in Belgium that value the luxurious space offered, but more likely, we will see these people movers in a professional environment, such as an electric VIP airport shuttle or taxi, for instance. Consider future inner cities where ICE taxis will be banned, among others.

And there, the Mercedes EQV and the – for now still smaller – Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz, or the Peugeot e-Traveller, and its siblings Citroën ë-SpaceTourer, Opel Zafira Life-e, or Fiat e-Ulysse come in the picture as competitors to beat.

The latter can make things hot for the Maxus regarding price. A top-version Peugeot e-Traveller Long L3 Business VIP at €62 553,72 (VAT excl.) ducks under the price.

Advantage in power and range

But even in its ultimate version, the Peugeot has a limited power of 100 kW (136 hp) and a 75 kWh battery, with ranges up to 285-339 km. The Maxus MIFA9 plays one category higher with 180 kW (245 hp) and a 90 kWh battery for a 430 to 440 km range (WLTP). In the case of the Mercedes EQV, we’re talking about 150 kW (204 hp) and 353 km with a similar 90 kWh battery.

So the Chinese have an advantage in power and range, but how does this translate into actual driving on the road? The Maxus surprises by being very light-footed despite its dimensions and its 2 310 up to 2 600 kg weight.

That, combined with the suspension, which does a thorough job of soaking up road imperfections, and the handling almost comparable with a regular passenger car, benefits driving pleasure and passenger comfort.

Never out of breath

Even on curvy and hilly Ardennes roads, the MIFA9 never seemed out of breath. The 180 kW- Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that drives the front wheels can cope easily without being a top sprinter with 350 Nm torque.

It offers three driving modes (Normal, ECO, and Sport), but you’ll have to dive deep into the menus of the central 12,3-inch touch screen to find them. There is no shortcut, with only limited physical buttons available.

Regarding the user interface, there might be room for improvement. Everything – including opening the panoramic roof – can be done from the touch screen if you want to dig into its menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, on the other hand, are standard.

Frugal with energy

Anyway, energy consumption – only 17.1 kWh/100 km WLTP on paper – proved in real-world conditions reasonable, around 20  to 22 kWh on average during our test. That’s not bad, considering Mercedes advertises 28,3 kWh/100 km (WLTP) and Peugeot 23 to 30 kWh/100 km. Hence the better range for the MIFA9, without a doubt.

MIFA is supposed to be an acronym for ‘Maximum, Intelligent, Friendly, and Artistic’. We can acknowledge ‘Maximum’ (leg) space, luxury, and comfort even in the basic Elite version; there is nothing to complain about. When we’re talking Premium, you’ll appreciate the comfort of the leather seats with heating, ventilation, and massage as a driver or front passenger.

Sitting in the second row is a business class experience you would expect in long-haul airplanes. Two individual seats can move electrically in all directions (even sideways) and recline to a sleeping position, including footrests. All are controlled through a small touch screen built into the armrest.

Limited luggage space

Even the third row, a bench for three, leaves ample leg space for adults. But all this lavishly provided passenger space comes at a price in luggage storage. After that third road, there are 466 liters of space, allowing six passengers to bring one trolley each, sized for airplane cabin allowance.

But no more unless you add a trailer (1 000 kg max). The Peugeot, for instance, does better with 700 liters to even 1 300 in its extended version. And that goes, too, for the Mercedes with 990 liters.

‘Intelligent’ is the Maxus too, with all driver aid systems (ADAC) you can wish for standard available, including 360° camera views. In the Premium version, the rearview mirror is a digital screen. Not convinced, though, that this is a plus, as you’ll always have to adjust your eyes’ focus when looking behind you.

‘Friendly’ – we assume – has to do with the price setting and the long list of standard equipment, even in the ‘basic’ version, while options at Mercedes can make the competition’s final price quite spicy. Finally, we leave the ‘Artistic’ from the acronym to your imagination as tastes can differ…