[This article was first published on straitstimes.com]

SINGAPORE – The Toyota Alphard is arguably the most sought-after car among limousine operators here – and for good reason. The multi-seat minivan offers more space and versatility than a Mercedes-Benz S-class while costing much less.

Now, the Alphard has an electric rival – the Maxus Mifa 9, a multi-seater which is even bigger and smoother.

Measuring 5,270mm long, 2,000mm wide and 1,840mm tall, with a 3,200mm wheelbase, the Mifa 9 is a veritable lounge on wheels. Its closest rival is the Mercedes-Benz EQV, which is 5,140mm long, 1,928mm wide and 1,901mm tall, with a 3,200mm wheelbase.

Size aside, the Maxus stands tall next to the Mercedes in terms of performance, efficiency, refinement, drivability and styling. The other two electric people-movers – the Opel Zafira-e Life and the BYD M3e – are a rung or two lower.

A possible future contender to the Maxus is the Kia EV9, which will debut by January 2024. But for now, the Chinese space wagon is an enticing pick for those who are looking for a smoke-free commute in business class.

The Maxus has an imposing presence and is strangely pleasing to the eye despite its van-like proportions. Its clean and coherent lines are repeated inside, where thoughtfulness presides over wackiness, and functionality coexists with stylishness.

Its level of fit and finish compares well with what you find in premium models, even if its infotainment and instrumentation screens are small and rather austere. Underscoring its premium feel is a superb hi-fi sound system – a rare thing for a vehicle of its size.

Let there be light... and air: The panoramic sunroofs which can be opened.

Priced just under $285,000, the Mifa 9 is considerably less costly than the $457,888 EQV300, which is slightly better furnished. The price is, in fact, almost on a par with that of the lowest-grade variant of the Toyota Alphard sold by parallel importers.

Like most premium multi-seaters, the Maxus’ seat arrangement is 2+2+3. All three rows are reclinable and can slide forward and backwards to suit a particular situation. The best seats are in the second row. These “captain seats” come with massage functions, armrests and leg rests.

The third row can be folded, but does not collapse completely flat. The Mifa 9 is so big that even with all the seats occupied, there is sufficient stowage for a foldable bicycle, wheelchair or baby stroller. It will accommodate several pieces of luggage, as the vehicle’s extraordinary height allows these to be stacked. And if you need only six seats, more stowage space can be released.

Best seats in the house: The second row is equipped with massage function, armrests and leg rests.

Access to the third row is hassle-free, as there is a spacious aisle between the second-row seats. So, you do not have to fiddle with seat adjustments – you simply walk through.

The car has two sunroofs – a smaller one for the front occupants and a panoramic one for the second and third rows. Unlike the fixed glass roofs found in most modern cars, both of these can be opened.

For its size, the Mifa 9 is not overly unwieldy at the wheel. But you do have to pay particular attention to its dimensions, especially on smaller roads and tight carpark ramps, and when negotiating U-turns. Perhaps that is why it has a loud and intrusive alarm that goes off when you veer too close to lane markings. It is best to switch this off before the start of each journey.

Uncluttered: Touch controls and soft keys replace physical switches.

There is no start/stop button. The car is primed the moment you enter. Just step on the brake pedal and engage Drive.

The Mifa 9 weighs 2.4 tonnes, which is relatively light for an electric vehicle of its size. Its ride quality is very decent, with a suspension which has enough yield and yet is adequately controlled. In this respect, it is more car-like than many minivans.

Made by Chinese automotive giant SAIC, the people-mover is powered by a 180kW motor running on a 90kWh CATL lithium-ion battery. The test car averages 21.7kWh/100km, which is noticeably better than the EQV’s tested 29kWh/100km. Based on this, it should have a range of just over 400km.

Space wagon: Even with all the seats occupied, there is ample stowage.

But like many Chinese products, the car is still a diamond in the rough. The cruise control switches are not intuitive at all, while the air-conditioning takes forever to work on a hot day. There are no switches on the dash to control the motorised rear doors. Doors can be locked and unlocked only from the driver’s side, and the motorised tailgate cannot be opened unless the driver-side door is unlocked. There is no wireless phone-charging, and phone pairing has to be done with cables.

These, however, are minor irritations which do not diminish the overall appeal of the car. I, for one, certainly would not mind being ferried to and from the airport in it.

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[Source article: straitstimes.com/life/motoring/car-review-maxus-for-maximum-comfort]