Launched: Maxus Mifa 9 EV MPV – 2 Variants, Up to 435 KM Range, From RM269,888

Meet Malaysia's first luxury EV MPV to go on sale, the Maxus Mifa 9!

The local electric vehicle (EV) marketspace grew a little this week with the arrival of the first luxury EV MPV offering to enter this space. Launched by Westar Maxus was the Maxus Mifa 9 and, from what we can garner, there’s indeed plenty to look forward to, even in the eyes of the ‘traditional’ MPV buyer.

Arriving as a fully imported (CBU) offering, the Maxus Mifa 9 enters the local market with two variants on hand – a base Luxury and an up-specced Premium. Both are offered in six exterior paintjob options, and share plenty common hardware and features, albeit with slight differences.

In terms of size, the Maxus Mifa 9 sits slightly longer and wider, but slightly shorter, over the comparable Toyota Vellfire and Alphard.

Boosting both passenger comforts and convenience is the presence of both dual powered sliding doors and a powered tailgate.

In terms of size, the Maxus Mifa 9 is indeed very close to the recently launched Toyota Vellfire and Alphard. In fact, at 5,270 MM long with a 3,200 MM wheelbase, 2,000 MM wide, ad 1,840 MM tall, this Chinese-built all-electric rival sits slightly longer and wider, but also slightly shorter, over said Japanese staple.

This, in turn, allows the Maxus Mifa 9 to house seating for 7 in its cabin through a 2-2-3 arrangement. Notably, the second-row sports plush ‘Captain Seat’ primed with heating and ventilation, massage, and ‘Ottoman’ functions. Further convenience stems from dual powered sliding doors and a powered tailgate.

Both the Luxury and Premium variants harness the same e-motor rated 241 HP and 350 NM powering the front wheels, and it sees 0-100 KM/H sprints in 9.2 secs.

As for range and charging, the claimed WLTP figures read at 430 KM (Premium) and 435 KM (Luxury), whilst the shared 90 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery accepts both AC and DC charging inputs, the latter up to 120 kW.

Over on to the powertrain, both the Luxury and Premium share the same single electric motor rated at 241 HP (180 kW) and 350 NM to drive the front wheels, promising 0-100 KM/H in 9.2 seconds. Juicing this motor is a respectably-sized 90 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the floor.

AC charging at a rate of 11 kW sees 5-100% recharges attained over an 8.5-hour span, though this can be quicken via DC rapid charging at a rate of 120 kW that sees 30-80% recharges in just 30 minutes. As for range, the claimed maximum WLTP figures read at 435 KM (Luxury) and 430 KM (Premium).

Shared across both variants are second-row 'Captain Seats' with heating, ventilation, massage, and 'Ottoman' function. Pictured is the Premium variant that boasts both leather upholstery and foldable tables here.

Besides leather uphostery, the Premium variant also adds front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and driver memory function, along with digital rear-view mirror, and 12-speaker JBL audio setup.

The slight difference in range stems from the differing kerb weights– 2,410 KG (Luxury) and 2,535 KG (Premium) – resulting for the varying equipment levels present. Despite so, both variants share plenty of common features besides plush second-row seats plus powered sliding doors and tailgate mentioned.

Key amongst which include all-LED lighting forward and aft (DRLs and foglamps too), heated side mirrors, powered dual sunroofs (front and rear), 19-inch alloy wheels (albeit with differing designs), keyless entry and ignition, as well as automatic climate control with rear vents and air cleaner.

On board, the Maxus Mifa 9 seats up to 7 occupants across a 2-2-3 seating arrangement.

Shared too are other notable features such as an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, 64-colour cabin ambient lighting system, 7-inch digital instrument display, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wires charging pad, and privacy glass.

Setting both apart are the knitted fabric (Luxury) and leather (Premium) upholsteries, 8- (Luxury) and 12-speaker (Premium) JBL audio setups, along with the Premium variant’s added second row foldable tables and individual touch control panels, fronts seats with heating, ventilation, and massage plus driver memory functions, as well as a digital rear-view mirror.

Besides airbags plus ABS with BA and ESP, both variants are equipped with an array of active driver assist (ADAS) features too. Other basics primed too include 360-degree parking camera, and a tyre pressure monitor.

As for safety, both the Luxury and Premium variants share the same array of kit here. Encompassing the basics are front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with BA and ESP, 360-degree parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a tyre pressure monitor.

Shared too are an array of active driver assist (ADAS) features that includes adaptive cruise control, , front and rear autonomous emergency braking, lane change assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver monitoring, rear collision warning, and emergency lane keep assist, amongst many.

Now open for orders with Westar Maxus, the MIfa 9 is tagged at RM269,888 (Luxury) and RM289,888 (Premium).

Open for orders now, brand custodians Westar Maxus have tagged the Maxus Mifa 9 Luxury at RM269,888, whilst it’s top-specced Premium variant commands RM289,888 instead. Both prices include a 5-year, 100,000 KM warranty and separate 8-year, 200,000 KM EV battery warranty.

Lastly, Westar Maxus is also offering the first 100 customers who book the Maxus Mifa 9 with a complimentary 22 kW AC home charger. What do you folks reckon then? Could this luxury EV MPV sway you into its favour over the staple Toyotas mentioned? Hit the comments below with your take…