Maxus MIFA 7 Luxury Review

This... feels more like it.

More than a year after we drove the Maxus MIFA 9, Maxus has now added to its lineup here a second MPV. Measuring in at 4,910mm long and 1,885mm wide, this Maxus MIFA 7 may sit below the MIFA 9 size-wise, but there's plenty of reasons why a family man might be better off with this new all-electric option.

At 4,910mm long and 1,885mm wide, this MIFA 7 is right sized to take on our island's many multi-storey car parks

Not too big or too small

To start, those exterior dimensions feel much better suited to our nation's roads and prevalent multi-storeys.

Some context here should be helpful: The MIFA 9's wheelbase, at 3,200mm, is a close match to the 3,215mm wheelbase of the BMW 7 Series (which has the added benefit of all-wheel steering). But the MIFA 7's wheelbase stretches out at a more sensible 2,960mm (less than a BMW 5 Series). This difference is enough to make the MIFA 7 palpably easier to navigate through narrow streets.

And it's not as if the MIFA 7 loses out when it comes to road presence despite its more sensible dimensions.

Up front, the MIFA 7 continues to sport the slim head light design of the MIFA 9, alongside its slab-sided body, both aiding to emphasise its sheer visual mass. At 1,756mm tall, you won't be towered over by large SUVs either.

Passengers get grab handles for easy access into the MIFA 7, and there's decent leg and knee room in the third row of the car

Not too hard or too soft

And all this mass means there's plenty of space for all seated within.

Portion out the available space by sliding the second row forwards a little and there should be enough knee and leg room for all here. Having said this, you'd do best to limit the cap the total number of occupants to six for longer journeys - the third row of the MIFA 7 won't offer enough shoulder room for three adults.

Still, the rest of the car is an ergonomic triumph.

The MIFA 7 sits at a height that ensures most will neither need to climb up into or fall down from its seats. Even so, there are grab handles and a generously-sized step for those who need the added assistance into the second row. And the seats here come with especially cushy bottoms to boot.

A 241bhp output ensures that keeping up with traffic in the MIFA 7 is always a breeze, and charging the car can be done at a maximum power of 120kW

Not too hot or too cold

Take the driver's seat and you won't be too disappointed either.

A 241bhp electric motor animates this MIFA 7 (the same unit found in the MIFA 9), giving the car sufficient pep so that keeping up with traffic is always a breeze. And the ride here is expectedly soft, although its damping does feel insufficient to arrest vertical movements should you show the car a particularly undulating road.

The MIFA 7 comes equipped with a host of active safety systems and there's plenty of options to set tailor the drive as you like as well

Just right for you?

At $232,999, the MIFA 7 stands out by coming in at a significantly lower asking price against the host of large MPVs we have seen arrive here all vying for market share from the likes of the Toyota Vellfire.

There are concessions to be made, of course, and these include the fact that this 'Luxury' specification of the MIFA 7 does not come with electrically adjusting second row seats, which also are not ventilated (you can have these with the 'Premium' specification, which comes in at just $5,000 extra).

But if you think your second-row passengers won't be too fussed with these omissions, the MIFA 7 will stand out as a price competitive option that still offers all the conventional benefits of an electric drivetrain including a quiet ride and that instantaneous torque that makes city driving a breeze - an excellent pair of strengths to add to its more sensible exterior dimensions.

In the market for an electric MPV? There's also these options to consider:

The Nissan Serena e-POWER offers space, equipment, and style aplenty

The Opel Combo-e Life delivers a quiet drive and generous space making it well suited for the family

There's also the DENZA D9, with its generous suite of equipment, to consider