Maxus T90EV review

Being unique can be great – but what if you’re the only one doing something because it's a bad idea? A case in point might be the Maxus T90EV, a two-wheel-drive electric pick-up, and currently the only vehicle of its kind on sale in the UK.

The T90EV isn't actually a bad idea in theory. Indeed, for drivers who work in a city where diesel pick-up trucks attract emissions-zone fees, it could make a lot of financial sense.

After all, there are plenty of two-wheel-drive electric SUVs around, and the T90EV offers space for five people plus a decent payload of up to a tonne. There’s not much variety in the line-up, with just one trim level, one electric motor option and one battery size, which gives it an official range of up to 205 miles.

While you might not have heard of Maxus, the brand already makes a compelling range of electric vans including the Maxus eDeliver 7 and Maxus eDeliver 9.

Until more electric pick-ups are launched, buyers in the market for a Maxus T90EV will most likely be considering combustion-engined alternatives. They include the Ford Ranger, the Isuzu D-Max, the Toyota Hilux and the VW Amarok. Read on to find out how it compares...

The Maxus T90EV’s 88.5kWh battery hangs low underneath its body, and between that and the 201bhp electric motor, it’s not only congested down there, but also heavy.

In some vehicles that’s a good thing (a low centre of gravity can help with handling) but not here. The T90EV's steering is very light, meaning there’s no real bite at the front wheels, and this heavy pick-up can end up feeling a bit wayward through corners. Putting lots of stuff in the back makes it worse.

The low centre of gravity also comes at the cost of ground clearance. Combustion-engined pick-ups have a clearance of at least 220mm, but the T90 must make do with just 187mm – only 1mm more than a Skoda Enyaq – and that means you won’t be able to go as far off road as in rivals.

Not that you’d want to, because without the benefit of four-wheel drive, the T90EV isn’t anywhere near as capable off road as other pick-ups, and if you venture on to anything other than a gravel track, you could be asking for trouble. There are none of the off-road driving aids or electronic help you get on the Ford Ranger.

Drivers can choose between Eco, Normal and Power driving modes by using a button on the T90EV’s centre console. There are small changes to the accelerator pedal’s responses based on which mode you choose, but the level of regenerative braking is always set to a fairly aggressive level.

Speaking of range, the T90EV can officially travel up to 205 miles on a charge, according to official tests. That figure drops significantly in real-world use, with an ice-cold motorway run giving us just 130 miles from a full charge.

“The electric motor is simply and inelegantly bolted to the rear axle so I'm not surprised the T90EV’s ground clearance is low. Skipping 4x4 drive is short-sighted too.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Some modern pick-up trucks – notably the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok – closely match their SUV counterparts in terms of features and the quality of materials on show.

The Maxus T90EV adopts a far more utilitarian approach, and most surfaces are made from hard plastics. At least the seats are made from artificial leather, and are comfortable to sit in.

In the centre of the dashboard is a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen, through which almost every function is controlled. It’s also capable of mirroring your smartphone through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so you can use your messaging or sat-nav apps through the main screen.

There’s a USB charging point to keep your devices topped up. Alongside the infotainment screen there’s a smaller display within the instrument cluster showing the estimated remaining range and other information.

The T90EV lacks the creature comforts you get in the Ranger and Amarok. Those rivals also let you do more using controls on the steering wheel – from scrolling through trip data and changing infotainment settings to simply making a phone call.

The steering wheel just lets you manage radio and basic Bluetooth functions such as accepting or rejecting a call. There’s also no cruise control, which has become almost standard among pick-ups.

The interior is, though, a quiet and comfortable place to be. There are noises from the electric motor and a sound at low speeds to warn pedestrians of your presence, but they soon fade into the background. At higher speeds, you’ll notice modest amounts of tyre and wind noise. 

Visibility out is decent, and as in other pick-ups you get a commanding view of the road ahead. The standard rear-facing camera helps to avoid any embarrassing scrapes when parking.

“Utilitarian is a good description for the T90EV and it's a shame you have to pay extra for heated seats, although you do get smartphone connectivity and air conditioning.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Pick-up trucks need to have a payload capacity of more than 1,000kg to make them eligible for businesses to reclaim their VAT. Thankfully, the Maxus T90EV manages that. 

While you can haul plenty, we do think the rear tailgate could do with having a soft open and close mechanism. It can drop down with a clunk when you release its catch, and is heavy to put back into place.

If you plan on towing, you’ll be disappointed to know that the T90EV is rated to pull just 1,000kg. Bear in mind, though, that using all of that towing allowance will limit how much payload you can carry in the load bed. It’s also well below what a combustion engine model can pull: the standard is set at 3.5-tonnes for a braked trailer.

You won’t be daunted by the T90EV’s configuration options because there’s only one size of load bed to look at, and only double cab variants are available.

Inside, there’s a decent amount of storage space for your odds and ends, and two cupholders in the centre console to keep your coffee upright. The back seats are fairly upright but comfortable, and we think most passengers will have room to stretch out.

There are 12V and 220V sockets back there, so you can plug in equipment and have it powered from the vehicle's main battery.

"I think it's important for potential buyers to be aware of the T90EV's limited towing weight. Diesel rivals can manage a lot more." – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Being the first to do anything is always tricky, and although launching the T90EV puts Maxus ahead of rivals, a pick-up truck without a four-wheel-drive option isn’t going to be for everyone.

The T90EV supports fast charging at a rate of up to 80kW, which is not that fast but is enough to take the battery from 20% to 80% in around 45 minutes. A full charge from a single-phase household supply will take around 13 hours.

There’s no such thing as an options list for the T90EV – the only option you can add is heated seats.

The single trim level, Elite, gets you most kit you’re likely to need, including 17in alloy wheels and a stainless-steel sports bar. Dealers will be able to offer suitable load covers and other options that don’t come direct from the factory.

Still, the respectable amount of standard equipment doesn’t make the T90EV's price tag any more palatable. At £50,000 before VAT, it’s almost £18,000 more than a similarly specced – and much more usable – Ford Ranger. It’s also enough to cover the fuel bill for a diesel pick-up truck for 90,000 miles or so.

Maxus has offered some incredible leasing deals in the past, but that’s hitting resale values hard, making outright purchases look unappealing. If you really must go electric right now, this is your only option, but there’s an electric Isuzu D-Max coming soon, which we’d suggest you wait for.

“Maxus might have shot themselves in the foot with bargain lease deals but I think there’ll be some great second-hand opportunities.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

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