Maxus MIFA 7 Luxury Review: A No-Frills People Mover
The smaller sibling to the MIFA 9 offers lots of space at a competitive price.
The MIFA 9 was one of the first (if not the first) full-sized electric MPVs to come to Singapore. Back then, we lauded it for its refinement and zippy drive, calling it a credible competitor to the Toyota Alphard.
The scene has gotten a lot more crowded since then, especially for the MIFA 9. Good thing then that the MIFA 7 has joined it in the range, as it is $32k cheaper than the MIFA 9 if you compare the ‘Luxury’ trim of both cars. The gulf is even wider for the pricier ‘Premium’ trim, at $47k.
No matter how you slice it, that’s a significant chunk of savings. At its price point, the MIFA 7 doesn’t have many competitors. It is in fact going head on with Japanese hybrid alternatives, like the Nissan Serena e-POWER and Toyota Noah Hybrid. Its electric drivetrain is its unique selling point.
In terms of space, the MIFA 7 isn’t a lot smaller than the MIFA 9 indeed. In fact, it’s still a proper 7-seater with enough luggage space for 3 large suitcases even with all seats occupied. There’s precious little to complain about for legroom or headroom for all seats.
The options list is also extensive, but ironically the lower ‘Luxury’ trim does miss out on some feel-good features like an electric front passenger seat, electric, ventilated and memory driver’s seat and nappa leather. You must opt for the ‘Premium’ trim for these.
Everything else, however, is standard on both trims, like a panoramic sunroof, 8-speaker JBL sound system, all safety systems and a 360-degree panoramic camera. The user interface of the MIFA 7 also feels somewhat dated, but it is functional enough. The car is well-equipped, but to really feel like a smaller sibling of the MIFA 9, it is a must to go for the ‘Luxury’ trim. Otherwise, it just feels a little budget inside, where hard plastics abound. The leather does not feel luxurious too. Against the competition, it is on-par or slightly below average.
The MIFA 7 feels sprightly on the road and reasonably comfortable. It is not the last word in refinement or sophistication, but instead gets the job done diligently and without fuss. Compared to similarly priced hybrids, the MIFA 7 definitely feels more eager with its instantaneous torque.
Overall, the MIFA 7 is a handsome, no-frills option in the 7-seater MPV class. It would attract interest from the bottom up, but perhaps not from the top down.
Photos by James Wong
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