Maxus T90 EV electric pickup review (2023)
The Maxus T90 EV is the UK's first electric pickup - is it good enough to take the leap into a new way of life with a truck?
PROS
- The only electric pickup truck you can buy
- Full 1,000kg payload
- Decent electric range
- Simple model line up
- Ride pretty good for a pickup
CONS
- Expensive purchase price
- A few oddities around the cabin
- Poor driving position
- Only rear-wheel drive to start with
- Towing capacity not as high as diesel
Summary
The Maxus T90 EV is a ground breaker – it is the first fully electric pickup truck that you can buy in the UK.
Although you can get a few battery-powered pickup trucks elsewhere in the world, none of them have come to this country until now. Maxus has been selling electric versions of the small eDeliver 3 and the large eDeliver 9 so it has some form with EVs, but this is the first time it has chosen to import the Chinese-made T90 EV.
It was first shown at the 2022 CV Show at the NEC in Birmingham, and concern was raised about the fact that it only offered a 740kg payload. However, this has been rectified and the UK-bound model will offer a full 1,000kg carrying capacity.
Not only does this make it more practical, it also makes it eligible for the commercial vehicle-related tax systems that should make it more affordable to run.
What versions are there of the Maxus T90 EV?
There is only the one Maxus T90 EV offered – only one size and only one trim. This trim is nominally called Elite, which is the lowest trim in the MIFA 9 passenger car, but there is nothing else in the pickup’s range that sits above or below it. There is very little in terms of options, either – metallic paint and heated seats are the only two notable ones, although you will be able to add on accessories such as hard tops for the loading bay.
What engine does the Maxus T90EV come with?
The battery and motor combination in the Maxus T90 EV is a familiar one, as it is a 150kW (201hp) motor powered by an 88.5kWh battery. This is a pairing that is offered in the larger eDeliver 9, which suggests it should be up to the task of coping with the lower and more aerodynamic T90 EV.
What are the Maxus T90 EV’s rivals?
We are always hesitant to say that a vehicle doesn’t have any rivals, but in the case of the T90 EV there is a strong argument for that being true. As mentioned above it is the only electric pickup truck you can buy in the UK so it doesn’t have any direct equivalents for certain.
The other options you might consider include a chassis cab – the Fiat E-Ducato and Ford E-Transit both offer this on their electric versions – with a tipper conversion on the back. This could offer a higher payload, but it does bring potential complications with getting the conversion done. It could also work out more expensive as you have to pay for the base vehicle and then the conversion.
Another alternative is to look at the best pickups, such as the Toyota Hilux or the forthcoming VW Amarok and Ford Ranger, but these are all diesel.
Is the Maxus T90 EV any good?
By stealing a march on the rest of the market and getting an electric pickup on sale before anyone else, Maxus has a distinct advantage. Being the only choice available means that buyers might well be willing to overlook some of the rougher edges and more curious elements of the T90 EV.
Sure, you might want a more luxurious cabin for the amount that you are spending, and the infotainment is lacking, and the lack of 4WD will be a dealbreaker for some at this stage, but there are some users for whom this is perfect right now. If you work in a situation where your mileage is short but a van won’t cut it, then the T90 EV is quite literally your only option.
That said, it is not so compromised that you have to put up with anything that is too quirky and it is a solid and decent truck in many other ways.
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- Simple to drive
- Three driving modes
- Not loads of electric trickery
The Maxus T90 EV is quite simple to drive, certainly in terms of turning it on and getting going. There’s one oddity right from the start, though, as it is started by an old-fashioned key that you turn in an ignition slot. Given that electric vehicles, including the Maxus eDeliver 9, normally use a keyless start system with a button this feels a little unusual.
Then it is case of turning the rotary dial that acts as a drive selector, with only reverse, drive and neutral to choose from.
What is the Maxus T90 EV like to drive?
There isn’t the immediate surge of power that you get in some electric cars, which is for the best given that many of these will be working vehicles with loads in the back – shooting off the line might well leave the contents of the loading bay in a pile on the floor.
There are three driving modes to choose from. The system defaults to Normal when you start off, and the modes are then cycled through by pressing two buttons, labelled Eco and Power. You select each mode by pressing them once, and then return to Normal by pressing them again. It’s not the common method of pressing one button to cycle through, but it is fairly self-explanatory.
If you are hoping for a huge surge of power when you enable Power mode then sadly you might be a bit disappointed. There is a noticeable difference between the three modes, with Power slightly better suited for a mid-range overtake, but it is hardly a step change.
Pickup trucks are never the greatest when it comes to ride quality, particularly with an empty load bay, but the T90 EV acquits itself pretty well in this area. Our experience with it has so far been limited to rural and suburban roads, but over the sort of winter potholes that play havoc with a vehicle’s ride quality.
You will certainly feel the rougher bumps through into the cabin, as is almost always the case the case with a pickup truck due to the tough suspension required to carry a large load in the back. However, it is less harsh than some rivals and the weight distribution of the batteries helps it feel settled over the sort of general on-road terrain.
Two-wheel-drive only
The road is where the T90 EV will spend most of its time, for now at least. The first versions will all only be rear-wheel drive, although Maxus says that a 4WD version will be following later.
Despite this, it still gets a little nod towards off-roading, with a hill-descent control button. That’s about it, though, with nothing else geared towards heading into tougher terrain. It’s very nature – high-riding, big wheels, tough body – means it will be better suited than your average van when it comes to off roading, but on standard road tyres it will still struggle in low-traction scenarios.
The bonus of being 2WD only is that this puts less strain on the battery, which should result in a marginally longer range.
- Set up for foreign markets
- Poor infotainment system
- No space for your left foot
It’s clear from the cabin in the Maxus T90 EV that the notable purchase price is because of the electric powertrain and tech and not because you are getting a modern and luxurious experience inside.
It’s more of a hardworking environment than a cossetting one, with only a couple of soft-touch materials dotted around. Thankfully these are in the sort of places that you will need them – at the point your elbow will meet the doors and down on the side of the central console to make things a little softer for your knees. Otherwise, it is all hardwearing and solid plastics. Welcome for those wanting to put the T90 EV to work, less so for those wanting a lifestyle truck.
Screen functional but with little finesse
The standard equipment offering on the Maxus T90 EV means that every version comes with a touch-controlled infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. It comes with some welcome features – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for example – but it has more than its share of quirks.
To start with, it is aligned directly parallel with the front of the vehicle, rather than being slightly angled towards the driver. This didn’t prove too problematic in the low-light situations we drove in, but it feels less optimal ergonomically.
Thankfully the heating is controlled through some shortcuts below the screen, although they require you to take your gloves off to do so. Frustratingly, many of the other systems are controlled through the screen and it is a fiddly and slow setup. The phone mirroring ability helps elevate it though.
Overall, it is a cabin that offers more in the way of features than the basic versions of its rival trucks, but lags behind almost everything at the top of their respective rivals. The screen, materials and general feeling of luxury is not great given this is a £50,000 truck.
Footwell space
There is a decent amount of adjustment in the seat that will allow drivers to get comfortable when setting up, but there is no space to the left of the brake pedal, meaning your leg has to stay bent to keep your foot out of the way.
On the move the electric motor is much quieter than the diesel engine in many trucks, but the bluff front end and commercial-vehicle attitude to insulation means there is still a fair amount of wind and road noise – it doesn’t waft along in silence at 60mph but it is quiet and smooth at town speeds.
The final frustration is one that most owners will get over fairly rapidly – the windscreen wipers and indicators are on the opposite stalks to almost every other vehicle on sale in the UK today. Those approaching a turn will find themselves wiping the screen inadvertently until they reprogramme their learned behaviour.
- Expensive for a pickup
- Less pricey compared to EVs
- Well equipped and few options
There is only version of the Maxus T90 EV, and it comes with a decent level of equipment as standard. However, it also comes with a hefty price tag, too. At launch it comes in at just over £50,000 (not including VAT) once you have factored in delivery charges. The ability to apply for the commercial vehicle plug-in grant will help this slightly though.
Maxus is helping with the initial investment needed to get going on life with an electric vehicle, though. It is running a scrappage scheme that will get you a £1,000 discount on the purchase price and throw in a free charging point at home or at work. Obviously you have to have an old vehicle to trade in to get this, though.
Maxus T90 EV electric range and charging
The official range of the Maxus T90 EV is 205 miles, assuming varied use. Our limited exposure to the truck suggests that it should be fairly accurate in terms of its predictions, certainly going by the remaining range that it showed. However, we were testing in cold conditions and with some higher speed driving so the full 205 miles was never going to be achievable. We were seeing more around the 170 mark.
Curiously, the remaining range display doesn’t change when you switch between the different modes – usually an EV will lower your predicted range if you switch into power and boost it in Eco but the T90 EV doesn’t. It also came out with some more erratic readings, showing it had much more remaining when it was first turned on, but this settled after a couple of miles.
Fast charging is possible, at speeds of up to 80kW courtesy of a CCS DC charger, meaning you can get from 20-80% in about 45 minutes. It also offers a Type 2 11kW charger.
Maxus T90 EV warranty
The Maxus warranty is the same for all models, with five years cover but only for 60,000 miles. Other pickup truck warranties are longer – like the Toyota Hilux – but not many as plenty only offer three years of cover.
Maxus T90 EV standard equipment
There is only one trim in the T90 EV range, nominally named Elite. There are only a couple of options, too – metallic paint and heated seats. Dealers will offer you a set of accessories, though, which are largely features for the loading area.
Standard kit includes
- Multi-functional steering wheel
- Artificial leather upholstery
- Powered front seats
- 25-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Bluetooth
- Manual air conditioning
- 220V and 12V power sockets
- Halogen headlights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
The accessories list includes the following:
- Stainless steel sports bar
- Tow bar and electrics
- All-terrain Tyres
- Front bumper winch pack
- Mountain top / Roller top
- Hard top box with rear tailgate washwipe
Maxus is a bit of an unknown in the UK still, with the range too new to provide much in the way of data on recalls or reliability. So far the latest models have no been subject to any recalls.
- Decent level of safety kit
- All included as standard
The single trim level approach pays dividends when it comes to safety, with everything included as standard. You get front, side and curtain airbags for both sides, Isofix points in the rear and emergency brake assist all included. There is also a hill descent control system to help off road too.
Which MAXUS T90EV is best for me?
With just the one model, it is just a case of deciding whether the T90 EV works for you. The electric range is strong and reliable enough for those that want to take the step into the world of EV pickups, and the interior quirks are largely ones that can be overcome.
