Maxus V80

Large dimensions allow for a spacious interior. Such is the case with the Maxus V80. People-hauling variants feature individually reclining rear seats. They enable passengers to get some shut-eye during long trips. Unfortunately, they also restrict the legroom of any passenger sitting from behind.

On the Comfort, the empty aisle on the 2nd and 3rd row make it easier for everyone to get to their seats. These spaces are occupied by additional seats on the Transport, so it’s much more difficult to navigate. The cargo-hauling Flex has no rear seats so you can maximize it to your liking.

Maxus V80 comes with bench-style front passenger seats. It has room for two people, albeit with their elbows rubbing. All seats are well-cushioned and covered in soft fabrics for comfort. Separate air conditioning systems on the front and rear ensure that everyone stays cool.

On a final note, the dashboard has this beautiful symmetrical design which places the gauge cluster, air vents, Bluetooth infotainment system, vehicle controls, and stick shift at the center.

Maxus V80 has a no-nonsense design. Save for some sculpted lines on the bonnet and side doors, nothing about it is remarkable. In fact, it looks like your average box-shaped van.

That being said, everything on the V80 is purposefully designed. It measures 4950mm long, 1998mm wide, and 2132mm tall so it’s quite huge. Thankfully, an electronic step board pops out from both sides of the Comfort so people can safely board the vehicle. Sliding side doors and dual swing-out rear doors make it easy to load and unload passengers and cargo.

Its massive windshield, short down-sloping hood, large side windows, halogen headlights, and electronically adjustable side mirrors provide the driver with better visibility. LED daytime running lights and side-mirror turn signals let other drivers know whether the car’s active, or if you’re about to switch lanes or make a turn.

Standard to the Maxus V80 are front wipers and rear foglamps. Comfort and Transport are fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, while the Flex receives the same sized wheels but with tougher steel rims.

Suspensions are great on the V80. It can handle most bumps and keep the ride quiet, stable, and comfortable. Steering is terrible, however. Even light turns can feel awkward.

Maxus V80 is mated to a 2.5L diesel engine with variable geometry turbocharging (VGT). With the help of six-speed manual transmissions, it delivers 134 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque to the rear wheels.

The engine is powerful enough to pull a full-capacity van. It’s also responsive and accelerates at a decent rate. Fuel economy is estimated at 13 kmpl which is impressive for its size. If you fill the 80-liter tank, you can travel 1,000km before it runs low on fuel.

Its brakes lack bite. So if you want to fully stop, you may have to press harder on the pedal. When driving at fast speeds, there isn’t much to worry about since it has automatic brakes and brake assist features.

Safety features include seatbelts, a rear parking sensor, and an immobilizer. Only the driver and front-row passenger is protected by airbags.

The Maxus V80 is either a people-hauler or a cargo transport; there’s no middle ground. It’s a good investment for business-minded individuals who can find ways to make use of its space.