Yet Another Chinese SUV Approaching

Known for its commercial vehicles, Maxus expands its lineup with the eUNIQ6 SUV announced at under 40,000 euros.

Originally born in England under the name LDV, the company was bought by the Chinese SAIC after a brief period under Russian ownership. The name is still little known in Europe, but Maxus has become the utility vehicle branch of the Chinese giant. It is with this type of vehicle that the brand made its debut in Europe a few years ago. But in China, Maxus has long offered minivans and SUVs, as any respectable manufacturer would. Inevitably, once the local market is saturated, these models arrive in Europe.

The overall style is not unpleasant but does not turn heads. Inside, there is leather, LED lighting with 64 color options, and subtle Carbon accents. It’s not bad, but the overall impression is quite traditional, even outdated… and for good reason! The eUNIQ6 is actually the 100% electric version of a thermal SUV, the D60 launched on the Chinese market in 2019. Naturally, after 4 years, the aging is unavoidable.

Designing an electric vehicle based on a thermal platform often leads to disappointment in technical specifications. With a 130 kW (177 hp) motor, this beautiful beast weighing 1960 kg is not exactly a lightning bolt. Worse, with a 70 kWh battery, the Maxus boasts only a 354 km range in WLTP cycle, meaning no more than 300 km in standard usage. For a family-oriented vehicle, that’s quite limited—far too limited! Maxus refrains from releasing charging times, which makes sense given the onboard charger is only 6.6 kW. Sometimes, it’s better to stay silent when there’s nothing interesting to say.

The eUNIQ6 has generous dimensions, measuring 4735 mm in length and 1855 mm in width. Its 754-liter trunk will silence those who claim that Chinese cars have tiny trunks. Ultimately, that is the main advantage of this vehicle. Perhaps an inheritance from the brand’s utility experience. However, forget about the flat rear bench, as the thermal platform doesn’t allow it.

The price remains a concern. Maxus has opened pre-orders in Belgium starting at 40,000 euros. That’s more expensive than a Renault Scenic, a Tesla Model Y, a BYD Seal U,… in short, more costly than vastly superior cars. So we will pass on this one and wait for the brand’s new models expected in 2025.