Maxus G50 1.5T Premium

HOW DO YOU SPELL VALUE?

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEITH MARK DADOR

1.5 Turbocharged Gasolinee Engine

12-inch Infotainment System with 360O camera with front and rear parking sensors

Maxus Philippines launched their G50 Compact MPV last year and it’s set itself apart from other PV’s on the market. An MPV is purpose built to move about seven people from point A to B while costing slightly less than an SUV, but more comfortable than a van or AUV. These days there are almost as many MPV’s on the road as there are mid-sized SUV’s with just many different varieties and features.

EXTERIOR

With a profile more like a mini van than an MPV, it seats eight people. Up front, there’s an abundance of chrome, but still manages to look classy even for a people mover. Looking at the front, the small-ish grille continues down into a large air dam, making almost 3/4 of the front end a huge air intake. Two faux air scoops on the front bumper’s lower edges give it an aggressive look.

The DRL’s give it character and thus the G50 cannot be mistaken for another brand or model. Looking at it on the side, the tinted rear glass and blacked out the tinted rear glass and blacked out B, C and D pillars give you a floating roof look. Up top, you get roof rails and it rolls on 17” gun metal alloy wheels wrapped in GitiComfort 228 v1 215/55’s.

INTERIOR

Entry is keyless, made easy with a smartkey, it’s engine push start is convenient without the need of taking the keyfob out of your pocket. There are distinct black and red accents and stitching around the cabin with a recurring trapezoidal theme on the dashboard and instrument cluster. The leather wrapped steering wheel also has controls for the infotainment, cruise control and the MFID between the gauges in the instrument cluster.

Wireless charging pad Engine Push Start

Maxus took this MPV to the next level, giving it an upscale feel, and more luxurious appointments than it’s competitors. You get more than enough power for the city and adequate power for out of town trips. ❞

2nd Row Seats

There are three rows (2+3+3) of leather seats with a flat profile, but still quite comfortable. The second row seats get access to fold down tray tables mounted on the backs of the front row. You also get an amenity that’s not usually found on MPVs, a panoramic sunroof.

The entertainment system has a 12.3” Android touchscreen (which doubles as the screen for the 360/backup cam), it’s got USB and Bluetooth connectivity but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. There is however a wireless charging pad, handy if your smart phone supports this.

POWERPLANT

The G50 is powered by is a Euro 6 compliant, turbocharged 1.5 liter 4-cylinder, intercooled direct injection gas engine which puts out 169Ps at 5,500 rpm with 250Nm of torque between 1,700-4,300 rpm, mated to a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

SAFETY

All occupants get 3-point seatbelts, the 1.5T Premium has front-side airbags, but , driver and front passenger airbags are standard. There are front and rear parking sensors, a 360 degree cam, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and immobilizer. It’s equipped with ABS with EBD, Electronic Stabilization Program, and Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold and ISOFIX anchor points.

Rear 12v and 5v USB charging

2nd Row Tray Tables

3rd Row Seats

LED Headlights

Power Tailgate

And the more we drove it, the more it made sense. The G50 is good value, giving you more than you’d normally expect in that price range. ❞

WHAT DO WE THINK?

For a somewhat large vehicle, it’s not unwieldy, the G50 is easy to get a feel for. The 360 cam helps, make parking and negotiating around tight spaces more manageable. It’s suspension is set up for comfort, to smooth out the bumps and give occupants a comfortable ride, so expect some lean if you take corners at speed. The 7 speed DCT shifts smooth in general, but tends to be jerky in stop and go traffic, but we attribute this to the turbo kicking in at low rpm’s. But when you’re moving at a constant speed, it eagerly downshifts for easy overtakes, then shifting up, keeping the rpms down when you hit higher speeds.

Maxus took this MPV to the next level, giving it an upscale feel, and more luxurious appointments than it’s competitors. You get more than enough power for the city and adequate power for out of town trips. It can seat 8. So it gets you and 7 friends or family to where you need to go, in style.

We drove the 1.5T Premium in “Roland Purple”, priced at Php1,338,000 placing it near in the “top of the line” price range of smaller SUV’s and compact sedans of other brands. And the more we drove it, the more it made sense. The G50 is good value, giving you more than you’d normally expect in that price range. AUTOCAR PH TEAM

MAXUS G50 1.5T PREMIUM

Price PHP 1,338,000 Vehicle Type MPV Engine 1.5 liter 4-cylinder, Turbocharged and Intercooled Direct Injection Power 169ps at 5,500 rpm Torque 250Nm at 1,700rpm4,300rpm Steering Electronic Power Steering System Transmission 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission Wheelbase 2,800 mm Fuel Petrol Fuel Capacity 50 liters Emission Euro 6 Standard Seating Capacity 8-seater Length 4,825 mm Width 1,825 mm Height 1,778 mm 1,800 with Roof Rail Suspension McPherson independent / Torsion beam Brakes Front and Rear Disc Wheeels/Tires 215/55 R17 Alloy

Interior 12.3-inch Touch-screen, USB and Bluetooth Connectivity, Mobile Wireless Charging, 6 Speakers, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry with Push Start, Rear Aircon Vent, Multifunction Steering Wheel

Safety Driver and Front Passenger Airbags, Front Side Airbags, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, , 3-point Seatbelt for Front & Rear Seats, ISOFIX, ESP, EBA+HHC, Parking Sensors (Front and Rear), Reverse Camera (360 Panoramic View), Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Immobilizer

Website www.maxus.com.ph