Maxus T90EV Review 2024

As the UK approaches the forthcoming ban on the sales of new petrol- and diesel-powered commercial vehicles, Maxus has stepped forward as the first to offer a fully electric pickup. This early arrival is a significant milestone, especially as other electric and hybrid pickups from Ford, Isuzu and Toyota have yet to be launched. Read our full Maxus T90EV review to find out how good it is. 

While the Msxus T90EV is breaking new ground it’s also a vehicle of compromises. Built on an existing combustion-engined pickup design, Maxus has swapped in an electric motor and battery pack, allowing it to carry a decent load but sacrificing features and capabilities. For those intrigued by the shift to electric pickups here’s a closer look at what the T90EV offers — and where it falls short.

With an 88.55kWh battery pack and a 201PS electric motor powering the rear wheels, the Maxus T90EV offers a unique driving experience that is initially brisk and smooth. It’s quiet thanks to the lack of a diesel power unit under the bonnet but there’s little opportunity to relax while driving it.

As with most pickups the ride quality isn’t the last word in comfort, yet the Maxus T90EV struggles to smooth-out any bumps. Ironically it’s at its best on the motorway where it’s reasonably compliant and the electric whine is masked by the usual road noise you’ll find in anything at 70mph. This is is where you’ll drain the battery most quickly.

On slower roads it crashes over potholes and surface changes while leaning around corners. It’s not bad by pickup standards but the latest Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok have moved customers' expectations along significantly.

Three driving modes — Eco, Normal and Power — allow drivers to tailor performance to their needs. In Eco mode power is capped to maximise range, while Power mode unleashes the full 201PS, trading driving range for responsiveness.

Though the Maxus T90EV’s 310Nm of torque feels adequate it’s less than most diesel pickups provide, making it feel somewhat pedestrian, especially once beyond urban speeds where its sheer bulk and chunky aerodynamically challenged styling start to count against it.

The conversion to electric power has required some compromises — for many they’re likely to be deal-breakers. Chief amongst them is that the rugged-looking Maxus T90EV pickup isn’t four-wheel drive — the rear-wheel-drive-only layout limits off-road ability, reducing traction on wet and uneven surfaces.

Thanks to the low-slung electric motor hanging off the rear axle, ground clearance measures just 187mm — that's just 1mm more than a Skoda Enyaq let alone being 123mm lower than a more comparable Ford Ranger. You’ll find your green lane options swiftly restricted in this Maxus. It’s fine for forest paths and very light off-roading but little else.

For drivers hoping to use the T90EV in challenging terrain Maxus says it has plans to release an all-wheel-drive version in the future, though it remains to be seen how that will impact payload capacity and price.

Officially, the Maxus T90EV boasts a WLTP Combined range of 205 miles which should be adequate for daily work. Real-world performance can vary considerably — in colder weather or when motorway driving which consumes more energy, the T90EV's range drops significantly.

During testing on a chilly day, with an empty truck bed, the range fell to around 115 miles — a substantial decrease from the optimistic lab-tested figure. Add some cargo in the back or attach a trailer and it will only get worse. While this is still sufficient for many daily needs those covering high miles might need to look elsewhere.

With DC rapid recharging at a maximum of just 80kW, it’ll take about 45 minutes to take the T90EV's battery from a 20-80% charge, equivalent to around 120 miles of the official range range . Plug into a standard home 7kW wallbox charger and it’ll take 13 hours from 5-100% capacity, meaning an overnight charge should be easy enough for most.

The Maxus T90EV’s cabin is best described as durable and straightforward, emphasising practicality over luxury. Hard-wearing plastics dominate the interior with only a few soft-touch surfaces and faux-leather upholstery on the seats.

A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but the interface is slower and less intuitive than what’s found in many competitors. Physical buttons for essential functions are a welcome presence but they’re touch-sensitive making them awkward to use while wearing gloves — an inconvenience for those working outdoors in cold weather.

Finding a comfortable driving position is relatively easy thanks to electric seat adjustments, though the steering wheel only adjusts for rake and not reach. Space within the cabin is ample with comfortable seating for both driver and passengers.

Not only does the lack of standard heated seats feel like a letdown given the T90EV’s £50,000 price tag, it's a surprising omission for an electric vehicle where efficient heating is essential.

Despite its limitations in other areas the Maxus T90EV holds its own when it comes to payload and practicality. The load bed measures 1485mm front to rear making it competitive with other mainstream pickups and can carry up to 1000kg of payload — sufficient to make reclaiming VAT for businesses easy.

While it handles on-board cargo well the Maxus's towing capacity is modest, limited to pulling a braked trailer weighing up to 1,000kg. This is a long way off the 3.5 tonnes many diesel-powered models can cope with.

The load area is functional and includes a painted bed liner, rope hooks and a stainless steel sports bar angled up towards the passenger cab that adds a touch of style. Maxus could improve convenience by adding a damper to the drop-down tailgate which falls open with a heavy thunk — doing so would also make closing it easier especially when working with gloves or in wet conditions.

As the first entrant in the electric pickup market, the Maxus T90EV is an admirable endeavour. Its robust payload capacity and simple interior are endearing to a degree. Its limitations — from the modest driving range, low towing capacity and the lack of all-wheel drive — mean it will suit very few commercial users.

The £50,000 price tag (plus VAT) places it at a premium against diesel-engined alternatives. How it compares against the future electric Isuzu D-Max and plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger remains to be seen.

For individuals and businesses that operate in short-range, low-intensity environments like city-based worksites or farm work, the Maxus T90EV could be an attractive option, especially if the company continues to offer aggressive leasing deals.

For the majority of buyers, waiting for more established competitors might be a better option. Maxus has set the height of the bar with the UK’s first electric pickup but it won’t take much for rivals to climb over it.