Maxus maxes it out with the G10

The Maxus G10 is a multi-purpose vehicle that’s equipped to the hilt with features and amenities, making it a more-than-viable choice in its category and price range. ALL PHOTOS / ARDIE O. LOPEZ

Typically, a newcomer in a room would flash his best angle to make a good impression. Still a relatively unknown brand in the Philippine market, Maxus dispenses with that and goes right up to making all of their angles their best with the introduction of their exceptional G10 multi-purpose vehicle and, their very capable and flexible van, the V80.

It’s only been about three months ago when AC Motors, the automotive distribution and retail group of AC Industrials of the Ayala Group of companies, launched Maxus, a brand with roots that can be traced to the British automotive company Leyland Motors (est. 1907). It was the Leyland DAF Vans (LDV) Group that eventually gave birth to the Maxus brand in 2004, but in 2010, the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC, one of the top 3 auto manufacturing companies in China) acquired LDV’s assets, and along with it, Maxus. So having a storied brand history that spans over 123 years, it makes perfect sense that the Ayala group, which marks its 185th year of existence this 2019, chose to stand behind Maxus to provide a new generation of vehicles that would take on the heightened standards of the Filipinos- for rides that would serve their families and businesses well.

Their nameplate that we’ll put in focus here is the G10, Maxus’ multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that’s equipped to the hilt with features and amenities that make it a more than viable choice for its category and price range.

Comfort for every purpose

The Maxus G10 has a 9-seat capacity, and starting off with its third-row bench seat that fits three passengers with ample room, the best seats in the house are for the rest of the six. Four, count ’em, four captain seats are well-bolstered, clad in leather and fabric and each with foldable armrests, are slide adjustable for the best configuration in the spacious cabin. I naturally gravitated towards one of the captain seats at the 2nd row and started my test drive with a test ride instead, requesting to be chauffeured around at the height of Edsa rush hour traffic. Ingress is easy with wide-opening sliding doors found at either side of the G10. Now dialing-in for the best lounging position in the vehicle was a cinch. I gave myself generous legroom, reached out to adjust the separate rear AC controls, and set it to refrigerator crisper levels of chill, and reclined the backrest to an angle that made me a bit embarrassed to be seen by passengers in the cramped bus nearby. There was enough space for my gear at the middle aisle in between the seats. If there’s one feature of the G10 that I wish every van or MPV should have, it’s the honest-to-goodness 150-watt, 220-volt electrical outlet. Especially with the kind of traffic situation that we have, you gotta be prepared to maximize your time- and if you’re lugging a mobile office all the time like I do, that AC outlet is definitely a boon.

If there’s one feature of the G10 that every van or MPV should have, it’s the honest-to-goodness 150-watt, 220-volt electrical outlet.

The McPherson front suspension and five-link coil springs at the rear gave us a plush and comfortable ride in the G10, and it was smooth and felt well-dampened despite the imperfections on the road. I eventually decided to take on the wheel before I get too used to the pleasures of lounging out at the 2nd row. As I climbed onto the driver’s seat I was pleasantly surprised that it has 10-way electronic adjustments. The front passenger seat has 4-way adjustability, with electronic controls as well.

G10’s driver’s seat has 10-way electronic adjustments.

Fun from both ends of the ride

I thrust the gear stick of its 6-speed A/T to Drive, and went on to see how its 1.9L CRDi Turbo-Diesel engine with a rating of 150Ps and 350Nm of Torque would manage to drive us (a group of 5 passengers with me) around. Impressive was the way it provided smooth but assertive acceleration that gave its handling an effortless feel. It’s not easily quantifiable how a vehicle of this size and configuration can instantly make its driver at ease with its dimensions and dynamics- but the G10 made it feel like I’ve been driving it daily for a few weeks. There seems to be no discernible lag with its power, and its steering responsiveness adds to it being predictably agile on the road. I only got reminded that I wasn’t driving a sedan when one of my passengers kind of requested that I slow down. I chuckled apologetically.

At Php1.680M, the Maxus G10 seems to have covered all the bases to be a solid choice for an all-around MPV that provides its driver and passengers amenities that can be considered these days, as essential luxuries. That’s maxing it out indeed.