Maxus V70, a new rival for the Ford Transit Custom?

The new diesel minivan from China is available in a nine-seat configuration. Maxus, a brand owned by SAIC, has just unveiled a new minivan called V70 that will go on sale in China in early 2023. The diesel model is built on a new platform and is similar in size to the Ford Transit Custom, the Volkswagen Transporter and the Citroën Spacetourer.

The Maxus V70 looks much more modern than Maxus’s other offerings. Even so, it is not as futuristic as the Hyundai Staria, or as modern as its stablemate, the all-electric Maxus Mifa minivan. The brand’s signature styling cue is the front bumper intake grille, which takes the place of a traditional grille. In terms of lighting, the minivan has Matrix LED headlights, additional units in the lower part of the bumper, and vertically mounted rear lights that connect via an LED strip across the rear windscreen.

The new rival to the Ford Transit Custom?

The model measures 4,998 mm in length, 2,030 mm in width and 2,035 mm in height, with a 3-metre wheelbase. This makes it slightly longer than the previous-generation Ford Transit Custom, but shorter than the Hyundai Staria. Chinese media report that the Maxus V70 will be available in different roof heights and wheelbases. Personalisation options include the two-tone treatment shown in the image, with a white upper body and large Maxus V70 lettering on the side.

In line with its rivals, the Maxus V70 has a sliding door for rear passengers and a two-piece tailgate. Despite the small-diameter wheels, ground clearance appears generous, so Maxus has equipped the V70 with side steps. Inside, there is room for five, six or nine passengers, depending on the configuration. Maxus has not published photos of the dashboard, but the minivan can be fitted with a tablet-style infotainment touchscreen, a Bluetooth key, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The Maxus V70 is based on the new SAIC platform which is expected to underpin several light commercial vehicles in the near future. It comes with a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 126 CV, paired exclusively with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, allowing a top speed of 156 km/h.