Maxus MIFA 7 (Cat A) Review: The Quietly Ambitious EV MPV Trying to Make a Splash

What we like:

Feels well put together and capable of taking a beating

Cabin quality is on par with luxury rivals, especially the 2nd row

What we dislike:

Car cameras need to be upgraded ASAP!

Audible motor whirl at low speed

The electric MPV space in Singapore isn’t exactly bustling with options. Buyers who want seven seats, full electric drive, and Cat-A COE eligibility can probably count their choices on one hand — and even then, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a suitable option to meet your needs.

The Maxus MIFA 7, however, arrives as a proper ground-up EV MPV, purpose-built for family hauling, and backed by the established distribution network of Cycle & Carriage (distributor of Mercedes-Benz). That last point is important — in a market still warming up to Chinese EV brands, having the C&C badge of aftersales support adds a lot of weight to its appeal.

I recently spent a few days driving the Cat A variant of the MIFA 7, and while it’s not without flaws, there’s a lot that could make it a quiet, sleeper hit among large (or growing) families here.

Performance — Not Built for Thrills, But Competent Where It Counts

Let’s address the obvious: the MIFA 7’s acceleration is leisurely. For an EV — a category known for instant torque and silent surges — this one feels decidedly laid back. On paper, the Cat A version produces around 145 bhp and 350 Nm of torque (same torque figure as the Cat B version, interestingly enough), but the delivery is muted, especially from a standstill.

Off the line, it feels like it’s dragging its feet, the sensation amplified by its substantial 2.2-tonne kerb weight. The motor’s whirring is also surprisingly audible at low speeds, reminiscent of early-generation EVs. It’s not necessarily unpleasant — in fact, it’s a sound that may appeal to EV nostalgists — but in a car this new, you expect more hush.

That said, once rolling, it builds speed respectably. On expressways, it has no trouble keeping up with traffic, and overtakes are handled without fuss. The front-wheel-drive layout means traction is stable in most conditions, though you do feel a hint of wheel spin if you try to punch it hard from low speeds on a wet surface.

Handling and Braking — Surprisingly Composed for an MPV

Now here’s the pleasant surprise: for something with the aerodynamic profile of a shoebox and the footprint of a small van, the MIFA 7 handles quite tidily. Body roll is there — of course it is — but it’s well-contained, and the chassis feels reassuringly planted through sweeping bends.

Braking performance is also respectable. The pedal feel is predictable, with regenerative braking tuned to be unobtrusive. You can’t quite one-pedal it like some EVs, but the balance between regen and mechanical braking is natural. For an MPV, that’s a big win — jerky braking is the enemy of passenger comfort.

You’re not going to take it on B-road blasts, but the fact that you could hustle it a bit without it feeling out of shape speaks to a solid engineering base.

Cabin Space and Comfort — The MIFA’s Real Party Trick

The interior is where the MIFA 7 starts stacking wins. This is a genuinely roomy MPV — 2,960 mm wheelbase with a completely flat floor means even the third row is adult-usable without compromise. The second-row captain’s chairs are plush, supportive, and slide and recline to suit your needs.

Up front, the driver and passenger get to enjoy the big-screen treatment. You have twin 12.3-inch displays — one for the driver’s instrument cluster and one for the infotainment — powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, ensuring slick, lag-free performance. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard, as is Android Auto.

The materials used are decent for the segment, and the design is contemporary without trying too hard. That said, the 360° camera is a glaring weak spot. For a vehicle this large, and this new, the resolution is almost comically poor — think old smartphone cameras from the late 2000s. It works, but you’ll be wishing for a proper update soon.

Everyday Usability — Thoughtful, If Not Perfect

Day to day, the MIFA 7 proves easy to live with. It’s comfortable without being soft, feels reassuringly solid on the move, and the large windows paired with the upright seating position give you excellent visibility. It comes across as a well-sorted, tactile vehicle — one that doesn’t demand much effort from its driver.

That said, there are quirks. In the cheaper “Luxury” Cat A trim, the driver assistance systems reset every time you restart the car, so if you don’t fancy constant lane-departure beeps, you’ll be diving into the menu each time you set off. The higher-spec “Premium” trim fixes this with a memory function, and for convenience alone, it’s the one worth considering.

Ownership Confidence — Backing Matters

Halfway through my test drive, I picked up a nail in one of the tyres. Normally, that’s a hassle — a call to a tyre shop, a wait, and a bill. But Cycle & Carriage, as the authorised distributor, runs its own in-house tyre service. They patched it quickly, efficiently, and without fuss.

This is exactly the kind of little ownership story that builds trust. Maxus may be a relative unknown here, but in China it’s a serious player under SAIC Motor, one of the country’s automotive giants. Pair that pedigree with C&C’s established local presence, and suddenly the brand’s long-term viability looks a lot more secure.

Market Position — A Category of One

Right now, the MIFA 7 sits in a segment with almost no direct EV competitors. Its nearest rivals in size and seating are petrol-powered — Toyota Noah, Toyota Voxy, and the like. Price-wise, it’s competitive with those, but with the added benefit of lower EV running costs.

In many ways, it’s a category-of-one proposition: if you want a full EV MPV that’s genuinely spacious, backed by a major dealer, and fits into Cat A, the MIFA 7 is your only real choice. That exclusivity, combined with its capability, gives it an edge.

Verdict — The Sensible Big Family EV

The Maxus MIFA 7 is not perfect. It’s slow off the line, its motor whir feels dated, and the 360° camera belongs in a museum. But it nails the fundamentals — space, comfort, practicality and a price point that makes sense.

More importantly, it’s a reminder that new names in our market can still offer real substance. With Cycle & Carriage behind it, the MIFA 7 isn’t just another “cheap Chinese EV” — it’s a well-supported, well-considered family vehicle that could easily become a common sight on our roads.

In short: it’s not a car for thrill-seekers, but it’s a car that delivers on the needs of the people who’ll actually buy it. And in a market with stiff competition from petrol incumbents, the MIFA 7 holds up remarkably well.

Photos by Ng Chin Hui and James Wong

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