If you think you've seen it all when it comes to Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), you haven't seen the Maxus G10. First unveiled at this year's Singapore Motor Show in January, the G10 is an MPV from leading Chinese automaker SAIC.

While the passenger car is the first for Maxus, the brand has been around in Singapore for a couple of years now - under authorised agent Cycle & Carriage - but in commercial vehicle version.


What's so special about the Maxus then?

Other than its rather catchy alphanumeric moniker, the sheer size of the Maxus G10 should be enough to catch your eye. At 5,168mm x 1,980mm x 1,928mm (L x W x H), it is bigger than the already enormous Toyota Alphard all round.

As if that's not enough, the wheelbase of 3,198mm in the G10 supersedes the Alphard's 3,000mm. This immediately translates to a cabin that's ridiculously roomy.

The aisle between all three rows of benches is wide enough to have the last row occupants roll their luggage out without any fuss. And that's even when the second row occupants are seating with the leg rests up.

Also fuss-free is the automatic sliding door system on both sides of the car that can be controlled via the centre console. Likewise for the tailgate, which can be opened with a kicking motion. But unlike other cars with a similar function, the hands-free operation of the tailgate is much easier to work with on the G10.

It seems China-made cars aren't that shabby after all

That said, the car isn't without faults. For starters, the massive size of the MPV means you'll have to take into consideration your parking location. With its height of over 1.9m, parking at most multi-storey carparks - especially older buildings - is impossible.

Also, the seats do not fold flat like how most MPVs will. Then again, that may not be necessary, since the G10 has 2,500 litres of boot space available with all seven occupants in place. As a matter of fact, you can fit six golf bags standing up.

Driving this massive machine could be a problem, no?

On the go, the massive Maxus G10 is easier to handle than you would expect. Despite climbing into a position that's more van-like, where you sit higher and face a steering wheel that's placed lower, the MPV doesn't feel anything like a commercial vehicle.