MAXUS eDeliver 7 Panel Van (2024 - ) Electric review

The Maxus eDeliver 7 looks like a standard medium van offering when it comes to cargo and practicality with two lengths and two heights to choose from. However, only three combinations of those lengths and heights are available - a shortest length and lowest roof height L1H1 model, a longest length and lowest roof height L2H1 model, and a longest length and highest roof height L2H2 model. The maximum payload in the range tops out at up to 1135kg payload, which is very convincing for a medium electric van. Twin rear doors allow good access from the back with plenty of width for a Europallet or two (opening to the standard 90 and 180 degrees), and the passenger-side sliding door allows access with decent elbow room. Tie-down points line each side of the loadspace, which in this loan vehicle was ply-lined on the side walls and door panels, and the floor lined with a durable black rubber mat. But it’s very high off the ground and requires a bit of a hop up, which was an odd feeling - why is it so high off the ground? An interesting standard feature is the steel bulkhead’s single window (not something I ever really note as worthwhile), but being able to check your load without accessing the loadspace is a nice-to-have. Really, there’s little to wish list here beyond a second side sliding door and less of a jump up into the loadspace.

The eDeliver 7’s single trim level across all body sizes keeps things simple in the cabin, and it will look familiar to anyone who has driven an eDeliver 9 - think black plastic and durable grey fabrics. A driver seat and bench seat as standard means three passengers is your top limit in whatever size you choose. The driving position is cramped and a little too upright for my taste - taller drivers will struggle as the rake on the seat is short compared to other vans, meaning the footwell feels small and I never felt like my left foot had anywhere to go so I tucked it under the seat. Storage is minimal with no dash storage, small door pockets, no overhead storage… but it does have a cup holder for each passenger, so that’s something. The infotainment screen’s operating system is fine, but the controls are fiddly and options are often buried in menus that would be hard to negotiate while driving. Most people will just hook up their phones and use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, so this is mitigated, but I do feel that some manufacturers are getting a bit lazy with their infotainment systems simply because they know people will just hook up a phone. Overall, there’s quibbles here, but at least it looks modern and is easy to keep clean.

This being an electric van, the eDeliver 7 offers two battery sizes - 77kWh and 88.55kWh - with the larger one needing more charge and therefore costing slightly more to fill. Electric vans are often cheaper to run than fuel equivalents, and this vehicle’s top range of 224 miles is strong in the sector - broadly comparable to the new Stellantis electric small vans in terms of driving distance. I found the range stayed on track with the miles I covered while driving, which is a good indication that you shouldn’t find yourself having to charge unexpectedly and therefore spending out more than you might predict.

Being a new electric van, there’s not a lot to go on when it comes to reliability beyond Maxus vans being seen as generally reliable by those who currently use them (either by choice or through fleet provision). Typically, electric vehicles require less maintenance than diesel equivalents due to the simplicity of the moving parts within them. Without a doubt, the excellent five-year warranty and roadside recovery package that Maxus provides with each vehicle is the indication of the manufacturer’s belief in its vehicles, which always gives me a confidence boost.

Eco, Normal and Power settings allow good control of the vehicle while driving, and I found the Eco mode (which limits acceleration and the top speed to 55mph) was a nice way to drive the vehicle gently and economically. Regen braking is very light and I wasn’t always aware if it was working, but my range never felt like it was dropping too much. A dummy load of 300kg in the back dropped the range slightly, but only by about 10 miles initially. Overall, it performed fine on the road.

Mark my words: this van prefers to be loaded, and my dummy load of 300kg stiffened up the suspension slightly to make the ride firm and precise. It went where I pointed it and the electric motor’s acceleration allowed me to get off at junctions and traffic lights. You can’t really ask for much more from an electric medium van. It drives fine while empty, but I noticed the ride improved significantly under load.

The eDeliver 7 is packed with safety equipment, and a single trim level means you get it all as standard with few options hidden behind paywalls. Front, side and curtain airbags for all passengers is a great feature that gives you a taste of the safety standard this vehicle could achieve when NCAP gives it the full treatment. The standard safety kit includes blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, door opening warning, front collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, emergency lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, speed limit sign recognition and driver fatigue monitor. The centre screen also provides a 360-degree camera with reverse camera, parking sensors at the front and back and a composite all-round image of the vehicle. There’s also an emergency service call button in the front to press if you are in an accident… but it’s down by your knee instead of by your head (where most other van’s buttons are located). The vehicle also has a habit of beeping (very loudly) whenever you encounter a hazard or accidentally go over the speed limit by a single mph… it’s helpful, but incredibly distracting.

The Maxus eDeliver 7 excels in the equipment it offers on its one and only trim level. This means the equipment level is high as standard across the range. It offers automatic LED headlights, front and rear fog lights, powered and heated door mirrors, heated quick defrosting windscreen, keyless entry and start, heated leather steering wheel, heated driver and passenger seat, two-seater passenger bench (with the option to have just one passenger seat if preferred), automatic rain-sensing wipers, manual air conditioning (although automatic would be nice in this day and age), 12V power outlet, USB sockets, three-inch colour touch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, a 6m charging cable, and trailer hitch connections. The only other option offered is a powered side step that sits under the side sliding door and helps when stepping up into the loadspace - again, a nice-to-have.

This is the crux of the eDeliver 7’s dilemma - why buy this over more established van brands in the market right now? I go back to my verdict at the top of the review - it looks good, it’s stylish, it offers a near 230-mile max range and a one-tonne payload capacity. It’s got a five-year warranty, packed standard equipment list and a single trim level. But it has a high load space that requires the option of a powered step to make accessing it more easy, a middling infotainment system and a cramped driving position. And then there’s this… it’s up against the Ford E-Transit Custom, Vauxhall Vivaro Electric and other better-known brands. I hope it does well, it offers a lot and executes the whole package of equipment, safety and practicality well. Take a look and see if it can convince you - it’s given me food for thought, for sure.