Maxus eDeliver 5: creating a buzz of its own?  

Maxus’ latest electric van plugs the mid-sized gap in their range, but does this recognizable silhouette have what it takes to halt the charge of its established competitors?

You might have spotted Maxus vans out in the wild before now — especially since the Chinese brand has partnered up with some well-known couriers in the UK — but due to some slightly generic design choices, you might not have even realised. 

This shouldn’t be the case for eDeliver 5 though; slotting into the middle of the Maxus market-disrupting van lineup, between the larger eDeliver 7 and the smaller eDeliver 3. Featuring smooth edged minimalist design, it may look like a retro-futuristic concept, but don’t be fooled, this pastel-coloured cargo carrier is set for release in August 2024. 

This distinctive and glamourous addition to any drop off zone, the two-toned exterior may feel a little familiar. And, on a totally unrelated note, the eDeliver 5 has similar proportions to the ever-popular VW ID. Buzz. A whisker longer and narrower than the Buzz, the eDeliver 5 clocks in at a relatively compact 4.8 metres long and 1.87 metres wide. 

The mid-sized Maxus is available in L1H1 format, with a 1.96 m roof height to duck under any garage or multi-story carpark ceilings, or L1H2, for a boosted 2.18 m height and a little more room in the back. Squeezing in an impressive storage capacity of 6.6m³ and 7.6m³ respectively, as well as a payload of 1,200 kg, a bit of battery positioning magic seems to have been applied to avoid the high floor which limits the Buzz Cargo to only 3.9m³. With sliding doors on either side in addition to twin rear doors, this area is easily accessible for pick-ups and drop-offs.

Echoing the evocative exterior, the cabin is also quite stylised for a commercial van. It flaunts a long, smooth dashboard surrounded by sleeky integrated storage compartments, punctuated by a hefty 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Facing this setup can be either two or three heated front seats, using the space created by the lack of gearstick.

A far from utilitarian standard equipment list includes adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and speed limit sign identification software. There are also proximity sensors and 360-degree cameras, ideal for navigating tight spaces in urban environments. 

As you probably could’ve guessed by the ubiquitous ‘e’ at the start of its name, the Maxus eDeliver 5 is an electric-only offering. Using a 65 kwh battery to push 161hp out of its electric motor, it can achieve a range of up to 208 miles. This falls quite a bit short of the commercial Buzz’s 256-mile range, however when compared to the best-selling electric Vivaro’s 217 miles, it paints a slightly more positive picture.

Now, you may suspect that this design and tech, partnered up with robust delivery capabilities, will have you reaching deep into your pockets to get hold of one. Well, it’s all relative, but priced from £34,000 the eDeliver 5 handily undercuts its aforementioned competitors: £3,805 cheaper than the electric Vivaro, and £4,125 cheaper than the ID. Buzz Cargo.

The Maxus eDeliver 5 certainly seems like a workhorse hiding beneath a polished paintjob, but is the price difference enough to convince you to convert for the 9-to-5? 

Hero image credit: Maxus Northside