Article by Yamin Vong
During our recent comparison test of 3 business-class MPVs that represent the pinnacle of Chinese EVs, it was very difficult to judge what were essentially incomparable: one was all about power and the fun of driving, one was a big all-rounder EV that was like a Japanese petrol-MPV, and one was a techno MPV. Then there was the 4th eMPV. This was a BYD M6 compact eMPV that wasn’t in the comparo but anyway stole the hearts of the judges for its nippiness.
These business-class eMPVs also incorporated a variety of technology and innovations. It is especially in this e-MPV category where China’s automotive industry has blurred the division between luxury, premium and main-stream: a RM300,000 Chinese-made e-MPV is packed with as much and even more technology than million-ringgit cars sold by legacy marques.
These e-MPVs incorporated leading edge innovations such as air-suspension, rear wheel steer, 800-volt architecture, and ADAS 2.5.
For the e-MPVs, the judges needed to incorporate EV parameters – including charging efficiency, battery size and range — to complement the 8 parameters for the Malaysia Car of the Year Awards.
Workstation mobility was one of the highlights of the e-MPV road-test. The judges rotated from driver to passenger seat to assess passenger comfort as well the practicality that an e-MPV can be a luxury mobile office.
Thanks to Ms Tee YC who had to clear 4 stories and really used the 3 e-MPVs as her mobile office while on the road as well as in the car-park.
All the big MPVs easily passed this test. We could work our phones and laptops in a cool air conditioned comfort while parked in the open at 1pm overlooking the placid blue lakes surrounding the Semenyih Seafood Village.
The large batteries and 600km+ range of the e-MPVs meant that we didn’t suffer any range anxiety and there was more than 20 per cent battery by the time we completed our 11am- 9pm test drive session from Petaling Jaya to Seremban with a lunch break (with airconditioning on the whole day except when we stopped for a meeting and dinner at Millenia Village.
If you try to use a traditional MPV as a mobile office while parked, your car will be enveloped in a bubble of heat and exhaust smoke. Your petrol engine will also suffer heat stress and a reduced lifespan.
And for those who employ a chauffeur, an e-MPV might be a good idea because the driver can rest in air-conditioned comfort while waiting for you and without polluting the environment of heat and exhaust smoke. A well-rested driver should be safer than a drowsy driver.
Technically, the e-MPVs can be defined as noted below. But statistics give only half the story; the other half comes from one’s own driving impression such as is the ADAS too obtrusive, is the regenerative braking comfortable in the context that researchers have confirmed that EV passenger dizziness is a real thing, and of course, if you’re going to drive the MPV occasionally, whether you like the drive:
Zeekr 009: The Performance Powerhouse. Focuses on blistering acceleration, planted handling with all-wheel drive from dual motors, premium luxury, and a unique, bold design. Best for those who want a “supercar MPV.”
Denza D9: The Pragmatic All-Rounder. Offers a a blend of luxury and practicality. It’s the safe, established choice from the world’s largest EV maker.
Xpeng X9: The Tech & Efficiency Leader. Features the most advanced charging tech, rear-wheel steering system combined with an intelligent air suspension, for improved maneuverability, and a futuristic, aerodynamic design.
BYD M6: a user-friendly compact e-MPV is value for money at RM100,000 and an urban run-around family vehicle for people with a home charger facility and who appreciate the unpretentiousness of the vehicle and appreciate the surprisingly large internal dimensions.