2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

Source: C! Magazine

There has been no definitive assault on the best-selling Toyota Innova MPV for many years now. A few have tried but the Innova is just so formidable since it was literally designed from inception to serve our market. That is until the all-new Maxus G50 entered into the fray. Compared to the current Innova, a heavy-duty workhorse that we still actively employ in our C! Fastfleet in the top-spec V-trim (LED headlights, ambient interior lighting, 7 airbags, stability control, and 7-inch infotainment with navigation, with second-row captain seats) the G50 has a longer wheelbase (2800 mm vs 2750 mm), longer body (4825 mm vs 4735 mm), is slightly narrower (1825 mm vs 1830 mm), with a lower roof height (1778 mm vs 1795 mm).

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

The unibody Maxus G50 is front-wheel driven with a single available 1.5-liter direct injection intercooled turbo gasoline engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The robust body-on-ladder framed Toyota Innova is rear-wheel driven and powered by a 2.8-liter direct injection turbodiesel or 2.0-liter gasoline engine managed by a 6-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. The Maxus G50 uses fully-independent MacPherson struts in the front and a torsion-beam suspension setup in the rear supported by coil springs and dampers. The brakes are all disc. The Innova uses double wishbone suspension up front with coil springs and anti-roll bar and a four-link rear setup on the live-axle with coil springs and anti-roll bar. The Toyota has strong disc brakes up front but unfortunately uses leading-trailing drums at the rear. The Toyota Innova variants produce more horsepower and torque when the diesel engines are packaged with the automatics. The Maxus G50 is available in three variants priced from the entry level Pro at P1,088,000.00, P1,168,000.00 for the mid-range Elite, to P1,288,000.00 for the top-spec Premium. While the Toyota Innova is available in 15 variants with pricing ranging from P1,036,000.00 to P1,694,000.00. The Maxus is definitely more spacious and more full-featured overall compared to the Innova.

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

The gasoline engine of the Innova produces 136 bhp and 135 lb-ft of toque at best while the diesel at its best produces 171 bhp and a very healthy 265 lb-ft of torque. The G50’s engine is superior to the Toyota’s gasoline engine but the turbodiesel is a whole other matter. Then again as a consumer you would have to pay P32,000.00 more than the Premium G50 to get the Innova 2.8E A/T with the potent powerplant but you would also sacrifice not getting a very long list of standard and very usable equipment in the process. Now comparing the Maxus G50 to the Toyota Rush or Avanza is more of a debate of price and capacity. In both discussions, it is no contest, the Maxus is considerably larger and more full-featured for not much more money. It really depends on your needs and requirements. We tested both the Roland Purple colored Premium model as well as the Deep Golden colored Elite model of the Maxus G50. I preferred the more modest colors and mono-tone contrasts of the Elite model over the ambitious high contrasts in the Premium variant. Much is shared between both models which include the same 17-inch alloys wrapped with 215/55 R17 Giti GitiComfort 288 V1 tires.

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

For P120,000.00 more than the mid-range Elite model, the Premium model essentially gets a huge panoramic moonroof, a powered tailgate, two-tone leather seats, wireless smartphone charging, additional front side airbags, front seat backrest tables for the second row, awesome LED headlights, and a nicer looking engine bay. The 360° panoramic view, supporting sonar on both ends, 12.3-inch infotainment system, automatic front & rear climate control, 6 speakers, and cruise control are carried over. All the variants get driver and front passenger airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, keyless entry with push start ignition, electronic stability control, ABS with electronic brake assist, hill hold control, a tire pressure monitoring system, an engine immobilizer as well as essential ISOFIX mounts on two rows. The Pro model gets 16-inch alloys, an 8-inch infotainment screen with only 4-speakers, manual climate control, rear sonar only, a smaller standard rear parking camera, and cloth seats.

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

The engine and transmission are shared with other SAIC-manufactured vehicles like MG. If you plan to spend most if not all the time within the metropolis or in the city you live in, then the all-new Maxus G50, especially in the Premium trim, ticks all the boxes and will be a very fulfilling value-packed MPV for the family. The power is certainly sufficient for daily routine duty. The seating is generous for 6 adults with a healthy amount of seat adjustability to optimize comfort and rear trunk space. It can seat 8 people snuggly but I wouldn’t recommend it. The general ride comfort and handling are good but can definitely be better still with some factory tweaking.

Ultimately, the G50 is Maxus’ best representation of the brand and for the money, you would have to be a difficult person like myself to not be completely satisfied. With the very strong backing from AC Motors combined with the very healthy after-sales factory/dealership network, Philippine customers can rest well knowing that they will be taken care of properly.

Specification – 2020 Maxus G50 Premium
Engine: Inline-4, 1490 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection Intercooled Turbo, 7-Speed DCT
Max power: 166 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Max torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1700-4300 rpm
0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 10.5 sec.
Top Speed: 188 km/h (117 mph)
Fuel Mileage: 14.5 km/l Overall
Price as tested: PhP 1,288,000.00

C! RATING 9/10

+ Smart-looking, very strong value, airy, healthy list of usable technology, versatile.

- The transmission could be smoother; the suspension would benefit from recalibration to suite our driving environment.

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

Specification – 2020 Maxus G50 Elite
Engine: Inline-4, 1497 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection Intercooled Turbo, 7-Speed DCT
Max power: 166 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Max torque: 184 lb-ft @ 1700-4300 rpm
0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 10.5 sec.
Top Speed: 188 km/h (117 mph)
Fuel Mileage: 14.5 km/l Overall
Price as tested: PhP 1,168,000.00

C! RATING 8.5/10

+ Smart-looking, very strong value, airy, versatile.

- The transmission could be smoother, the suspension would benefit from recalibration to suite our driving environment, halogen headlights.

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite

2020 Maxus G50 Premium & Elite