2021 Maxus G50 Premium Review

When it comes to the MPV market in the Philippines, these are typically dominated by 7-seater vehicles that come with 1.5-liter gasoline engines which come at an affordable price. The newest addition to the Maxus Philippines lineup wants to change the game in the form of the Maxus G50 Premium. An 8-seater MPV that boasts a turbocharged gasoline engine, great space, and features that are normally found in higher-end vehicles. On top of that, the new MPV also comes at a competitive price point, making for even stiffer competition for the segment. With that said, on to the review as we see what the Maxus G50 has to offer.

On the outside, the Maxus G50 comes with almost minivan-like dimensions. At the front you get a remarkable front end, that is dominated by a massive grille with the Maxus name spelled out on the upper portion of it. Flanking either side of the grille are LED headlights along with daytime running lights which are unique to the premium variant. If there is one thing we noticed with Maxus Philippines is that its vehicles deliver well in the lighting department as the cut off is just right and the throw of the headlights are excellent. One feature that we found to be missing G50 was the lack of fog lamps, an odd omission but an understandable one given that there are only a few places in the Philippines that regularly get fog. Plus the LEDs are up to the task when weather conditions get tough. Back to the G50 and completing its look are L-shaped accents on the side with faux vents along with a chin that matches its overall imposing look. 

Moving over to the side and you get a few character lines, a chrome accent, and a blacked-out D-pillar to help give off a floating roof design. While the Maxus G50 may have minivan-like proportions, it does not have sliding doors as you might have expected. Even we were baffled as to why Maxus didn't go with the sliding door as it would fit the vehicle well. However, despite this, the rear passenger doors are easy to open while taking into account their size. While Maxus doesn’t state the G50’s ground clearance our estimates put it at around 150mm, which is pretty reasonable for a vehicle of its kind. Finishing off its side profile are turn signal repeaters on the side as well as roof rails on either side.

At the rear, the Maxus G50 carries over its generally boxy design. You get a large rear hatch that is accented by a metallic strip and the Maxus logo spelled out as well. A roof-mounted spoiler is also present on top of the vehicle’s power tailgate along with two angular LED tail lamps. We did notice something small, however, and it was with the rear wiper, not its size but its rather off-center position. If you’re wondering where the reverse lamps are, they are located on the lower part of the bumper next to its center-mounted reflector.

Enter the via the driver’s side door and the G50 greets you with a wide dashboard along with a combination digital and analog gauge cluster, plus a panoramic sunroof. The gauge cluster displays the tachometer and speedometer along with other important information. Moving on to the center console of the 8-seater MPV and you get a massive 12.3-inch infotainment system making it one of the bigger head units you can get on any vehicle in the market today. Right underneath it is rudimentary air conditioning controls, nothing too fancy here as it comes with knobs and a couple of buttons.

Moving on to the second row and the G50 stays true to its brand’s tagline of being maxed out. Space is plentiful in the second row as the seats can be moved forward or backward to further maximize the space. The seating material is comfortable but leans more towards the durable side. Maxus has also added a tray attached to the driver and front passenger seats, a touch of convenience to those passengers who like to eat. A separate set of air controls are also present in the second row, however, these just control the fan speed and not much else. 

The 3rd-row space is acceptable if you want to maximize the 3-seating capacity. If you want a little more wiggle room, however, we recommend seating just two people at the back. Amenities are also plentiful as just like in the second row as the rear seats also come with bottle holders and air vents as well. There is also a USB charging point available as available for those who need to charge their devices at the back. 

When it comes to comfort the Maxus G50 does well. Its suspension is on the soft side and thus absorbs road imperfections well. This is further helped by its durable yet comfortable leather seating material that also helps with cushioning bumps as well. NVH insulation is also pretty good, there are no noticeable judders from the engine, and the noise that it makes barely moves into the cabin unless you floor it. Road noise is also acceptable as it only starts to creep in at around 80kph. Body roll is present in the vehicle, however, it's understandable given its size and weight. Overall the G50 Premium gives off a pleasant ride that its occupants will surely appreciate and enjoy.

Being the 8-seater MPV that it is, the G50 comes with a decent amount of amenities inside.  It comes with a push to start button and a massive 12.3-inch infotainment system. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t present with the head unit the Bluetooth connectivity works just fine. The G50 Premium also comes with a 6-speaker sound system which does well, however, it lacks a bit when it comes to the midrange of sound. 

Other amenities available in the G50 are a plethora of USB charging ports for its occupants and a wireless charging pad for those who don't want wires cluttering up the center console. Cruise control is also present along with a multi-function steering wheel. This lets the driver control the infotainment system without the need to take their hand away from the steering wheel.

When it comes to safety features, the G50 Premium is also well equipped. It comes with driver and front passenger airbags, a front side airbag, seatbelts for all occupants, and ISOFIX tethers as well. Other safety features for the 8-seater MPV include an electronic stability program, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera with a 360-degree panoramic view, an engine immobilizer, and a tire pressure monitoring system. 

When it comes to power the Maxus G50 is certainly not lacking, as it comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine under the hood. It produces 167hp and 250 Nm of torque which sends power to the front wheels via a 7-speed DCT. The way the engine delivers power works in a smooth and linear fashion. You won’t be thrust back into your seat when the boost kicks in, instead it's a more gentle experience as you feel the vehicle begin to ride the wave of torque. While the engine is a good balance for the vehicle, the transmission is decent, it's a bit on the laggy side but performs well for daily use especially while crawling through traffic. 

Overall, the Maxus G50 is indeed a suitable MPV that can adapt to your needs. It does well in the city and on the highway. The engine is smooth and delivers power to you when you need it. I

When it comes to fuel economy the G50 does about average. During our real-world testing, we were able to get about 7-8 km/L in rush-hour city traffic. When the roads opened up with weekend traffic the MPV was able to produce 12 km/L, on-highway testing, however, the fuel economy went up slightly to about 15km/L. Overall these are pretty good numbers, especially considering its size, and the traffic conditions it had to face.

The MPV segment may be growing, but the Maxus G50 Premium is able to set itself apart by being a budget-friendly 8-seater vehicle that comes big on space and even better in price. It delivers good comfort, practicality in terms of its seating configuration, and in features thanks to its 360-degree camera and sensors at the front and at the rear. It also delivered well when it came to its balanced engine and good fuel economy figures.

Overall, the 8-seater G50 is indeed a suitable MPV that is ready to meet your needs. Its adaptable seating is great for those who are starting a family or are looking for a second vehicle for family road trips. Its ride comfort is on the soft side but is still comfortable enough to deliver a smooth experience for all of its occupants. With a price tag of P1,288,000, it presents itself as a great value for money vehicle that should be on your MPV list. 

If you want to know how Caco felt about the vehicle, you can watch our Behind the Wheel episode of the Maxus G50 Premium.