Writing by Charles

Editor | Zhou Changxian

As the flagship model of the new brand series, MIFA 9 is highly anticipated by SAIC MAXUS, positioned as the world’s first “full-size luxury intelligent pure electric MPV”.

The MIFA 9 series includes three six-seat series, including Forest Six-Seater, Mountain Six-Seater, and Mountain Flagship Six-Seater, all of which make everyone a VIP. The series also has four seven-seater models: Oasis Seven-Seater, Prairie Seven-Seater, Forest Seven-Seater, and Mountain Seven-Seater. The price range of the seven models is 2.799-4.199 million yuan, and users can also customize them through “Spider Customization”.

Inspired by the “spaceship aesthetics” without boundaries, the MIFA 9’s “space-transcendental space” visual experience breaks the stereotype of MPV’s serious business with “Star Array Light Language” matrix headlights and “War Spear Light Language” dreamy taillights, resembling signal lights from a future time and space.

MIFA 9 has a rich color matching with six sets, each with its characteristics: Rui Xueqing + black bicolor roof, Obsidian Black, Muscovite Blue, Dynasty Red, Pearl White, and Meteorite Gray + black bicolor roof. The interior provides four color matching options: Starry Blue Depth, Pure Black Mysterious, Gentleman Brown Elegant, and Tian Shuiqing poetic, among which the unique Tian Shuiqing presents an elegant style of “Sunlight Through Pine Trees”.

In my opinion, MIFA 9 has two major characteristics:

First, it has a large and changeable space.

The size of MIFA 9’s body is 5270mm×2000mm×1840mm, and the wheelbase is the longest in the same level, reaching 3.2 meters. The cabin’s net height is nearly 1.3 meters, and the car’s width is 2 meters, with a yacht-grade panoramic sunroof and large-area side windows.

The maximum second-row seat channel is 210mm, equipped with an immersive first-class intelligent seat, which not only has the standard electric 12‑way adjustment, heating, ventilation, leg support, headrest, and other functions, but also offers 24 kinds of massage experiences.

The effective legroom of the third row reaches 980mm, and the shoulder space is up to 1570mm, the widest in the same level, with heating, massage, ventilation, and other functions, and equipped with the rare third-row ISOFIX child seat interface in the same level.

Interestingly, MIFA 9 is called the “space magician” and can quickly switch between living rooms, conference rooms, storage rooms, and other spatial scenes.

This car has a rare full three-row electric sliding rail of the same level, and the second row has the longest electric sliding rail of 1.1 meters, which can easily transform into a second-row “lying flat” space of up to 2.3 meters. The front and rear sliding stroke of the third row can reach a maximum level of 400mm, achieving arbitrary adjustment of the trunk space. What’s more interesting is that all these changes can be achieved by simply pressing one key using the one-key linkage function, automatic completion can be achieved within 5 seconds.

The spaciousness of MIFA 9 is also reflected in “what can be loaded”. Even when fully occupied, the trunk can still easily accommodate three pieces of luggage with sizes of 32+26+20 inches. If more spacious space is needed, just press the “luggage space mode” button, and the second and third rows will automatically move forward, releasing a maximum of 2179 liters of luggage space automatically within 5 seconds.

In addition, thanks to the efficient and compact electric architecture, MIFA 9 reserves a front trunk space of 55L for storing luggage backpacks and other items.

Second, smart enough to enhance comfort.

Whether in the front or rear seats, MIFA 9 can achieve “one-key control of the entire car” by voice or touch screen. For example, the second-row seats have the world’s first “follow the shape” function, where the original seat settings, backrest screen settings, etc., will smoothly switch to the new seat without any discomfort when passengers exchange seats.

When the “nap mode” is activated, the seats will immediately adjust the angle, turn off the lights and windows, and maintain a constant temperature of 25℃, as if in a VIP lounge. If it is in the hot summer, you can turn on the “cooling mode”, close the windows, lower the air conditioning temperature, and turn on the seat ventilation… In addition, there are seven other modes worth experiencing.

In terms of advanced driving assistance system, MIFA 9’s performance is also remarkable. It is worth mentioning that it is equipped with the L2++, UTOPILOT-YOUDAO Zhitu high-end intelligent driving system, a full-stack self-developed by SAIC Group, and applicable to all scenarios and fields.

Thanks to the support of the two leading intelligent driving chips of Horizon Journey 3 and TI TDA4, MIFA 9 achieves the first three-speed (high-speed, low-speed, zero-speed (parking)) smart driving scenario coverage in the MPV industry.In high-speed road sections, MIFA 9 can perform actions such as on-off ramp merging, intelligent evasion, and active overtaking; in low-speed road sections, by activating the “narrow road passage” function, MIFA 9 can automatically avoid obstacles on both sides; during parking, with just one click, the UTOPILOT butler-level parking function can be started, enabling autonomous parking.

As the essence of a luxury MPV, the fully electric sliding doors and electric tailgate are essential. MIFA 9 is equipped with rare full electric double side sliding doors in its class, not only ensuring the dignity of business receptions, convenience for family travel, and safety for children getting on and off, but also providing users with a luxurious ceremonial experience and an executive-level travel experience.

It is worth mentioning that MIFA 9 also has the longest B-pillar boarding handle in an MPV, reaching 550mm in length, with a ground clearance of only 919mm at its lowest point, making it easy for both the elderly and children to get on board.

Of course, MIFA 9 also has its shortcomings.

For example, in terms of quietness, MIFA 9 has up to 42 full-area acoustic package configurations and other silent black technologies throughout the vehicle, and according to on-paper data, its noise reduction is more than 2dBA better than that of same-level benchmark models. However, what is quite surprising is that although MIFA 9 is equipped with a front MacPherson independent suspension + five-link independent rear suspension combination, in terms of filtering road bumps and ensuring vehicle handling and riding comfort, it is barely satisfactory.

In addition, let’s criticize MIFA 9’s over 10-inch wide HUD head-up display. The advantage is that it is large enough, but the disadvantage is that the colors are monochromatic, especially in the clear skies of Lijiang, where the bright sunlight can make the large white font a little dazzling.

Finally, let’s talk about some other key data of MIFA 9.

Based on the new generation E2 architecture, MIFA 9 is equipped with SAIC Group’s new generation of intelligent and efficient electric drive system and 90-degree three-element lithium battery, with a CLTC cruising range of over 560km, a wind resistance coefficient of only 0.29Cd, and a power consumption of only 17.1 degrees per hundred kilometers. It only takes 30 minutes to fully charge up to 80% battery.

Conclusion:

After a long-distance test drive of this car, it is undeniable that MIFA 9 has outstanding product strengths in terms of intelligence, but in terms of comfort, it has both amazing and lacking aspects. From the first aspect, it has the potential to become a disrupter in the new energy MPV industry, but from the latter, it is a regrettable deduction point.

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This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.