It’s official – 2021 is the year of midsize SUVs. While the venerable Toyota Fortuner got an update towards the end of 2020, the Nissan Terra recently got a facelift. The Isuzu mu-X, another popular name in the segment, is about to get an all-new version this month, but before that happens, Maxus Philippines surprises the motoring public with a new offering: the Maxus D90.
Made under SAIC and practically a mechanical twin to the MG Gloster sold in other markets, the Maxus D90 is a body-on-frame midsize SUV. And yes, it’s diesel and can seat seven, and here are the rest of the things you need to know about the newest challenger in the lucrative SUV market.
Exterior-wise, the Maxus D90 sports a muscular design on its fascia, thanks to its massive grille that you won’t miss. No spec sheet for its two-piece lineup has been provided but the top-spec Premium 4×4 AT gets an ensemble of LEDs with auto on/off for the headlights. The SUV also gets a set of 19-inch alloy wheels.
Size-wise, Maxus didn’t provide exact numbers but its wheelbase has been highlighted – a whopping 2,950mm of space between the front and rear axles, the best in its class, even besting the Nissan Terra.
Inside, the Maxus D90 is pretty loaded with features, starting with its 12-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay (sorry, no Android Auto) paired with 8 speakers. It also has dual-zone climate control, power tailgate, keyless entry, push start ignition, cruise control, leather seats, 12-way power seats for the driver (and 8-way for the passenger for the top-spec), 60:40 recline-and-slide with center armrest plus easy-entry function for the 2nd row, and 50:50 recline and fold-flat function for the 3rd row.
Those aren’t the end of the equipment list. The all-new D90 also comes with the following safety and tech toys: front and rear parking distance control, full set of airbags (front, side, and curtain), reverse camera, rain-sensing wipers, electronic parking brake with auto hold, electronic stabilization program, traction control system, roll movement intervention, hill-start assist and hill-descent control, driver fatigue monitor, and tire pressure monitoring system.
Under the hood, the Maxus D90 really aims to stir the pot with its diesel mill. It’s powered by a bi-turbo intercooled direct-injection oil burner connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission (manual via paddle shifters. The 4×4 Premium AT variant makes 214hp and 480Nm of torque, while the 4×2 Premium AT produces 159hp and 375Nm of torque. The all-paw variant comes with an All-Terrain System with differential locking should you choose to go overlanding with this SUV.
The Maxus D90 is priced at P2,268,000 for the 4×4 Premium AT, while the 4×2 Premium AT sells for P1,918,000. Available colors are Blanc White, Obsidian Black, and Lava Ash; while two additional options of Water Blue and Amber Golden are exclusive to the 4×4, and the Agate Red is exclusive to the 4×2.
Of note, those price tags already entitle the owner to a 5-year warranty (or 100,000 km, whichever comes first) and a 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA). Periodic maintenance service (PMS) interval schedule on the first 6 months or 5,000 km, and once a year or every 15,000 km (whichever comes first).