LDV MIFA 7 debuts in China

The LDV MIFA 9 electric people-mover has just scored a smaller new sibling in its native Chinese market, in the form of the 2023 Maxus Dajia 7.

Measuring 4907mm long, 1885mm wide, 1768mm tall and riding on a 2975mm wheelbase, the Dajia 7 is around 100mm shorter and narrower than the current Kia Carnival and can be had in China as a six- or seven-seater, with the former employing a unique 2+1+3 configuration.

The seven-seater, meantime, offers a more traditional but still not mainstream 2+2+3 arrangement similar to an increasing number of large SUVs.

Decent accommodation in all three rows is afforded primarily by the boxy body shape, the single-motor electric powertrain’s compact nature and the fact the under-floor battery pack that feeds it measures just 125mm tall.

Said motor acts exclusively on the front wheels and outputs 180kW/350Nm, while there are two different sized batteries on offer – 77kWh and 90kWh – providing CLTC driving ranges of up to 527km and 605km respectively.

Top speed is largely irrelevant but for the record is 180km/h.

Two trim levels are being offered in China across three model grades, with the base Forest Long Range variant starting from the equivalent of $55,471 plus on-road costs.

Opt for the mid-range Forest Extended Range and the figurative price climbs to $59,744, while the flagship Alpine Extended Range starts from the equivalent of $64,015 – almost half the price of the corresponding MIFA 9.

Equipment highlights across the range include Nappa leather upholstery, power adjustable seats with memory function for the driver, heated steering wheel, wireless charging pads, panoramic roof, ambient lighting, JBL premium sound system, table boards for the second and third rows, built-in fridge, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and 18-inch alloy wheels, just to name a few.

Safety gear extends to six airbags, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane centring, blind spot monitoring, 360-degree camera, speed limiter, lane departure warning and anti-lock brakes plus all the usual traction aids.

It’ll be a while before we hear if LDV Australia is planning to offer the Maxus Dajia 7 here, but we wouldn’t be surprised if that happens given MIFA 9 is already available Down Under.

A spokesperson said the local operation was always on the lookout for new product but conceded all potential new models must be subjected to a successful feasibility study before it can be sold here.

If it does eventually get the greenlight, odds are the Dajia 7 will be renamed the MIFA 7 in our market, in line with the bigger MIFA 9.

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