2014 Maxus G10 SE Review

Seven-seater MPVs have long been common in the local market, but choices for ten-seater luxury MPVs have always been limited—especially for consumers with a budget of around RM 150,000 who want to balance space, practicality, and basic comfort features. The appearance of the 2014 Maxus G10 SE fills this gap: positioned as a luxury-level ten-seater MPV, it not only surpasses the size of the usual seven-seater models but also comes equipped with features like front and rear sensors, ISO FIX interfaces, and other safety configurations, all at a price controlled at RM 157,888. This time, we got our hands on the car to evaluate its real-world performance as a "multi-passenger transport tool": Is the space adequate? Can the power support ten people? Is it easy to drive for everyday use?

From the exterior, the G10 SE takes a "practical and steady" approach, without excessive flashy designs, but its size gives it a very imposing presence. The vehicle has a length exceeding 5 meters (5168mm), a width close to 2 meters (1980mm), and a height of 1928mm, with a wheelbase of 3198mm—making it a "big guy" among MPVs with high recognition in parking lots. The front face adopts Maxus' signature trapezoidal grille style, paired with chrome accents, which does not look cheap; the headlights use traditional halogen bulbs, which may not be as modern as LED ones but are sufficient for daily lighting. The side of the car has straight lines, and to accommodate headroom for the third and fourth rows, the roof avoids excessive sloping; the door handles are of the traditional mechanical type, with moderate opening resistance, making it easy for female users to handle. The rear design is relatively simple, with vertically arranged tail lights that complement the width of the car, and the lower part of the rear bumper has no unnecessary decorations, overall giving a sense of "steady and reliable for passenger and cargo transport."

Opening the door reveals an interior oriented towards practicality, lacking the soft-touch materials common in luxury cars, but the texture of the plastic components doesn't feel cheap, and the seams are neatly processed. The dashboard layout is clear, with the upper area dedicated to the audio and air conditioning controls, featuring large buttons that are easy to operate without looking; the lower area includes storage compartments for items like phones or wallets. It’s worth mentioning that despite being a 2014 model, it comes standard with an ABS anti-lock braking system, which was a commendable feature for ten-seater MPVs at the time. Regarding seating, the ten seats are laid out in a 2+2+3+3 configuration: the first two rows are independent seats with adjustable backrests and moderately thick cushions, comfortable for long periods of sitting; the third row is a three-person bench, and when the second row is adjusted to a suitable position, an adult can sit with about a fist-width of knee space; the fourth row is also a three-person bench, and although its legroom is slightly narrower than the third row, the high roof design ensures sufficient headroom and avoids any sense of crampedness. In terms of storage space, the door pockets can hold two bottles of mineral water, there is a small armrest box between the second and third rows, and the trunk can accommodate two 20-inch suitcases even when all 10 seats are occupied. If the fourth-row seats are folded down, you can load large luggage as well. Additionally, both the second and third rows are equipped with air conditioning vents, ensuring the comfort of rear passengers.

The powertrain of the G10 SE is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine delivering a maximum horsepower of 165PS, paired with a 6-speed automatic manual transmission. From the specifications, this power output for a 2.17-ton vehicle (empty weight) may not seem robust, but in practice, the ride is smoother than expected. When the car is empty, the throttle response is not very rapid at startup, but pressing it harder allows you to feel the power output. If 10 people are fully loaded, the power becomes noticeably "sluggish," especially during uphill driving or overtaking, where you need to press the throttle in advance to gain momentum. However, as long as you avoid aggressive driving, it can handle daily urban commuting or highway cruising. The shift logic of the transmission favors smoothness, with quick upshifts and slight jolts during downshifting, though it doesn't affect the overall driving experience.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is on the heavier side, but it is reasonably accurate without any noticeable play. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson and rear torsion beam structure, tuned for comfort. It filters out most fine vibrations when passing speed bumps or uneven roads, though rear passengers can still feel slight bouncing – this is a common tuning style for MPVs as the priority is on load-carrying capacity. The braking performance is average, with a relatively long pedal travel. The initial braking force is not strong, and you need to press deeper to achieve the desired braking effect.

As for fuel consumption, we conducted a simple test: in urban congested conditions (air conditioning fully on), the fuel consumption was about 12L per 100km, while at highway cruising speeds (100km/h), it was around 9L. Combined, it was close to the official figure of 10.3L/100km. For a 2.0L ten-seater MPV, this fuel consumption is at a normal level. Regarding noise control, at speeds below 60km/h, the cabin is relatively quiet with minimal engine noise. When the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind and tire noise gradually increase, though still within an acceptable range and not disruptive to passenger conversations.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2014 Maxus G10 SE are clear: first, its "capacity" – 10 seats combined with a spacious trunk can fully meet the needs of large families, small company commutes, or short trips; second, its "practical configurations are sufficient" – basic features like front and rear parking sensors, ISO FIX interfaces, and multi-zone air conditioning are all included without additional installation required; third, its "reasonable price" – at RM 157,888, its value stands out compared to other ten-seater MPVs in the same category (such as the Toyota Granvia entry-level model, which costs over RM 200,000).

Of course, it also has shortcomings: the power is weak when fully loaded, the interior materials are not very luxurious, and it lacks trendy features like LED headlights. However, for its target users, these are not "deal-breakers" – after all, people who buy a ten-seater MPV primarily seek a vehicle that can "safely and comfortably carry more people," and the G10 SE meets this need well.

If you are a large family with many children or need an MPV for daily commuting and occasional client receptions without wanting to spend too much money, the G10 SE is a practical choice. It is not an "all-inclusive" car, but for "carrying people and cargo," it performs well enough.