2022 Maxus T60 2.8L 4WD AT Review

In recent years, Malaysia's pickup truck market has been heating up, with increasing demand from family users for "dual-purpose" models—those with solid loading capabilities without compromising on ride comfort and smart features. In the mid-range pickup truck segment priced around RM110,000, most models either lean towards a utility-oriented, basic configuration or focus on family use while compromising on off-road performance. The arrival of the 2022 Maxus T60 2.8L 4WD AT fills this gap perfectly, promoting its key selling points of strong diesel-powered torque, off-road capability with a 4WD system, and class-leading intelligent safety features. Can it really meet the diverse needs of users? This time, we'll verify its actual performance through a static experience and a dynamic test drive.

At first glance, the T60's overall design does not follow an excessively rugged path but balances a sense of stability for family use. The front features a large blackened grille, paired with a chrome strip running across, which connects to LED headlights on both sides. This not only widens the visual width but also enhances its recognizability. The side profile of the vehicle is sleek, with a length of 5,365mm and a width of 2,145mm, ensuring ample storage space. Slight bulges around the wheel arches add a touch of off-road flair. The rear design is simple and clean, with vertically arranged taillights echoing the front headlights. The chrome accents on the lower part of the rear bumper add a touch of sophistication, while the rear fog lamps and reversing camera maximize practicality. The lighting system uses all LED sources, offering quick illumination and sufficient brightness, ensuring clear vision even on country roads at night.

Inside the T60, the interior style leans towards simplicity and functionality but doesn't lack thoughtful details. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, accented by silver trim, which provides a tactile and visual effect that exceeds the utilitarian positioning of pickups in the same price range. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system is positioned centrally, featuring a user-friendly interface and smooth operation. It supports Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone mirroring, making everyday use convenient. The multifunctional steering wheel is wrapped in leather, offering a comfortable grip. Buttons on the left adjust the volume, phone, and cruise control, while the right-side controls switch vehicle information displayed on the screen, enabling quick and intuitive operation. In terms of features, keyless entry/start, a 6-speaker sound system, and USB ports for the front row are included, meeting daily family needs effortlessly. Safety features are a highlight. In addition to four airbags, ABS, and electronic stability control, it also comes standard with lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking, which are not common in pickups in this segment, providing an extra layer of protection for passengers.

Space is one of the T60’s strong points, as the 3,155mm wheelbase provides ample legroom in both the front and rear rows. The front seats support manual adjustments, offering decent cushion and backrest support, making long drives less tiring. The legroom in the rear seats exceeds two fist-widths, so even passengers up to 180cm tall won't feel cramped. The low center floor bump ensures comfort for the middle passenger as well. Regarding storage space, the door storage bins can hold two large water bottles. Beneath the center console is a covered storage compartment, suitable for holding phones or wallets, and the center armrest box is deep enough to accommodate small personal items. Although the exact dimensions of the truck bed are not officially specified, judging by the vehicle's proportions, it is more than sufficient for carrying everyday tools or weekend camping gear.

In the dynamic test drive segment, the 2.8T diesel engine equipped on the T60 delivers a maximum power of 152PS and a peak torque of 425N·m, paired with a 6AT transmission. At start-up, the low-torque advantage of the diesel engine is evident, reaching maximum torque at just 1600rpm. A light tap on the accelerator is enough to feel the ample power output. Even when fully loaded or climbing hills, it doesn't feel underpowered. During acceleration, the gearbox shifts smoothly without noticeable jerks, upshifting proactively and downshifting responsively. When overtaking, a deep press on the accelerator prompts decisive gear changes, providing timely power delivery. The four-wheel drive system supports modes for high-speed two-wheel drive, high-speed four-wheel drive, and low-speed four-wheel drive. On muddy roads or light off-road sections, switching to high-speed four-wheel drive allows for easy passage, while low-speed four-wheel drive offers greater torque amplification for handling more challenging terrains.

In terms of handling, the T60's steering wheel offers moderate resistance and precise directional control without noticeable slack, making daily driving relatively easy. The suspension system adopts a front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear leaf spring non-independent suspension, a common configuration in pickup trucks. This setup ensures support during off-road conditions while balancing comfort during daily driving. When driving over speed bumps or on bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations, and the body remains stable without noticeable bouncing, ensuring good comfort for rear passengers. During cornering, body roll is kept within a reasonable range, avoiding a floating feeling and maintaining good stability.

The fuel consumption performance meets the expectation for a diesel vehicle. We drove 50km each on city roads and highways at an average speed of about 40km/h, with the final displayed fuel consumption at 8.5L/100km, slightly lower than the official figure of 9L/100km. For a 2.8T four-wheel-drive pickup, this result is quite impressive. In terms of noise control, the diesel engine is slightly loud at idle, but once in motion, wind and tire noise are well managed, allowing for uninterrupted conversations or music inside the cabin. The comfort of the seats also stood out during dynamic driving. The seat cushions provide good support and wrapping, ensuring that long drives are free from back or waist discomfort.

Overall, the 2022 Maxus T60 2.8L 4WD AT's core strength lies in its "balance" — the strong torque from the diesel engine satisfies cargo and off-road demands, the four-wheel-drive system enhances passability, and the abundant intelligent safety features and comfortable driving experience cater to family-use needs. Compared to similar models like the Toyota Hilux or the Ford Ranger, the T60 offers richer features at a lower price, particularly with the inclusion of active safety systems, making its cost-effectiveness stand out; however, it might slightly lag behind its competitors in terms of brand influence and resale value.

This vehicle is suitable for two groups of people: individual entrepreneurs who need to balance cargo transportation and family trips, and young families who enjoy weekend off-roading and camping while valuing features and comfort. It has no obvious shortcomings and meets the needs of users in various scenarios.

In summary, the 2022 Maxus T60 2.8L 4WD AT is a "versatile" pickup truck that offers exceptional features and balanced performance for a price of 110,000 Malaysian Ringgit, making it a worthy choice in the mid-range pickup truck market.