Maxus V80 2018 Review

2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van is a commercial vehicle that combines flexible urban access with practical cargo space, offering economical fuel consumption, sufficient configuration, outstanding cost performance, and suitability for the transportation needs of small and medium-sized businesses.

TBC

Maxus V80 2018

Segment

Commercial

Body Type

Commercial

Capacity(L)

Engine Power(PS)

Engine Torque(Nm)

Transmission

View Maxus V80 > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

In recent years, the demand for multifunctional vehicles in Malaysia’s commercial vehicle market has been steadily increasing. Whether it's for the transportation of goods for small and micro enterprises, or for employee commuting in SMEs, there is a need for a model that balances cargo practicality with basic comfort. The Maxus V80 series, a popular choice in the commercial vehicle sector, has attracted attention due to its flexible vehicle layout and balanced performance. This time, we’re focusing on testing the 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van Short Wheelbase version, with the core purpose of verifying its actual performance in daily commercial scenarios to see if it can meet the core needs of local businesses.

The exterior of the 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van Short Wheelbase follows a practical design route, with moderate aesthetics but considerable recognizability. The front features a vertical-bar grille paired with square headlights, resulting in a stable overall design. The side profile is straight-lined, with a short wheelbase of 3100mm, a length of 4950mm, a width of 1998mm, and a height of 2345mm. These dimensions make the vehicle more maneuverable when driving or parking in narrow urban streets. The rear design is simple, with vertical tail lights ensuring rear visibility, and the large opening angle of the tailgate facilitates easy loading and unloading of goods. The lighting system uses halogen sources across the board; while its illumination is average, the low maintenance cost aligns with its positioning as a commercial vehicle.

Sitting inside, the interior styling emphasizes practicality, with a symmetrical layout for the center console. The positions of buttons and knobs are quite convenient to use. The steering wheel is a three-spoke design made of hard plastic, and although the grip is average, it is equipped with functional buttons to control the audio system and Bluetooth calls directly. The center display screen is 7 inches in size and supports Bluetooth connectivity and reverse cameras. Although it lacks complex intelligent systems, it offers sufficient basic functionality for daily usage. The seats are made of fabric material, and the driver’s seat supports manual adjustment, providing decent support for long drives. The cabin offers ample storage options: door storage slots, a compartment under the center console for miscellaneous items, and a glovebox in front of the passenger seat, delivering solid practicality.

Space performance is one of the core strengths of this vehicle. The short wheelbase version has a closed rear cargo space with a capacity of 5.7 cubic meters. The cargo floor is flat, and there are anchor points on both sides to secure goods, meeting the transport needs of small to medium-sized shipments. The front-row seating space is spacious. A 175cm tall passenger sitting in the front row has about two fists of headroom and sufficient legroom. The vehicle is equipped with front and rear air conditioning vents, and the rear cargo space also has independent air conditioning vents, which help in quickly lowering the temperature during hot weather, particularly useful for transporting goods sensitive to high temperatures. The front row also comes with two USB ports and a 12V power socket, making it convenient to charge phones or connect other devices.

In terms of performance, this model is powered by a 2.5T turbocharged diesel engine, delivering a maximum power of 100kW and a peak torque of 330N·m, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The power output is smooth during start-up, and the clutch engagement point is clear, allowing new drivers to adapt quickly. At low to medium speeds, the power reserve is sufficient, and overtaking is just a matter of downshifting to get timely power delivery. At high speeds, the engine runs at around 2000 RPM to maintain a speed of 100km/h, with good fuel efficiency. The overall fuel consumption is about 8.5L/100km, and the actual tested fuel consumption per 100km is approximately 9L. In terms of handling, the steering wheel offers average precision with minimal slack, which is adequate for daily driving. The chassis features a front MacPherson independent suspension and rear leaf spring non-independent suspension. While this combination can feel a bit stiff when the vehicle is empty and traveling over bumpy roads, the suspension provides good support when fully loaded without significant sagging.

In the special performance test, we tested fuel consumption and braking performance. After actual road tests, driving 50km each in congested urban roads and highway sections, the combined fuel consumption was 9L/100km. This result is slightly above average among vehicles in the same commercial vehicle category. In terms of braking performance, the braking distance from 100km/h to 0 was 42 meters, which is fairly standard. As long as a safe distance is maintained during daily driving, the braking effect is sufficient. The noise control of the vehicle is average. Engine noise and wind noise are quite noticeable at high speeds, but remain within an acceptable range and do not affect normal conversations. The seat comfort is decent, with the fabric material offering good breathability, making long-duration sitting not too stuffy.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van short-wheelbase version are practical space, fuel economy, and adequate configurations. Compared to the short-wheelbase version of Iveco Daily in the same category, this model is priced lower while offering more features, making it more cost-effective. Compared to the long-wheelbase version of the Maxus V80, the short-wheelbase model is more flexible and better suited for urban transportation. In summary, this vehicle is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises or individual merchants to transport goods, and also for users who occasionally need to carry passengers. After all, its front-row seating space and comfort can meet the needs of daily commuting.

To conclude, the 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van short-wheelbase version is a well-balanced commercial vehicle without any significant shortcomings. Its space, power, and fuel consumption meet the needs of daily use. If you are in need of a reliable and practical transport tool and are price-sensitive, this vehicle is worth considering. Its core competitiveness lies in its practicality and cost-effectiveness, truly addressing users' transportation needs.

Pros

The interior layout is reasonable, buttons are convenient to use, and the leather steering wheel provides a comfortable grip, with ample storage space.

The rear/passenger space is spacious, accommodating three adults without being crowded, making long-distance travel more comfortable.

The diesel engine offers strong power, making climbing slopes and overtaking effortless, suitable for heavy-load transportation.

Cons

The design is moderate, and the grille looks ordinary and lacks a modern touch, not stunning

Some models feel underpowered when starting on Penang hill roads at full load, requiring deeper throttle input

Safety configuration is quite basic, lacking active safety features like ESP, needs improvement

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 4 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.5 / 5

Interior Design

4.5 / 5

Safety

4.5 / 5

Exterior Design

4.3 / 5

Showing 4 reviews

5 Excellent

FocusRS

Owner of 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van

As a driver who has been doing transportation in Malaysia for three years, I’d like to share my actual experience with this 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van. The exterior gets 4 points; the overall design is decent and practical. The white body is resistant to dirt and quite eye-catching, making it stand out noticeably in the crowded traffic of Kuala Lumpur. However, the design of the front grille looks a bit plain, lacking some modern touch. If it were more stylish, it would be even better. The interior deserves 5 points! Although it's a commercial vehicle, the center console layout is reasonable, the buttons are easily operable, and the leather steering wheel is comfortable to grip. What amazed me most is the rear row space; three adults can sit comfortably without feeling cramped. My colleagues often say it’s much more comfortable than the previous vehicle during long-distance deliveries. Performance-wise, it also gets 5 points. The 2.5T diesel engine is powerful and climbs smoothly on the hilly roads in Penang. The 6-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly, and the fuel consumption is very economical—less than 2 MYR per kilometer. The suspension system is well-tuned, and when driving on bumpy rural roads in Johor Bahru, the cargo rarely shakes, which is crucial for transporting fragile goods. Overall, this Maxus V80 Panel Van performs excellently under use cases in Malaysia, and it is a highly recommended commercial vehicle.

5 Excellent

GTI_7

Owner of 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van

As the owner of a 2018 Maxus V80 Panel Van in Malaysia for almost five years, what I'm most satisfied with is its interior! Although it's a commercial vehicle, the center console is designed to be very practical, with plenty of storage compartments — when I transport goods from Kuala Lumpur to Klang, I can easily stash my phone, toll card, and small tools without having to search everywhere. The seats are also much more comfortable compared to the old van I used to drive. The leather material is durable, and even after driving on the highway for four to five hours daily, my back doesn't feel overly strained. As for performance, I would give it 4 out of 5. When it's fully loaded (about 1 ton) and running on the North-South Expressway, the 1.9T diesel engine delivers enough power, and overtaking is effortless. However, in areas like Penang where there are more slopes, the start-up can feel a bit sluggish when fully loaded, and you need to step harder on the accelerator. But overall, considering the road conditions in Malaysia, it's stable for transporting goods and long-distance driving. The fuel consumption is also reasonable at around 2.5 MYR per kilometer, which is pretty good for a commercial vehicle.

5 Excellent

AudiZ

Owner of 2018 Maxus V80 Passenger Van

As an owner who has been driving a 2018 Maxus V80 Passenger Van for three years in Malaysia, I truly feel that this vehicle was the right choice! First of all, I give full marks for its exterior design—no complaints. The boxy body paired with the silver-grey paint makes it particularly attractive in Kuala Lumpur traffic. Moreover, the large side windows are a great feature for transporting goods, making the van less stuffy inside. Even clients have commented that it looks more upscale compared to those older local vans. As for performance, I also have to give it 5 stars! I mainly drive on the highways from Klang Valley to Johor Bahru, and the 1.9T diesel engine (even though the specs don't mention it, it feels powerful in reality) performs excellently when overtaking on the North-South Expressway. It handles slopes effortlessly, even when fully loaded with goods. The most important aspect is that during the frequent rainy season in Malaysia, I often encounter waterlogged roads. Its high ground clearance has never left me worried about stalling, which is far more reassuring than the Japanese compact car I used to drive. For safety, I'll deduct one point and give it a 4. It comes with basic ABS and dual airbags, but it would have been better if it had ESP like the newer models. However, the vehicle stability is good when driving on the highway, and it can maintain steady control even when dealing with motorbikes that suddenly change lanes. This is particularly reassuring on Malaysia's traffic-heavy roads. All in all, as a commercial van, it’s truly competent!

4 Excellent

H2_998

Owner of 2018 Maxus V80 Passenger Van

As the owner of a 2018 Maxus V80 Passenger Van, I've been driving it in Malaysia for almost two years now, and overall, I'm quite satisfied. Speaking of safety, although it doesn't have too many flashy active safety features, the basic ABS and airbags are very practical. Last time, when braking suddenly on a rainy road in Penang, the car stopped steadily without skidding, which gave me a sense of security. As for the appearance, it's a typical commercial vehicle design—boxy and square. While it’s not exactly stunning, it stands out quite well in Kuala Lumpur's traffic, and the white body is resistant to dirt, making it suitable for long-distance trips. As for the interior, the plastic feel is a bit strong, but it wins in having a reasonable layout, plenty of storage space, and a simple-to-operate central control screen. It's very convenient for playing music and using navigation when driving on the highway. However, it would be better if the materials were softer, especially since long drives are sometimes necessary. Overall, as a car for household use and occasional goods transportation, I’d say its performance deserves a 4 out of 5 rating.