BYD eMax 7 Electric MPV Review: What Stands Out And What Doesn't

Available with 6- and 7-seater versions, here is what we liked about the eMax 7 and what we did not

The eMax 7 is a new version of its original e6 MPV but now it is also aimed at personal buyers rather than just fleet. Being an electric MPV, there is no competition for the eMax 7 right now while BYD have freshened up the styling along with a more powerful motor plus more range. Available with 6- and 7-seater versions, here is what we liked about the eMax 7 and what we did not.

What we like

The new eMax 7 looks more pleasant now with its crystal LED headlamps at the front and the upgraded bumper design. The side view remains the same but the rear styling gets the connected tail-lamp treatment which brings in a more premium look. There is the Dragon face too which is distinctive but the eMax still is an inoffensive design but now looks a bit better.

The interiors are the biggest change with the 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen which is a pls point and better cabin materials along with the dual tone upholstery. There is a 6-seater on offer while the feature list has grown with dual powered seats with cooling function, a fixed but full length glass sunroof, ADAS, NFC card key, reclining rear seats, 360 degree camera, two wireless chargers, air filter, powered tailgate and more.

There is a lot of space in the second row with a flat floor and the seats are pretty comfortable too. Even the third row is spacious which is a highlight for the eMax.

The larger battery pack is a 71.8 kWh one with a claimed 530km range and with its blade battery tech, you can expect the range to closely mirror this figure too. Hence, expect a real world range of about 400km plus which is quite good for the eMax.

A more important change is the new 204hp motor which has a lot more power than the earlier e6 and it feels like it is much more quick and effortless to drive. It is a silent cruiser and perfect highway family car with excellent NVH levels too.

The eMax is fast charge compliant and is also can be used to charge appliances.

What we do not like

The eMax comes with two seat configurations but the rear seat doesn't come with features like a table or an Ottoman like a Hycross or even the new Alcazar.

We did find some hard plastics in the cabin design and the analogue dials do look a bit out of the place here in the car.

With full load, the ground clearance could be an issue over bad roads even though we did not encounter any.

Verdict

With the top-end model being Rs 29.9 lakh, the BYD eMax for a CBU is very well priced and offers a lot in terms of good range, comfort and enough features. Compared to the plain e6, this one is much better value and comes with a set of strengths as well to become an all-electric rival to the popular Innova Hycross.

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