If you can’t beat them join them. Maxus unveiled the eTERRON 9 electric pick-up in late 2024 & it was joined in early 2025 by a new diesel Maxus pick-up the T60. We took a trip to the home of the Beatles to put it through its paces.
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There’s just one version the MAX, priced at £36,115, which is powered by a 213hp 2-litre diesel engine. Peak torque is 500Nm. It features 8-speed automatic transmission mated to a four-wheel-drive system.
Size & practicality
It measures 5395mm long by 1960mm wide by 1870mm high.The cargo load bed measures 1485mm × 1510mm, with a height of 530mm. It also has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, a GVW of 3250kg & a payload of 1050kg
Outside
At the front the T60 comes with a dark front grille, high LED headlights, black side corner cut-outs & a large MAXUS logo on the bonnet front. The rear has a centre bumper step, vertical rear lights & a T60 MAX logo emblazoned on the tailgate. There’s roll bars & a side step as well.
Inside
The infotainment & driver display is the same as in the ET9, a massive dual screen consisting of a 12.3” cluster & 12.3” central touch screen that stretches across the dashboard top. There’s no gear lever, instead, you’re presented with a right side steering wheel stalk with a simple Reverse, Neutral, Park or Drive option. The steering wheel also features switches for cruise control on the left & on the right those to utilise the infotainment, hands-free phone, voice control & heated steering wheel.
Located between the front seats is a large armrest with the wireless phone charger, electric handbrake & off-road function dial floating above. Here you can connect your Smartphone via Apple CarPlay, utilising the wireless charging pad. Or plug in via the two front & one rear USB input. Separate climate controls are located underneath the screen with air vents above.
Equipment
Standard is a 6-way adjustable leather driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, LED automatic headlights, automatic wipers, the wireless charging pad, DAB radio, Bluetooth, connected Apps for Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6 speakers & Maxus connected services.
Cabin practicality
There are numerous cabin storage spaces including large door pockets, a glove box, a covered centre are with cup holders & tray & space beneath the centre armrest. In the rear there’s a fold down armrest with twin cupholders inside.
Safety
These include a 360 degree camera, front/rear parking sensors, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning & driver & front passenger airbags, side airbags & front to rear curtain airbags. Rear Differential Lock is also standard with three driving modes offered, Eco, Normal & Power.
Infotainment
The screen itself is clear & bright. Our only complaint is that the screen menus; Vehicle, Energy, Driving, Connection, Sound System, are located on the left hand side so a bit of a reach for the driver. The infotainment connections for Apple CarPlay worked promptly, using the DAB radio was fine & the inclusion of 6 speakers on our pick-up gave the system some heft.
Load practicality
T60 comes with a painted load bed liner, a tailgate lock, tailgate lift assistance, rear bumper step, a side step & roof rails.
On the road
We drove the T60 on the motorway & around Liverpool city centre & it rides like a typical diesel pick-up truck & is certainly no better or worse than the Hilux & D-Max. Up front, the ride feels firm & with leaf-spring rear suspension it’s the same in the rear. Front & rear seat space is good with decent head & legroom in the rear as well.
The cabin is comfortable & user-friendly, the dashboard & switches are easy to use & to understand & the off road dial easy to reach & adjust as required. On the motorway adaptive cruise control is a blessing & one up to 70mph in eighth gear the T60 cruises comfortably.
Road noise does enter the cabin thanks to the large tyres & wing mirrors, but again it’s par for the course in a pick-up.
You can alter performance via a range of drive modes – ‘Eco’, ‘Power’ or ‘Normal’. Eco in town is sensible, Power when fully laden makes sense too. Top speed is 105mph.
Venture off road & clearance is 230mm on the back axle, 217mm on the front axle & 230mm between the axles. Maxus quotes an approach angle of up to 29-degrees & a departure angle of up to 26-degrees, which are class competitive.
Pros
As it’s only available in ‘MAX’ form, it’s incredibly well equipped compared to the same priced Ford or VW truck. The interior’s well presented & it all feels built to last. Good safety & plenty of infotainment features come as standard too.
Cons
In the entry end of the pick-ip sector, there’s plenty of competition from the likes of the GWM POER300 & soon the return of the Mitsubishi L200 & an updated KGM Musso.
Verdict
Whilst not a refined as the Ranger or Amarok, it’s priced competitively to compete with their lower specced models, whilst offering the ride & practicality of a Hilux. New kids on the block though have entered the sector so it will be interesting to see how the T60 performs in a suddenly booming-again sector.
Diesel’s back in fashion 3.25/5
