BYD eMAX 7 First Drive: Great MPV, That’s Also An EV

The BYD eMAX 7 is a big improvement from its predecessor the e6. But let me explain. It’s only a little longer than before but the real improvements are two new, more powerful motors and two battery pack options. And in moving from a 5 seater to a proper MUV, it becomes the first EV to be priced on par with its ICE competition. 

In BYDs own words the eMAX is now targeting everyone. And that is key, So to widen that target audience, they needed to make the experience more premium & plush and they have.

A Step Up

The BYD eMAX 7 retains much of the essence of its predecessor, the e6, but introduces enough changes to keep things fresh. The front fascia features a new bumper design with functional lower vents, adding to the sporty aesthetic. The "crystal diamond floating headlamps" with five intricate elements look really neat when it’s dark and this theme of five elements is carried over to the connected taillights as well.

From the side, the eMAX 7 maintains its MPV profile, with subtle chrome accents and a smooth aerodynamic silhouette. The 17-inch alloy wheels stand out with their simple yet sporty multispoke design, and the surprise is that they aren’t the aero design we’ve seen on most new EVs.

The eMAX 7 has a similar length as the Innova but it does sit on a longer wheelbase. It has a shorter height and this is where it gives up some ground on its rivals in terms of road presence. Still, its sleek lines and understated elegance ensure that it's noticed.

Premium and Practical

The cabin of the eMAX 7 is a bigger step up in quality and features. The dual-tone black and brown theme creates a rich, luxurious ambience. Soft-touch materials adorn most of your touchpoints, including the centre console, armrests, and door pads. The dashboard features smooth plastics and a faux black wood finish that elevates the overall design.

The eMAX 7 comes loaded with a comprehensive feature set:

• Panoramic glass roof.

• 6-speaker sound system.

• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

• Air purifier

• Electric parking brake with auto-hold

• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology

While the features list is extensive, some minor improvements could elevate the experience. Like adding an auto-dimming IRVM unit and enhancing the quality of the audio experience.

The 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system is of course the centerpiece of the BYD experience. It is responsive, crisp in display and equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system also includes a 360-degree camera that's crisp and easy to use with plenty of customisation built in as well.

Additional features include ventilated seats, a wireless charging pad, two cupholders, good storage all around and a large central armrest compartment.

Spacious but Could Be Better

The front seats are well-cushioned, electrically adjustable, and offer excellent support. The steering wheel is adjustable for both tilt and reach, ensuring a comfortable driving position. However, you’re likely to spend more time in the rear.

The second row offers ample legroom and headroom, with adjustable seats that slide and recline for added comfort. There are also air-con vents with independent fan speed control, USB charging ports, and storage pockets. The captain seat configuration further enhances comfort with adjustable armrests and allows for easier access to the third row.

However, there are some things we thought could have been improved. For example, there are no cupholders in the second row, which feels like a significant omission for an MPV.  Also, rear sunshades would have been a nice addition. Still, the second row remains a comfortable space, with large windows and a panoramic glass roof adding to the sense of space.

Access to the third row is either by a fold-and-tumble mechanism for the captain seats. Or through the gap between them. While the entry is relatively smooth, the third-row seating is best suited for children or short journeys. Adults might find the knee-up seating position and slightly limited headroom a little cramped for long journeys. However, dedicated AC vents in the third row ensure a pleasant environment for all occupants.

The eMAX 7 offers 180 litres of boot space with all three rows in use, which is sufficient for a few small bags. Folding the third row increases the capacity to an impressive 580 litres, making it ideal for road trips and family outings. The flat loading lip and magnetic seat straps are a nice practical touch showing the attention to detail BYD has given even to the boot and storage area.

Safety

Safety is a strong suit for the eMAX 7, with 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, traction control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The Level 2 ADAS suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot detection.

Although we couldn't test the ADAS features extensively, they promise to enhance safety and convenience.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

The eMAX 7 is available with two battery options: a 55.4 kWh unit and a larger 71.8 kWh battery pack. They deliver either 420 km or 530 km of claimed range. Our test vehicle featured the larger battery pack, paired with a motor that makes 204PS of power and 310Nm of torque. BYD's blade battery technology ensures excellent efficiency and we actually saw 520 km of range on the meters when we started the drive with 98 percent of the battery charged. So the real-world range should also be fairly comparable to the claimed figure. Not something that we have noticed on other EVs when the starting number at full charge, is usually a lot lower than the claimed figure. Fast charging also allows a 0-80 percent charge in just 35 minutes at a 115 kW station.

The eMAX 7 is smooth and easy to drive, and throttle response is linear, even in Sport mode  The steering is well-weighted, light in the city, and stable on the highway. On a flat empty portion of the tarmac, we managed a 0-100kmph time of 8.2 seconds, surpassing BYD's claim of 8.6 seconds. This was also recorded on BYD’s own trip computer.

The suspension system is well-tuned to handle uneven surfaces and speed bumps with ease, providing a quiet and composed ride. And when the ease of driving, light responsive controls, comfortable ride and quiet cabin all come together you really do feel like driving the eMAX 7 is a very wholesome and sophisticated experience. 

Verdict

BYD has priced the eMAX 7 on par with the Innova Crysta (for the 55.4 kWh version) and on par with the Hycross (for the 71.8 kWh version). For the first time, you can have an electric alternative without spending more than the petrol/diesel options. 

The work that’s gone in to make the eMax 7 more upmarket shows, whether it's in the updated design, the plusher cabin or the added features. Cost savings owing to lower running costs and a real-world range in excess of 400km simply make its case stronger. 

It’s not the most spacious MPV out there, but if you are in the market for an MPV — any MPV for that matter — then the BYD eMAX 7 is definitely worth looking at.