2023 LDV Mifa 9 Test: Electric People Mover Fast Drive

tea 2023 LDV Mifa 9 is aimed specifically at fleet operators and well-heeled private buyers who want to transport their customers or families electrically.

Why well-heeled? Because the LDV Mifa 9 starts at $106,000 plus road expenses for getting started Fashion diversified and excels at $131,000 for the range topping luxury cutting length.

For comparison, a top-of-the-line Kia Carnival is $65,580 (gasoline) or $67,580 (diesel).

HAS 90kWh Battery array offers around 440km Range according to LDV. It supplies a 180kW and 350Nm electric motorall channeled to the Forehead Wheels.

While its exterior design largely follows the people-mover formula, inside is where things get interesting.

The cabin design is sleek and modern, with enough luxury to justify the price. LDV only had the top-of-the-line seven-seater Luxe variant at launch (an eight-seater is coming), so we can’t talk about entry-level mode or mid-spec executive trim levels.

Certainly in Luxe trim, there’s a lot to like about the interior of the Mifa 9.

And it starts in the second row with a pair of magnificent captain’s chairs with heating, cooling, massage and reclining functions. The armrests also house a fold-out tray table, while below is a powered footrest for added comfort. And access to row two’s multi-zone climate control is via a pair of slick touchscreens integrated into each seat’s armrest.

If you’ve ever flown business class, you’ll recognize the inspiration for LDV’s second-row seats. You’re definitely making a statement.

LDV granted us access to the Mifa 9 with a very short ride which took around 12 minutes so any meaningful ride impressions will have to wait until we ride the electric conveyor belt around town journey Garage.

But the first impression is good. Although the Mifa 9 Luxe tipped the scales at a whopping 2535 kg, it moved briskly from a standstill without the breakneck speed that some electric vehicles are known for. At least he didn’t feel his weight.

LDV says it has optimized weight distribution by placing the batteries low and centrally in the Mifa 9, and that has certainly borne fruit in corners where the big people lugger stayed nice and composed.

The ride was – for the most part – refined, although it did get a bit brittle on some mottled road surfaces. Perhaps this will improve with a full number of passengers on board.

Road noise levels were mostly acceptable, although an alarming amount of wind noise infiltrated this otherwise opulent cabin from a vehicle that cost $131,000 plus on the road.

All vehicle functions are accessed from the driver’s seat via the large 12.3-inch touchscreen. And I mean “all”. Would you like to apply the parking brake? It’s in the touchscreen.

It’s not the most user-friendly setup, as some features require multiple clicks or swipes to access.

And although it comes with Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, Android Auto is conspicuous by its absence.

In contrast to its T60 ute, which dispenses with a large number of safety assistance systems, LDV has stuffed the Mifa 9 with advanced safety technologies. Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control are all standard. This is a step in the right direction for a company that has hitherto skimped on security.

Our short 12-minute road loop did not collect meaningful energy consumption data. LDV claims that the Mifa will consume 9 electrons at a rate of between 21.3kWh and 21.8kWh per 100km for a maximum range of 440km. Although not specifically stated, the range would be reduced when fully loaded with passengers on board.

Charging the 90kWh battery pack takes about 8.5 hours with an 11kW charger, while a DC fast charger charges the array from 30 to 80 percent in 36 minutes.

As with the eT60 ute, LDV admits that the Mifa 9 is aimed directly at commercial companies such as hotels with shuttle services or private transport companies.

The LDV Mifa 9 has you covered – a people carrier with an unashamedly opulent interior and an electric powertrain that meets emissions targets and pleases the eco-conscious.