Maxus eTerron 9 – Europe’s first electric four-wheel drive pickup truck

The Maxus eTerron 9 is the brand’s second all-electric pickup truck and the first to come with four-wheel drive. Revealed at the 2024 IAA van show in Hannover, the eTerron 9 is due to go on sale in the UK before end of 2024. It comes fitted with motors on the front and rear axles and a large 102kWh battery that provides an official range of 267 miles.

This is a huge improvement from the Maxus T90EV that offers a much smaller electric range and is rear-wheel drive only.

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The front axles are driven by a 168hp (125kW) motor, while the rear are powered by a 268hp (200kW) motor, providing a total power output of 436hp. This enables a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds and a maximum towing weight of 3.5 tonnes.

Payload challenges

However, it comes at a bit of a cost to start off with, as the eTerron 9 is only able to provide a maximum payload of 620kg, which is well short of the 1,000kg that is needed to qualify for all the beneficial commercial vehicle tax rates that makes a double-cab pickup so appealing.

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However, a Maxus spokesman said that there are plans to try and up this payload figure. This would require the suspension to be adapted. This suspension is currently a multi-link setup rather than a leaf-spring arrangement, so tweaking it may negatively impact the ride.

The spokesman also said that it would be advantageous for the government to engage with the weight-limits and requirements on pickups as more head towards electrification.

Lifestyle orientated

The Maxus eTerron 9 is geared towards the lifestyle market for the time being, with the multi-link suspension offering an adjustable ride height. It can be dropped down to provide easier loading or raised up to enable improved off-road ability. There is also an all-terrain system and as many as 400 different driving mode combinations for on and off-road scenarios.

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There are some clever innovations in and out of the cabin, too. The front passenger seat can be reclined totally flat, providing a bed-style area measuring 1.7m by 0.5m. There are as many as 20 storage compartments throughout the cabin.

The eTerron 9 also offers an electronically powered tail gate and the ability to open the bulkhead between the loading bay and the cabin. And you can drop the rear seats to provide a longer loading area for items such as surfboards or poles.

Up front, there is a 236-litre front storage area, which can be used to hold more than 75kg of luggage or can seat two people – presumably smaller ones for al fresco picnics or lifestyle moments by the beach.

The eTerron 9 is set to cost a similar amount to the T90EV, rather than undercutting it or being significantly more. The T90EV is currently priced from £49,995 before VAT.