2022 Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort Review

The MPV segment is full of options that are perfectly suited for the budding family or for those who want a reliable 7-seater in the country. That being said, one thing we have noticed is that these options tend to be a bit down on horsepower. These MPVs typically have a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine that produces a little over 100 horsepower, while this is a decent amount of power, there are buyers other there that want a little more kick out of their vehicle.

Enter the Maxus G50, one of the rare few that come with a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. While its Premium variant was equipped well, so much so that some touted it as a rival to the Toyota Innova, Maxus Philippines decided to bring an entry-level model that will hopefully wow the MPV buyer segment with its affordable price and its feature set.

With that said, here is our review of the Maxus G50 1.3-liter Comfort variant, the newest addition to the MPV’s variant lineup.

It's a familiar look for the Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort as it comes with much of the same design language as its higher variant counterparts. It still comes with van-like dimensions which are accentuated by its short nose and boxy body at the rear. It still comes with the same design headlights albeit this time halogen projectors instead of the LEDs that you get in the higher models. The large grille is still present but instead of a chrome accent piece in the center of the front fascia, it is replaced with a silver one instead. 

Moving onto the side of the G50 Comfort and it's the same story as its Premium counterpart. It's just clean lines with not much going on. You still do get the small window under the A-pillar with greatly aids in the visibility of the vehicle. Something to note as well is that the Comfort variant rides on 16-inch wheels which looks small compared to the 17s found in the higher variants. 

At the rear again it's much of the same design as the higher models. However, we did notice that the 3rd brake light has disappeared and that the chrome accent found on the tailgate has been replaced by a silver one once again. It's still a very simple and clean design that works well to give the entry-level MPV a premium look. 

The interior of the Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort manages to give off a simple yet elegant look thanks to the smart use of plastics and gray and black overtones. It looks very corporate which works to the benefit of the model as it gives it a simple and clean look. While on the Premium model there was a massive infotainment system, this time around it has been swapped for a proprietary radio which is ok but it takes a bit away from the vehicle in terms of looks and useability.

Nevertheless, the layout of the controls is still the same with the climate controls being found under the front air vents and the gauge cluster still sporting analog meters on the side. What is evident here is that there is a lack of steering wheel controls which again takes a bit away from the vehicle as the user is left with just blanks.

Despite the seats not being powered or being leather the Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort still manages to retain the same comfort levels as its higher variants. The seat cushioning is still great while being supportive at the same time. The bolstering is also good giving you just enough flex to remain comfortable while still being fairly supportive at the same time.

At the rear, it's the same story as the Premium model as much of the same versatility is still present in this entry-level model. The second row can still slide forwards allowing for more room in the back for the third-row occupants. Speaking of the third-row space is still decent but is better off for smaller passengers or children to be in especially on longer trips. 

Unlike its much better equipped higher variants, this comfort model only comes with reverse sensors. It's not a deal breaker per se as they work well with the car and are accurate enough to help you maximize space, but you need to slowly back into a spot which can be tricky, especially for inexperienced manual transmission drivers. 

Aside from this, the G50 Comfort still retains other standard features such as driver and passenger airbags, ISOFIX tethers, an electronic stabilization program, rear parking sensors, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an immobilizer.

In terms of technology, the Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort doesn’t have much to offer as it only has a proprietary-sized radio at its disposal. It does come with a USB port, however, it can’t read Apple or Android devices, so you are better off putting your music onto a USB drive. It also doesn't come with an auxiliary input so you can’t play your music without an FM modulator. It is a weird feature set to not have at least Bluetooth available in this day and age, but we are thankful that there is a USB port available for charging purposes.

The Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort excels in city driving, it's 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine feels nothing like a conventional motor and is closer to that of a diesel engine. Torque is found in the lower rev range and is easily accessible towards the middle of the rev range thanks to the turbo. The transmission is great as you can easily and swiftly change gears to keep the revs low in the city and there is always power when you need it while on the highway. 

One thing to note, however, is that the Maxus G50 1.3 comfort sings at a glorious 2500rpm while you are on the highway at speeds of 90 km/h. It's not bad as the NVH is decent enough to keep the engine noise at bay, but it's not a great thing for fuel economy as you will need to drop to around 80 km/h to get the best results.

Speaking of fuel economy we were able to get 10km/L in the city thanks to the “eco coach” feature that the Maxus G50 has to tell you when to shift up to be fuel efficient. However, on the highway, we were only able to get around 15 km/L which isn’t bad. This is where the gearing of the G50 comes back to bite it as at 90km/h you are already at 2500 RPM while in 6th gear. While it's great to always have the power ready and waiting for you when you hit the accelerator, it's not always a good thing if you are looking to save on gas. During our testing the Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort was able to get around 300 kilometers worth of range on a full tank with its mixed city and highway use.

The Maxus G50 1.3 Comfort comes with a price tag of P948,000, which makes it an attractive buy for those looking to get a simple and back-to-basics sort of vehicle. It may not come with all the fancy technology compared to its Japanese rivals, but it does come with the power to beat them. If power is what you are looking for and don’t mind not having a touchscreen or Bluetooth for that matter then the G50 Comfort ticks all the right boxes especially if you just want a simple people hauler for a transport service. We do wish that Maxus Philippines upgrades the infotainment system to accommodate Bluetooth connectivity in the future as all smartphone users can benefit from this greatly.

Overall the G50 1.3 Comfort is a great entry-level choice for those who want a simple point-A-to-point-B MPV. It comes with the space, the versatility, and the power to boot. Its engine is strong and it feels like you are driving a diesel-powered car with its low-end torque, it's also fuel efficient in the city which is great as we suspect this is where the vehicle will stay for most of its use. It's a great model but just needs a bit of tweaking here and there to become a big hit, especially with its sub P1 million price point.