Reviews - LDV

Overall Rating

The Maxus is LDV's rival in the panel van market alongside the Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato. Available in two wheelbases and three roof heights LDV have put the Maxus through its paces with extensive crash testing and durability as well as noise, vibrations and harshness reduction programmes.

• Competitive pricing
• Refined engine
• Cheap to run

• Still not on a level with competitors
• Below par engine

LDV's Maxus is available in two wheelbases and three roof heights in the panel van range - standard, high and extra high. The rear doors matching the roof heights to maximise access to the cargo area. The Maxus features a VM 2.5 litre common rail 16-valve turbo diesel engine. It's a large panel van offered in short and long wheelbase form with three gross vehicle weights of 2.8, 3.2 and 3.5 tonnes. Added to the additional rood heights which van comes in all shapes and sizes. The various body style options give rise to load volumes ranging between 7m3 and 11.4m3 with the available payload falling within a 917kg to 1,616kg span. The Maxus offers excellent fuel economy ahead of its competitors. The engine is available in two power outputs at launch, with a third joining the range in the future. Noise, vibration and harshness reduction programmes were also put in place at the very beginning of the design process, ensuring that the LDV Maxus is engineered to be quiet. The engine refinements have paid off as this van has power to get off the mark and motors well. Front wheel drive gives Maxus the driving experience familiar to a generation raised on front wheel drive cars. Benefits include the lower loading height through the back and side doors. The side-hinged doors at the rear stretch right up to the vehicles roofline for the biggest possible loading access. One of LDV's priorities has been passenger safety and the body of the van has been constructed to provide a rigid passenger safety cell. Further safety systems include Bosch ABS 8 braking systems incorporating electronic brake distribution and Power assisted steering and driver's airbag as standard. Inside the gear levers are mounted on the dashboard, the stick sprouts from the centre console leaving the floor space for clear. The Maxus has an insurance group rating of 10 for the 2.8 tonne model and 12 for the 3.2 and 3.5 tonne models.

Worth a look at as the prices are cheaper than their competitors and the investment from LDV has some great refinements.