SAIC MAXUS T90 Motorhome

Model Overview

The SAIC MAXUS T90 Motorhome is the brand’s first-ever pick-up-based motorhome, officially badged as the "Explorer T90". Built upon the dedicated "SAIC Niu" motorhome chassis, the model officially debuted on 2 March 2022. It was initially introduced with three exterior paint schemes—Moonlight White, Off-road Green, and an Armoured Explosion-proof Paint Off-road Green—with indicative pre-sale prices ranging from RM398,800 to RM428,800. In July 2023, the line-up expanded with the Explorer Star H Zongheng Edition and Star H Pop-up Roof Edition, priced at RM398,800 and RM418,800 respectively. Positioned as a light off-road pick-up camper, the vehicle is tailored for versatile lifestyles blending serious overland touring with camping comfort.

Design Language

Embodying a "heavy-duty functional aesthetic", the Explorer T90 sports a sharp, multi-faceted angular design language with a distinct cyberpunk mecha-inspired flair. Up front, it features a bespoke factory-fitted blacked-out radiator grille and wheel package, complemented by dark cladding that wraps seamlessly from the nose around to the rear bumper and tail lamps. Dimension-wise, it measures 5,995 mm in length, 2,250–2,330 mm in width, and 2,800–2,910 mm in height, riding on a 3,470 mm wheelbase. Off-road credentials include an approach angle of 28°, a departure angle of 27°, and a minimum ground clearance of 220 mm. It comes standard with BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres wrapped around 8-spoke Y-pattern alloy rims. Over at the rear, an external utility locker provides dedicated storage for jerrycans, a collapsible ladder, and other overland recovery gear.

Inside, the Explorer T90 features a harmoniously coordinated interior palette dominated by muted Cloud Mist Green and accented with pure white highlights for a contemporary, upscale ambience. The living quarters blend clean, rugged geometric lines with warm ambient lighting. Up front, the cockpit is highlighted by an integrated dual-screen setup comprising a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch HD infotainment touchscreen.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the hood sits the "China Heart" award-winning SAIC π 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. The oil-burner pushes out 160 kW (218 PS) and a peak torque of 500 Nm. Power is channelled through a ZF 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. Top speed is rated at 180 km/h. Fuel is drawn from an 80-litre fuel tank. The vehicle also boasts a certified towing capacity of 3 tonnes. Drivers can toggle across four drive modes—2H, 4H, Auto, and 4L—with the 4L low-range mode multiplying wheel torque by up to 2.48 times.

Chassis and Handling

Underpinning the Explorer T90 is a robust ladder-frame body-on-frame chassis. It rides on front independent double wishbones with coil springs, paired with a heavy-duty, progressive leaf-spring live axle at the rear. The rear track has been widened to 1,740 mm for enhanced high-speed and cornering stability. It adopts a front-engine four-wheel-drive layout backed by a BorgWarner TOD intelligent on-demand all-terrain 4WD system and a rear differential lock. Steering is managed by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear solid disc brakes. It rolls on 265/60 R18 tyres.

Notably, the camper employs a flexible soft-mount connection between the driver's cab and the living pod—a rare design feature in light domestic pick-up campers, typically reserved for heavy-duty overland expedition rigs. This design isolates body flex and prevents stress cracks to the camper shell and interior cabinetry when negotiating axle-twisting terrain and deep ruts. The vehicle effortlessly tackles a 100% (45°) gradient, delivering class-topping all-terrain capability among pick-up campers.

Living Quarters and Equipment

The Explorer T90 is certified as a 4-seater with a 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight (GVW) and a kerb weight kept under 3,000 kg, making it fully compliant with standard passenger car driving licence (Class C / Blue Plate) regulations. The layout features a dual-row dinette booth and a rear longitudinal bed; combined with the over-cab double berth, it comfortably sleeps 4 adults. The booth seating backrests can also recline by up to 20° for relaxed lounging.

The infotainment system runs on the next-gen Banma Zhixing VENUS OS, featuring integrated Alipay mini-programmes for seamless mobile payments and remote vehicle telematics alongside responsive natural voice recognition. Premium options include a 60-inch roll-down projection screen and outdoor-grade waterproof speakers. Exterior lifestyle amenities include an extendable awning, slide-out cassette gas stove, mini cargo compartment, 220V external mains hook-up, and 12V auxiliary sockets. Flagship variants can be specified with camper-specific solutions such as the Height Limit Collision (HLC) warning system and a three-channel streaming digital rear-view mirror.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the Explorer T90 comes standard with dual front airbags and front side airbags. Active safety systems include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC/ESP). Parking and manoeuvring are aided by a 360-degree surround-view camera system and front and rear parking sensors. Higher-spec variants add an ADAS suite encompassing all-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Integrated Cruise Control (ICC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Driver Monitoring System (DMS), and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). A "transparent chassis" underfloor view is also standard equipment.

Market Performance and Reception

SAIC MAXUS is China’s first OEM to surpass the 10,000-unit milestone in factory-built motorhome sales. As its flagship pick-up camper, the Explorer T90 garnered strong market interest thanks to its factory-engineered build quality and segment-leading diesel output. Compared to rivals like the Qixing MAXUS T90 Pop-up Camper, the Explorer T90 is priced around RM40,000 lower while offering higher torque outputs and a more comprehensive ADAS suite.

Owner reviews generally praise its practical interior packaging, punchy 2.0T bi-turbo diesel engine, and dependable 4WD off-road capabilities. On the flip side, common user criticisms include the lack of a walk-through crawlway between the cab and the living pod due to the flexible chassis joint; the absence of an over-cab skylight, which makes the upper berth feel slightly enclosed; and cabin storage that could be better organised. Some owners have also noted isolated quality niggles, such as differential gear whine, camper shell surface blemishes, and intermittent engine power loss. Overall, the Explorer T90 successfully carves out a compelling niche in the off-road pick-up camper segment on the back of its factory build quality, rugged styling, torquey bi-turbo diesel mill, and capable 4WD setup.