SAIC MAXUS eTerron 9

Model Overview

The SAIC MAXUS eTerron 9 is a mid-to-large fully electric 4WD pick-up truck introduced by SAIC Motor's MAXUS brand, built on the Interstellar GST (Global Shared Technology) platform. Making its global debut at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany, in September 2024, the vehicle retains the same nameplate locally and abroad, marking it as China's first mid-to-large homegrown all-electric pick-up truck to be exported globally. It measures 5,500 mm in length, 1,997 mm in width, and 1,860–1,874 mm in height, with a 3,300 mm wheelbase in a 5-seater double-cab configuration. Positioned in the premium lifestyle EV pick-up segment, the eTerron 9 targets outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts and 4WD off-road drivers. It highlights potent performance, a large-capacity battery, air suspension, and 5-star safety as key selling points, taking on traditional ICE workhorses like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, as well as future EV contenders such as Rivian in the electric era.

Design Language

The eTerron 9 embraces the all-new "New Electrified Mecha" design language, characterized by a bold, boxy, and rugged aesthetic. Up front, it features a fully sealed front grille where the prominent "MAXUS" lettering is framed by a horizontal LED light strip and LED headlamps, flanked by vertical lighting units with C-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs), while the full-width light bar further elevates road presence. The side profile delivers muscularity through squared-off cues—chunky rectangular wheel arches, black side steps, and flush pop-out door handles contribute to a cohesive look, complemented by 20-inch aero-optimised two-tone alloy wheels that balance visual flair with efficiency. At the rear, large gold MAXUS badging mirrors the front styling, while a rugged black bumper and protective wheel arch cladding enhance its tough stance. Four exterior paint options are available: yellow, black, grey, and white.

Inside, the cabin features a two-tone theme accented with champagne gold trims, bringing build quality and ambiance on par with luxury SUVs. The dashboard is headlined by a dual 12.3-inch integrated screen setup (full digital instrument cluster + central infotainment touchscreen) and a floating centre console, infusing a passenger-car-like high-tech vibe into the pick-up cabin. There are 20 storage compartments dotted throughout the interior, alongside a practical lower tray beneath the floating centre armrest console. An electric-powered front boot (frunk) comes standard across the range, offering 236 L of cargo volume in place of a conventional engine bay—ample space to stow outdoor gear or charging cables, maximizing the packaging perks of an EV platform. Furthermore, both front seats can be folded completely flat forward to join the folded rear seatbacks, creating a near-flat interior space of up to 1,700 mm for camping trips or rest stops.

Powertrain & Performance

The eTerron 9 is powered by a dual-motor 4WD setup with front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors. The front motor produces 125 kW (approx. 170 PS) and 250 Nm of torque, while the rear unit delivers 200 kW (approx. 272 PS) and 450 Nm of torque, generating a combined system output of 325 kW (approx. 436–442 PS) and 700 Nm of torque. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, with top speed capped at 190 km/h. Energy is supplied by a 102.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, providing a WLTP combined pure electric range of 430 km, which extends up to 566 km in the WLTP city cycle. Combined energy consumption is rated at approximately 26.7 kWh/100 km. For charging, it supports DC fast charging at up to 115 kW, juicing the battery from 20% to 80% state of charge (SoC) in around 40–42 minutes; standard 11 kW AC charging takes about 12 hours from 5% to 100%. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power discharge is standard across the lineup, offering both 2.2 kW and 6.6 kW power socket outputs. On the capability front, the eTerron 9 boasts a maximum braked towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes and a payload capacity of 575–620 kg, easily catering to heavy-duty towing and outdoor camping duties.

Chassis & Handling

Underneath, the eTerron 9 rides on front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension layout, an exceptionally high-spec setup for a pick-up truck. An electric 4WD system with intelligent torque vectoring comes standard, continuously optimizing power split between the front and rear axles across more than 400 driving scenarios. The Premium variant exclusively gains a class-first adaptive air suspension that automatically tailors ride height according to drive modes—lowering at motorway speeds to reduce drag and improve range, raising in rough off-road terrain for better ground clearance, and kneeling at the rear to ease cargo loading and unloading. Selectable drive modes include Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Off-Road, Towing, and Custom, with all-terrain screens providing real-time off-road data such as pitch, roll angle, compass heading, and altitude. A 540° panoramic camera with a "transparent chassis" view is standard, projecting underbody obstacles onto the infotainment screen to significantly enhance trail visibility and safety. Kerb weight sits around 2,880 kg, with a minimum turning radius of 6.65 m. In addition, a one-touch power tailgate and an electrically retractable rear cabin bulkhead window (allowing cargo lengths of up to 2,400 mm to slide through) offer unmatched versatility for hauling lifestyle and work equipment.

Cabin & Equipment

The eTerron 9 is equipped as standard with twin 12.3-inch displays (a full digital instrument cluster and a central infotainment touchscreen) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Stepping up to the range-topping Premium variant adds an 8-speaker JBL premium sound system, a panoramic glass roof with an electric sunblind, genuine Nappa leather upholstery (leatherette on Luxury), a wireless smartphone charging pad, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-con vents, a powered tailgate, front-door keyless entry, a digital streaming rear-view mirror, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat complete with lumbar support, ventilation, and massage functions. Both front seats come with heating and fold-flat capabilities, while the Premium variant adds electric adjustment and memory settings for the front passenger seat as well. The rear quarters feature dedicated air-con vents and USB charging ports. The rear cargo bed measures 1,561 × 1,550 × 535 mm, complemented by foldable rear seats to balance daily commuting practicality and heavy gear-hauling needs.

Safety & Advanced Driver Assistance

On the passive safety front, the eTerron 9 employs a semi-monocoque body structure that blends the strengths of unibody and body-on-frame architectures, with 73% of the cabin and body shell formed from ultra-high-strength steel to ensure superior passenger cell integrity. It is fitted with seven airbags as standard (dual front airbags, front side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags) alongside a driver's knee airbag. The traction battery pack is engineered to meet strict crash power shut-off standards and boasts an IP67 dust and water resistance rating. Its Level 2+ Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite includes Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB, featuring pedestrian and cyclist detection), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Door Open Warning (DOW), Driver Fatigue Monitoring, Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), a 360° surround-view monitor with transparent chassis display, and Intelligent High Beam Control (IHC).

The eTerron 9 holds the distinction of being Europe's first all-electric pick-up truck to secure a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, earning top scores across adult and child occupant protection, vulnerable road user safety, and safety assist assessments, officially cementing its position as the safest vehicle in its class in 2025.

Market Performance & Reception

The eTerron 9 made its rollout across key developed markets between late 2024 and 2025, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and South Africa. In Europe, it starts from a net price of RM305,000 (€62,990) in Germany, positioned above the commercial-oriented T90 EV as a more premium offering, with a longer-range 605 km variant in the pipeline. In Hong Kong, the tax-exempt indicative pricing starts from RM228,000 (HK$388,000) for the Luxury variant and RM240,000 (HK$408,000) for the Premium variant (benefiting from full commercial vehicle First Registration Tax waiver), structured across two trim levels: Luxury and Premium. Furthermore, preview drives and launch plans are underway in right-hand-drive markets including Malaysia, South Africa, and the Philippines.

Industry reception has broadly praised the vehicle for its strategic significance and technological prowess as "China's first mid-to-large all-electric export pick-up." Test-drive impressions highlight the air suspension's plush highway ride and body control, class-leading 5.8-second 0–100 km/h acceleration, and the impressive everyday practicality of its 20 in-cabin storage spots alongside the 236 L frunk. Minor critiques point out that its nearly 3-tonne kerb weight generates noticeable inertia during hard cornering, front-wheel traction can be momentary challenged under hard acceleration in the wet, and traditional rear leaf-spring setups remain more robust for extreme payload tasks than air springs. Nevertheless, with its 5-star crash safety, commanding electric power, air-suspended comfort, and global appeal, the eTerron 9 stands as the flagship statement of SAIC MAXUS's international EV pick-up offensive.