2023 LDV MIFA 9 price and specs

LDV’s new MIFA people mover is now launching in both petrol and electric forms, the latter of which is aimed primarily at corporate transport companies or hotels keen on running a greener fleet.

UPDATE, 12/12/2022 – The LDV MIFA 9 electric people mover has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating with a 2022 date stamp based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP. The rating doesn’t extend to the MIFA petrol models, which remain unrated.

The seven-seat MIFA 9 EV might not have the highest level of brand recognition – China’s LDV is best known for its cheap diesel vans and utes – but it’s an eye-catching shuttle brimming with features.

“… The all-new MIFA 9 is set to be the new benchmark for early adopters, SMEs and corporate transport businesses looking to reduce their environmental footprint,” claims LDV general manager Dinesh Chinnappa.

Pricing

There is no getting around it: just like LDV’s eDeliver 9 EV van and eT60 EV ute, the MIFA 9 is expensive, especially next to its internal-combustion equivalent. There are three spec levels.

MIFA 9 Mode: $106,000
MIFA 9 Executive: $117,000
MIFA 9 Luxe: $131,000

This makes each variant between $52,000 and $58,000 more expensive than an equivalent LDV MIFA petrol model in Mode, Executive and Luxe forms respectively.

The only competitor at this point in time is the more van-like Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer at $116,115.

Drivetrain

The MIFA 9 is powered by a 180kW and 350Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor driving the front wheels (front-wheel drive is standard), linked to Power, Normal and Eco drive settings.

It’s powered by the electricity stored in a 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering a claimed maximum WLTP-rated driving range of 430km to 440km (the more luxurious the grade you choose, the more weight there is, and the slight range reduction reflects this).

According to LDV an 11kW charge at an AC wallbox with Type 2 port will fill the battery in about 8.5 hours on a three-phase installation, with a single-phase time not listed.

A 120kW charge on a DC charger is claimed to take the MIFA 9 from 30 per cent charged to 80 per cent in about 36 minutes.

It has a rated towing capacity of just 1000kg, and the top speed is listed as 180km/h.

Key figures

Power: 180kW
Torque: 350Nm
Top speed: 180km/h
Range claim: 430-440km
Battery: 90kWh
Towing: 1000kg

Efficiency

The driving range is based on claimed electricity consumption of 21.3 to 21.8kWh per 100km.

Dimensions

The LDV MIFA 9 measures 5270mm long, 2000mm wide and 1840mm tall on a 3200mm wheelbase, with 140mm of ground clearance and a 12.7m turning circle.

It has 466L of luggage space with the second and third rows in use. With the third row not in use this increases to 1702L, and with the middle row also folded this increases to 2017L.

Tare weight is 2310kg on the Mode, 2410kg on the Executive and 2535kg on the Luxe – which means each is between 270kg and 305kg heavier than the equivalent petrol.

Payloads vary from 525kg (Luxe) to 655kg (Mode) – meaning there’s no option to shuttle five or more heavy adults in the top grade.

The suspension layout comprises MacPherson struts at the front and an independent multi-link setup at the rear. It has disc brakes all round (plus regenerative braking) and an electric power steering system.

Servicing and warranty

While the MIFA petrol now has a seven-year warranty, for some reason the MIFA 9’s warranty is five years or 200,000km (whichever comes first), with roadside assist.

However the battery gets an eight-year/200,000km battery warranty.

Servicing intervals are long: every two years or 30,000km.

Safety

The LDV MIFA 9 earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating with a 2022 date stamp based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP. The five-star safety rating doesn’t cover the MIFA petrol models though, which remain unrated.

It received 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 73 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 90 per cent for safety assist.

The LDV MIFA 9 comes standard with the following safety equipment: