The Evolution of the Maxus Euniq 5: SAIC’s Early Electric MPV Pioneer

The Maxus Euniq 5 is one of SAIC Motor’s earliest fully electric multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), representing a key step in the company’s transition toward electrification. Introduced in 2019 and produced until approximately 2023, the Euniq 5 combined the practicality of a family-oriented MPV with emerging electric vehicle (EV) technology.

As an electric derivative of the gasoline-powered Maxus G50, the Euniq 5 helped establish SAIC’s presence in the electric MPV segment before being succeeded by newer models such as the MIFA 5. Over its lifecycle, it evolved through multiple battery upgrades, trim expansions, and even the addition of a plug-in hybrid variant.

This article explores the full evolution of the Maxus Euniq 5, including its production timeline, trim levels, engineering updates, and legacy.

Origins and Development

The Maxus Euniq 5 originated as the electric version of the Maxus G50, a compact MPV introduced by SAIC. It was first unveiled at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show, where it appeared under the earlier name “EG50” before being rebranded as Euniq 5.

The model was designed to:

Provide an affordable electric family vehicle
Serve fleet and ride-hailing markets
Expand SAIC’s global EV footprint

Production began in July 2019, marking the official start of the Euniq 5’s lifecycle.

2019 Model Year: Launch and Initial Lineup

Powertrain and Specifications

At launch, the Euniq 5 featured a relatively modest electric drivetrain:

Motor output: 85 kW (≈114 hp)
Torque: 250 Nm
Battery: 52.5 kWh
Range: ~350 km (CLTC)
Drive: Front-wheel drive

This setup reflected early-generation EV technology, prioritizing affordability over performance.

Dimensions and Layout

The Euniq 5 retained the MPV proportions of the G50:

Length: 4,825 mm
Width: 1,825 mm
Height: 1,778 mm
Wheelbase: 2,800 mm
Seating: 7 passengers

Its practical layout made it suitable for families and commercial users.

2019 Trim Levels

At launch, the Euniq 5 was offered in three main trims:

Comfort
Luxury
Flagship

Differences between trims focused on:

Interior materials
Infotainment features
Driver assistance systems

Even the base trim included essential EV features such as fast charging capability.

2020 Model Year: Expansion and Plug-in Hybrid Introduction

The 2020 model year marked a major expansion of the Euniq 5 lineup, both in terms of trims and powertrain diversity.

Upgraded Electric Version

The fully electric Euniq 5 received significant upgrades:

Battery capacity increased to 61 kWh
Range improved to ~420 km (CLTC)
Power increased to 130 kW (≈174 hp)

These improvements made the vehicle more competitive in the growing EV market.

Expanded Trim Levels (2020 EV)

The 2020 lineup became highly diversified, offering numerous trims and configurations:

Comfort
Elite
Deluxe
Flagship
Classic
LR (Long Range) variants
Modified and special editions
5-seat and 7-seat configurations

This wide range of options allowed customers to tailor the vehicle to specific needs.

Introduction of the Euniq 5 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

A major addition in May 2020 was the Euniq 5 Plug-in Hybrid.

Powertrain

1.3L turbocharged engine + electric motor
Battery: 13 kWh
Electric range: ~64 km
Fuel consumption: ~1.4 L/100 km

2020 PHEV Trim Levels

The plug-in hybrid variant was offered in:

Elite
Luxury
Premium

This marked the first time the Euniq 5 offered multiple electrification strategies (BEV and PHEV).

2021–2022 Model Years: Maturity and Long-Range Focus

The 2021–2022 period represented the peak of the Euniq 5’s development.

Major Battery Upgrade

The most significant change was the introduction of a 70 kWh battery, increasing range to:

~510 km (CLTC)

This upgrade significantly improved the vehicle’s competitiveness.

Powertrain Improvements

Motor output remained at 130 kW (174 hp)
Torque increased to 310 Nm
Faster charging (30–80% in ~0.6 hours)

2022 Trim Levels

The 2022 lineup was streamlined but still offered multiple trims:

Elite (5-seat and 6-seat)
Deluxe (5-seat and 6-seat)
Nordic Edition (5-seat and 6-seat)

The introduction of 5- and 6-seat layouts reflected growing demand for flexible configurations.

Feature Enhancements

Key improvements during this period included:

Updated infotainment systems
Enhanced driver assistance features
Improved interior materials

The Euniq 5 was increasingly positioned as a practical yet modern electric MPV.

2023: End of Production and Transition

By 2023, the Maxus Euniq 5 began to be phased out.

Replacement by MIFA 5

The model was effectively replaced by the Maxus MIFA 5, a newer electric MPV with:

Updated platform
Improved efficiency
More advanced technology

Final Role

At the end of its lifecycle, the Euniq 5 served as:

A budget-friendly electric MPV
A fleet and taxi vehicle
A transitional product in SAIC’s EV lineup

Design and Engineering Characteristics

Exterior Design

The Euniq 5 closely resembled the G50, with EV-specific elements:

Blue accents in the grille
Closed-off front design
Aerodynamic enhancements

Interior and Technology

The cabin emphasized practicality:

7-seat configuration (initially)
Flexible seating layouts
Digital infotainment system

Later models added:

Improved connectivity
Enhanced safety features

Driving Characteristics

The Euniq 5 was designed for:

Urban commuting
Family transport
Ride-hailing services

Its front-wheel-drive layout and modest performance prioritized efficiency and reliability.

Trim Evolution Summary

2019 (Launch)

Comfort
Luxury
Flagship

2020 (Expansion)

Comfort, Elite, Deluxe, Flagship
Classic and LR variants
Multiple seating configurations

2020 (PHEV)

Elite
Luxury
Premium

2021–2022 (Refinement)

Elite
Deluxe
Nordic Edition
5-seat and 6-seat variants

2023 (Final Year)

Simplified lineup before discontinuation

Market Position and Competitors

The Euniq 5 competed in the compact electric MPV segment against:

Nissan e-NV200
BYD e6

Strengths

Affordable pricing
Practical interior space
Early entry into EV MPV segment

Weaknesses

Modest performance (early models)
Limited global brand recognition
Rapid technological obsolescence

Production Timeline

2019: Launch (BEV)
2020: Major update and PHEV introduction
2021–2022: Long-range upgrades and peak development
2023: Discontinuation and replacement

Legacy and Brand Impact

The Maxus Euniq 5 played a critical role in SAIC’s electrification strategy:

One of the brand’s first electric MPVs
Introduced flexible electrification (BEV + PHEV)
Helped establish Maxus in global EV markets

Future Outlook

Although the Euniq 5 is no longer in production, its influence continues.

Transition to MIFA Platform

Its successor, the MIFA 5, builds on its foundation with:

Improved battery technology
Better range and performance
Modernized design

Electrification Trends

The Euniq 5 demonstrated the viability of:

Electric family MPVs
Fleet-oriented EVs
Affordable multi-seat electric vehicles

Long-Term Role

The Euniq 5 will likely be remembered as:

A pioneer in electric MPVs
A transitional model bridging early and modern EVs
A key step in SAIC’s global expansion

The Maxus Euniq 5 represents an important chapter in the evolution of electric vehicles. Produced from 2019 to 2023, it evolved from a modest early EV into a more capable and versatile MPV.

Over its lifecycle, it offered a wide range of trims:

2019: Comfort, Luxury, Flagship
2020: Expanded EV lineup and PHEV variants
2021–2022: Elite, Deluxe, Nordic editions
2023: Final simplified lineup

Its combination of practicality, affordability, and early adoption of electrification helped pave the way for newer models like the MIFA 5.

While it has been replaced by more advanced vehicles, the Euniq 5 remains a significant milestone in the development of electric MPVs and a testament to the rapid progress of automotive electrification.