This Heavy-Duty Chinese Overland RV Has a Two-Story Interior You Must See To Believe

Ladies and gentlemen and lovers of all things wild, before us, is the one and only Mt. Everest overlanding machine from Saic-Maxus, the one and the same responsible for some of China's most revered vehicles. Furthermore, Saic has a history of working with GM and even VW, among others, so they clearly mean business.

Now, this isn't the first time that I shed light on Saic-Maxus and their camper and overlander branch of business. A few weeks ago, I encountered the Explorer Star, a truck camper built from head to toe by this Chinese crew; I've added a few images in the gallery that showcase it as well.

As for the Everest, there's really no denying where this thing gets its name; once parked, it expands vertically, towering over every other mobile habitat that I've seen over the past few years while writing for autoevolution. That's also one of the features that sets this unit aside from others on the market, so allow me to start there.

Overall, we don't have a floorplan for the interior of the Everest, so it's a tad difficult to know what's going on in that tower. However, the are a few images on the manufacturer's website and phrases used to hint at the layout and level of luxury we're to expect, and might I say, it's comparable to a luxury airliner's first-class accommodations. Even Saic-Maxus is calling it the "pinnacle of sensory luxury," and I completely agree.

According to the spec sheet, this puppy has independent seats, a 50-inch projection screen, four-point audio, integrated floor heating, and a three-person modular sofa and a double bed, all on the second floor. It's also this upper level that houses features such as the galley but nothing about the bathroom; that must be at ground level, and it makes sense as to why.

Picture coming back from the dirtiest outdoor adventure you've had this year. The last thing you want is to drag dirt, dust, and grime into a home that looks like it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, "it makes sense" to include a bathroom at ground level to clean off and discard any tampered clothing. Again, this isn't specified on the manufacturer's website, but it is the logical move; maybe there are two bathrooms.

What we know is that this beast is prepared with quite a few features to ensure you make it to your destination, no matter the terrain. Once you do, you'll live it up in utter comfort. Features like 604 Ah of battery power, a 3.5 kW generator, a water filtration system, and 300 liters (79 gals) of fresh water make all this possible. As for solar panels, there's no mention, but Saic-Maxus does say that Mt. Everest is open to "deep customization."

Now, part two of any overlander's story is the vehicle itself. After all, these things need to be built like tanks to trudge across foreign landscapes. While we don't know much about the body of the Everest, Saic-Maxus does mention that a Saic Corso C9 six-cylinder diesel engine is the powerhouse behind this magic. It can spit out a peak of 243 kW (326 hp) and a whopping 1,400 Nm (1,033 lb-ft) of torque, all manipulated via an Allison 3200 6AT gearbox. Oh, permanent AWD is also the case here and so are three differential locks. But, the real takeaway seems to be the 1,000 km (621 mi) range with an optional 600 L (159 gals) fuel tank.

Beyond that, countless features and systems ensure adequate tire pressure and water levels, that the engine and battery bays aren't overheating or having any troubles, and that if, for some reason, life throws something unexpected your way, driver assistance features are plentiful, so drive on with no fear.

The question is just how much one of these babies costs. Well, according to Saic-Maxus, these babies start at no less than $397K, so quite a bit if you ask me. But then again, is it? There are countless other overlanders that sell for double, even triple this price.

The real catch is getting close enough to touch your future unit, and since Saic-Maxus is cranking these babies out of China, you'll have to fly over and sign the paperwork. After that, you have to figure out how to get it back home. That's sure to cost you a pretty penny in shipping fees.

Then again, you're already in China; why not head toward Europe's Atlantic Coast and see the sights along the way? Toward China's Eastern Seaboard works as well. The idea is that if you already have an off-grid and boundless vehicle in your hands, why not actually use it for what it was built for? I promise to try and get ahold of Saic-Maxus to take a step or two inside Mt. Everest.