The Livan X3 PRO is a compact petrol SUV under Livan Auto, officially launched on 13 May 2022 as a renamed and rebadged version of the Maple X3 PRO. Positioned for urban commuting and young families, it places a strong emphasis on value-for-money and pragmatism, targeting young first-time buyers, daily commuters, and practical consumers seeking low running costs. The Livan X3 PRO is marketed primarily by Livan Auto—a joint venture between Geely Auto and Lifan Technology—and showcased across Maple Auto's offline network (including direct-sales outlets in Chongqing and Chengdu), reflecting the brand's product roadmap following the corporate consolidation.
Dimension-wise, the Livan X3 PRO measures 4005mm × 1760mm × 1575mm in length, width, and height, with a 2480mm wheelbase and a minimum ground clearance of 185mm. Featuring a five-door, five-seater SUV configuration, it offers a standard boot capacity of 400L, which expands further when folding down the rear bench seat. Kerb weight varies across powertrains, coming in at 1157kg for the manual variant and 1190kg for the CVT version.
In terms of pricing, the vehicle is offered in 2022 and 2024 model-year iterations. At launch, the 2022 model was priced from RM49,900 to RM67,900. The 2024 update streamlined the line-up by dropping the entry-level "Manual Xiaoshu" and retaining the "Manual Xiaomeng" and "CVT Xiaosa" variants, priced between RM55,900 and RM67,900. In addition, a range-topping "CVT Xiaoxin" variant was rolled out in April 2024 with a price tag of RM89,900.
The exterior of the Livan X3 PRO adopts the signature Livan family design language. Up front, it sports a shield-shaped front grille of moderate proportions, accented with chrome trim that seamlessly links to the headlamps on either side. The lower trapezoidal grille integrates neatly with the fog lamp housings and lower bumper cladding, enhancing the front visual stance. The headlamp clusters utilise halogen units, a standard specification for vehicles in this price bracket. At the rear, it features split, smoked tail lamps, complemented by substantial black trim and diffuser-style elements on the rear bumper for a sportier aesthetic. The side profile adopts a dynamic, forward-raked stance, paired with an ascending character line and multi-spoke alloy wheels to deliver an energetic silhouette.
Inside, the X3 PRO features a tri-tone cabin in black, blue, and orange, using vibrant blue and orange highlights over a black base to enhance visual depth and youthfulness. The dashboard adopts a horizontal, tiered layout with continuous air-conditioning vents, visually broadening cabin width. It is fitted with a three-spoke, flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel wrapped in durable urethane. The seats feature an integrated, one-piece design upholstered in leatherette, with manual slide and recline adjustments for the front occupants, and a single-piece folding rear seat bench.
Under the bonnet, the entire Livan X3 PRO range is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine (engine code JLC-4G15C) featuring a transverse layout and multi-point fuel injection (MPI), running on RON 92 petrol and compliant with China 6 emission standards. Output-wise, the CVT variant produces a maximum power of 83kW (approx. 113hp) and a peak torque of 143N·m, with peak power arriving at 5,600 rpm and torque peaking between 4,400 and 4,800 rpm. The manual variant is rated at 83kW (with some specifications citing 85kW, approx. 116hp).
Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a CVT (with 9 simulated virtual ratios). All variants come in a front-engine, front-wheel drive (FWD) layout. Top speed is rated at 170km/h for the manual version and 160km/h for the CVT. On the WLTC test cycle, combined fuel consumption ranges between 6.8 and 7.33L/100km for the CVT, with the manual variant returning even better fuel economy. The vehicle comes backed by a four-year or 100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
The Livan X3 PRO is built on a monocoque chassis structure. The suspension setup consists of front MacPherson struts paired with a rear torsion beam. This is a standard setup widely utilised in the entry-level subcompact SUV segment; the front MacPherson struts effectively absorb minor road imperfections, while the rear torsion beam maximises rear cabin space and keeps production costs competitive. The suspension is tuned primarily for comfort, delivering acceptable ride refinement on urban tarmac, though sharp bumps and speed humps transmit noticeable feedback into the cabin via the rear axle.
Steering is handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, delivering a light steering effort during low-speed parking manoeuvres for effortless everyday driving. Braking is managed by ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. Wheel and tyre sizes vary by variant, with higher-spec trims fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels. A minimum ground clearance of 185mm is commendable for a subcompact crossover, offering decent clearance over uneven surfaces and unpaved roads.
The interior of the Livan X3 PRO strikes a balance between everyday practicality and essential connectivity. The dashboard is fitted as standard with an 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment display supporting Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, smartphone screen mirroring, and voice control, though certain trims lack telematics and over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities. The 2024 CVT Xiaosa and subsequent higher-spec grades upgrade to a 10.25-inch floating central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/HiCar compatibility, boasting a tested voice recognition response time of under 0.8 seconds. The driver gets a conventional analogue instrument cluster displaying essential trip data, while physical buttons are retained beneath the centre screen for intuitive tactile operation on the move.
In terms of comfort and convenience, the 2024 line-up gained several equipment upgrades over the 2022 model, including an electric sunroof, smart keyless remote, driver-side keyless entry, push-start button, integrated dashcam, a 6-speaker audio system (up from 2–4 speakers), automatic headlights, all-door one-touch power windows, and a rear wiper. The seats are upholstered in leatherette. The climate control remains a manual air conditioning system.
Safety-wise, the Livan X3 PRO covers the essentials for an entry-level segment vehicle. The bodyshell utilises a high-rigidity safety cage construction incorporating high-strength steel in critical load-bearing areas. For passive safety, dual front airbags (driver and front passenger) are standard across the range (100% fitment rate), though front side and curtain airbags are omitted. Active safety equipment standard across the board includes Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), and Traction Control System (TCS), with higher trims adding Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). Other standard items include a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ISOFIX child seat anchors, and seatbelt reminders. A reverse camera and rear parking sensors are standard across all variants, with cruise control added on higher-spec grades.
Regarding advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the 2024 flagship CVT Xiaoxin is equipped with a Level 2 driver assist suite, incorporating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and related features, offering superior active safety compared to most rivals in its price bracket. Lower and mid-tier variants lack advanced driver aids like ACC and Lane Keep Assist, remaining at Level 0 to Level 1 driver assistance. The model has not been assessed by third-party crash test programmes such as C-NCAP and lacks an official crash safety rating, with safety compliance verified under national statutory standards.
Market reception for the Livan X3 PRO has seen a clear downward trend. At launch, the vehicle drew significant interest in the entry-level petrol compact SUV market courtesy of its accessible RM49,900 starting price and decent specifications. However, as of 2026, the X3 PRO has entered a run-out or inventory clearance phase across most domestic dealerships. Sales metrics indicate that its 90-day model popularity index stood at just 3545, trailing noticeably behind its chief rival, the Tiggo 3x (7458). Taking regional dealerships as an example, dealer clearing prices for the 2024 1.5L CVT Xiaosa fell to as low as RM47,900, representing an approximate 30% markdown from the official recommended retail price of RM67,900. While the X3 PRO recorded modest export numbers in 2022 and 2023—primarily bound for emerging markets in Southeast Asia and South America—neither Livan nor Maple has established an official, large-scale presence in developed markets such as Europe.
In terms of owner feedback, the X3 PRO is praised for its wallet-friendly pricing, compact footprint, fuss-free parking, standard reverse camera and sensors, and decent fuel economy. Its light steering, manageable dimensions, and user-friendly CVT gearbox make it particularly appealing to novice drivers. On the flip side, criticisms centre on modest engine performance from the 1.5L naturally aspirated unit, extensive hard plastics in the cabin, mediocre NVH insulation, and compromised handling stability on variants lacking ESP. Compared against its direct rival, the Tiggo 3x, the X3 PRO loses out in overall length (4005mm vs 4200mm) and wheelbase (2480mm vs 2555mm), though it counters with a lower purchase price.
From a broader product perspective, the Livan X3 PRO represents a budget-friendly petrol SUV born out of Livan Auto taking over Maple Auto's vehicle portfolio and consolidating resources from Geely and Lifan. With its entry threshold starting from RM49,900, compact crossover dimensions, 1.5L + CVT powertrain, and essential safety and convenience features, it served as an honest, no-frills runabout for budget-conscious car buyers in China. However, amidst the rapid market-wide shift towards new energy vehicles (NEVs), the addressable market for entry-level petrol compact SUVs like the X3 PRO is being aggressively cannibalised by A00- and A0-segment battery electric vehicles (EVs). Its relatively brief commercial lifecycle and limited global footprint underscore the structural headwinds confronting budget Chinese internal combustion engine (ICE) models in an evolving automotive landscape.
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