“I’M TORN”: Popular YouTube cabbie weighs up iconic legacy taxis against new Ford MAXiCab after road tests
- Perry Richardson
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Tom Hutley, known online as Tom the Taxi Driver, shared his initial reaction after driving the Ford MAXiCab taxi describing a mixed response as he became the latest driver to compare it against established models such as the LEVC TX.
“Today I drove the Ford MaxiCab. I’m torn,” Hutley said, reflecting a sentiment likely shared by some other drivers in the trade balancing familiarity with evolving vehicle design requirements.
Hutley highlighted the enduring ‘iconic’ appeal of the TX, widely regarded as the benchmark for purpose-built taxis in many UK cities. “My TXE is iconic. The turning circle is legendary. I love driving it,” he said, referencing one of the defining characteristics required for licensing in London which has strict manoeuvrability standards.
However, the MAXiCab appears to be making an impression in other areas, particularly in terms of driving comfort and passenger experience. “But the MaxiCab? Beautiful drive. For the driver and the passenger,” Hutley added.
Latest industry feedback highlights shift in driver experience as new multi-powertrain vehicle enters UK taxi market
The MAXiCab, developed by Cab Direct and based on the Ford E-Transit platform, represents a different approach to taxi design compared to other black cabs on the UK market. It offers operators a choice of three powertrains, including a 2.0-litre Euro 6.2 diesel, a 2.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid with an electric-only range of around 32 miles, and a fully electric variant capable of up to 202 miles on a single charge.
From a regulatory perspective, the vehicle has secured GB Type Approval as a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, meeting a core requirement for licensing authorities across much of the UK. Its multi-seat configuration is designed to accommodate both standard passengers and wheelchair users, aligning with increasing accessibility expectations placed on the sector.
Cab Direct has already obtained licensing approvals for the MAXiCab in several major locations including Manchester, Edinburgh, Chelmsford, Southampton and Brighton. This broad geographic acceptance signals a level of regulatory confidence in the vehicle’s compliance outside the capital.
However, the absence of approval in London highlights a continuing difference in vehicle standards that creates a heated and long running debate amongst the London taxi community. The MAXiCab does not meet the capital’s strict turning circle requirement, which has historically shaped the design of purpose-built taxis such as the TX. This limitation is currently stopping its uptake in one of the UK’s largest taxi markets, while allowing expansion elsewhere.
The company has been actively promoting the vehicle through regional roadshows, giving drivers the opportunity to test it first-hand and assess its suitability for daily operations.
“Going much deeper on this. Still processing,” Hutley said, indicating that a full assessment will arrive later, possibly in the form of a video where Hutley has amassed a huge industry following.
For licensing authorities and drivers, the emergence of vehicles like the MAXiCab reflects broader changes in the taxi market, where electrification, accessibility and platform flexibility are becoming central considerations. At the same time, legacy design features such as tight turning circles continue to shape regulatory frameworks in key cities.
