In a recent review we introduced another in the growing list of new Chinese brands
to arrive in Australia. This time it was from the Guangzhou Automobile Group aka
GAC.
Although it has been around for more than 70 years and is currently the fifth largest
Chinese carmaker, GAC is largely unknown here it does have well-established joint
ventures with both Honda and Toyota vehicles where it builds vehicles for the
Chinese domestic market.
That previous review was of the GAC Emzoom, a compact SUV and the only
conventionally-powered model in the brand’s four-vehicle range.
At the top of the range is the GAC M8, a large plug-in hybrid people mover.
There are two slightly small/medium vehicles, the AION UT is a hatchback and the
AION V an SUV.
For starters, to avoid getting tongue-tied, the easiest way to say the name is to just
ignore the leading ‘A’ and just call it ‘ION’.
The company has ambitious plans for the Australian market that include future a
large SUV and dual-cab utility, both PHEVs
This week we’re reporting on the AION V which competes against other mid-size
electric SUVs such as the closely related Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra as well
as Kia EV3, MG S5, Leapmotor C10, BYD Atto 3 and the upcoming GWM Ora 5.
AION V comes in two grades, Premium and Luxury priced at $42,590 and $44,590
respectively before on-road costs.
Standard features in both variants include 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and cooled
front seats, panoramic glass roof, wireless smartphone charging, power tailgate,
14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
The $2000 surcharge for the Luxury grade adds leather seats with a massage
features, refrigeration added to the large central storage box
STYLING
We love the exterior appearance of the AION V. It does back to the traditional boxy
SUV shape rather than the coupe-like profile which is in vogue at the moment but
does so without making it look bland.
Rather, it’s beautifully moulded with a seamless finish that includes attractive, but
annoying, flush door handles – more on that later.
There’s piano black trim on the rear that looks fine when clean and polished but
needs constant attention at other times.
The short bonnet is flanked by twin split headlights above an active grille that opens
when needed to cool the battery and otherwise remains closed to maximise
aerodynamics.
Both variants run on eye-catching 19-inch alloy wheels below large bold wheel
arches.
There are six colour options: Arctic White, Galaxy Blue, Holographic Silver, Night
Shadow Black, Sea Fluorescent Gray and Wilderness Sand. Galaxy Blue is also
available with a white roof.
INTERIOR
There’s a real premium look and feel to the interior of the Aion V with soft-touch
materials.
It’s a Chinese vehicle, so it will come as no surprise that the dashboard is dominated
by a large 14.6-inch touchscreen and that there are no physical buttons or knobs.
Both front seats can be fully reclined.
Arguably, the AION V’s party-piece is an impressive 6.6-litre multi-purpose storage
space in the centre console that can also double as either a fridge or heater.
Temperature can be adjusted between minus-15 and 50 degrees and can stay active
when the vehicle is turned off.
Rear seat occupants get the sort of pampering that’s usually only offered to
chauffeur-driven vehicles. The doors open to almost 90-degrees for easy entry and
exit.
There is excellent leg and shoulder although the panoramic glass roof could
inconvenience extra-tall occupants.
The rear genuine leather seats are heated and ventilated and can be reclined up to
137 degrees.
The Luxury trim also gets a drop-down folding table for the lefthand side rear
passenger. It has a real solid feel and is large enough to cater for a large laptop.
Surprisingly, there’s only a single USB port in the rear, and it’s USB-A.
Rear passengers also get to adjust the ‘fridge’ through a digital control panel.
Powered boot opening is standard in both variants with 427 litres of space with the
rear seatbacks in place and 978 litres when they are folded. There’s extra space
below the floor for charging cables as well as for a space saver wheel, not standard
but available as a cost option.
Last – and it might just clinch the deal – front passengers in the AION V Luxury get
much larger illuminated sun visor vanity mirrors than those in the Premium.
SAFETY
AION V was tested by ANCAP before its release in November 2025 and received the
maximum five-star rating.
Standard features are the same in both variants and include dual front, side and
curtain airbags as well as in the front centre to protect both occupants. There’s also
adaptive cruise control, forward and rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert,
autonomous emergency, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, emergency lane
keeping, blind spot detection and traffic sign speed recognition.
Also, standard is enhanced Isofix child seat anchors, called i-Size, that add an extra
level of protection.
Parking is assisted by front and rear parking sensors and a surround view camera.
POWERTRAIN
Everything driving the Aion V is identical in both variants including a front-mounted
motor, outputs, battery capacity and driving range.
Outputs are 150 kW and 210 Nm.
The LFP battery has maximum capacity of 75.3 kWh. Overnight charging with an
11kW Wallbox can go from zero to 100% in around 8 hours.
A commercial DC fast charging unit proved 180 kW and is quoted at around 14
minutes from 10 to 80%.
Driving range is a claimed 510 kilometres under the WLTP testing system. Energy
consumption, using the same method is listed at 16.7 kWh per 100km.
INFOTAINMENT
All features are accessed through either the 14.6-inch central screen or 8.0-inch
digital instrument panel.
Android Auto and AppleCarplay are both wireless and there’s embedded satellite
navigation.
Sound is through a 9-speaker ADiGO system with an 8-inch subwoofer.
DRIVING
Even before you can get settled within the AOIN V there are a couple annoying
features. As mentioned earlier the door handles sit flush against the body and, while
there is keyless unlocking the handles don’t open out meaning that it basically needs
two hands to open the door, one to push on the edge of the handle, the other to then
open it.
We understand that this may be fixed in a future update.
The second problem is that there are no physical controls to adjust the side mirrors.
Instead, it can only be done through the touchscreen and rollers on either side of the
steering wheel. Fortunately, the settings are saved.
The location of the battery charging point at the front driver’s side certainly worked
for us and meant that we could plug it into a power point without the need for an
extension cord.
Although its power and torque numbers are fairly modest, they’re more than enough
for the typical urban and motorway conditions that owners are likely to require.
AION V is a capable city transporter with the smooth, steady acceleration that is the
norm in electric vehicles. It lacks the whiplash pick up of performance EVs but does
moves from zero to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds making it sharp enough for quick lane
changes when needed.
SUMMING UP
GAC AION V is a really versatile vehicle. It’s a spacious and comfortable family
transporter that’s equally at home in either urban or motorway conditions and it’s
large enough to make for an excellent long-distance cruiser.
The large, fast-charging 75kWh LFP battery provides a 500-plus km driving range
that should allow travel between East Coast capital cities with a single charging stop.
The optional space saver wheel would make sense on long trips.
The link with Toyota certainly adds credibility to what is effectively an unknown brand
in Australia. GAC has high hopes and has set a target of making the top 10 biggest
sellers.
Potential buyers will need to be patient as they scroll through the seemingly endless
controls stored within the touchscreen but by the end of our week-long test we had
grown to understand and appreciate its quality.
MODEL LINE-UP
GAC AION V Premium: $42,590
GAC AION V Luxury: $44,590
Note: These prices do not include dealer delivery or government charges. Contact a
GAC dealer for driveway prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (GAC AION V Premium)
POWERTRAIN:
Front wheel drive single motor electric
Maximum Power: 150 kW
Maximum Torque: 210 Nm
Single-speed automatic transmission
BATTERY:
Type: Lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
Capacity: 75.26 kWh
PERFORMANCE:
Driving range (WLTP): 510 km
Energy consumption (WLTP): 16.7 kWh per 100km
CHARGING:
AC Charging Power: 11kW
AC Charging Time: 0-100% in 8.5 hours
DC Fast Charging Power: 180 kW
DC Fast Charging Time: 10-80% in 24 minutes
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4605 mm
Width: 1854 mm
Height: 1686 mm
Wheelbase: 2775 mm
Kerb weight: 1880 kg
Turning circle: 11.2 metres
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Vehicle: Seven years, unlimited kilometres
Battery: Eight years, unlimited kilometres
RATINGS:
Looks: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 7.5/10
Practicality: 8
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 8.5/10
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