GAC Aion V Lux review: distinctly different

The small/medium electric SUV market is awash with contenders, particularly from Chinese manufacturers, creating what can sometimes feel like a tsunami of sameness, especially given the seemingly endless arrival of new brands, all jostling for space in the segment.

Amid all this noise and clutter (that somehow all feels, sounds and drives the same) lands the GAC Aion V, a – you guessed it – all-electric medium SUV. But the Aion V is one of the new breed of Chinese SUVs that are challenging the status quo somewhat, by not being cookie cutter clones of all the other electric SUVs.

Like the slighty smaller Jaecoo J5 that has rocketed up the local EV sales charts recently, the Aion V avoids the generic, almost anonymous styling of other competitors in the segment and is offered in a range of pleasantly considered earthy tones, lending it a distinctive, yet refined look.

SUV While GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) might be a new name to many Kiwis, the company has been a major player in the global automotive scene for years, and the Aion V is the its all-electric spearhead diving, as it does, right into the most competitive segment in New Zealand.

The Aion V is available locally in two forms: the standard Aion V at $49,990 and the top-spec Aion V Lux we test here at $51,990. Both are powered by the same electric powertrain that consists of a 75kWh battery and a single 150kW/210Nm electric motor driving the front wheels and offer a claimed WLTP range of up to 510km, 180kW DC fast charging, and a five-star ANCAP rating.

On the outside: what are the GAC Aion V Lux’s main design features?

In a segment where it’s becoming possible to confuse which electric SUV you’ve actually driven, the GAC Aion V is a refreshing standout. It genuinely looks different. It sports a stylish, somewhat chunky aesthetic that leans more towards a crossover than a traditional, upright SUV.

Both versions of their Aion V sit on 19-inch alloy wheels that nicely give it a confident and well-proportioned stance, while the chunky lower body cladding helps it avoid the slab-sided look a lot of EVs have due to the height of the batteries – it’s a clever visual trick that works well.

Those sides are quite flat, but this is cleverly offset by both that smart lower body cladding and the fact that pretty much all of the side character lines are set around the guards, with subtle curves that just work really, really well.

Overall, the Aion V is a handsome little thing, managing to avoid sinking into that overwhelming sea of generic EV design. It is distinctive without being weird, and that’s a difficult balance to strike.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what’s the GAC Aion V Lux’s cabin like?

Step inside, and things are a bit more generic, with some familiar touchstones from the wider segment, but with enough thoughtful, well designed cues and features to set it apart.

The Aion V feels quick enough, with plenty of punch in the mid-range for when you need to make a move, but the truly impressive characteristic is its ride quality.

You’re greeted by a large 14.6-inch central touchscreen, a small digital display for the driver, a wireless phone charging tray, and a distinct lack of physical buttons – all standard fare for a modern mid-size electric SUV.

However, there’s a palpable sense of style here – the layout is clean and straight-lined, reminiscent of a BYD but without the swoopy, organic curves – but what truly elevates the cabin is the exceptional quality.

It feels very, very BYD-ish in its fit and finish, which is high praise, and everything you touch, from the lovely – and genuine in the Lux model – leather seats to the various trims, is either incredibly soft or feels like actual, solid metal. The whole interior has a genuinely high quality feel that is remarkable given its price point.

The interior is also deceptively spacious; what looks like a relatively compact vehicle from the outside boasts an enormous amount of rear legroom due to the rear seats being located further back in the car than most competitors. This does come with a slight boot space penalty, however, although the Aion V still boasts a more-than-decent 427-litre boot. Overall, it’s a competently thought-out and impressively high-quality interior.

INTERIOR

On the road: what’s the GAC Aion V Lux like to drive?

The Aion V feels quick enough, with plenty of punch in the mid-range for when you need to make a move, but the truly impressive characteristic is its ride quality.

It’s comfortable, feels incredibly well-built, and stands out for all the right reasons in a very crowded market.

There’s an underlying firmness at moderate speeds on less-than-perfect roads, but it’s never intrusive, while on the open road the Aion V remains very, very comfortable without devolving into the soft, soggy handling that can sometimes plague comfort-focused vehicles.

The steering is well-weighted with a degree of feel and feedback – not a huge amount, but more than is typical for the segment – while the chassis is similarly responsive and predictable, with the Aion V safely pushing wide if you get too ambitious in a corner, but you really have to be pushing it to find that limit.

My only real complaint on the road involves the driver assistance systems: they are a little too insistent. If it decides your sunglasses are too dark, it will constantly tell you to pay attention.

But the worst part is that every alert – lane departure, speed limit, driver attention – uses the exact same generic digital “bloop,” forcing you to look away from the road to the screen to see exactly what it wants. It’s a silly, distracting implementation in an otherwise competently executed car.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what’s the GAC Aion V Lux’s warranty and servicing situation?

GAC Motor New Zealand offers an 8-year/150,000km vehicle warranty on the Aion V, with an 8-year/200,000km warranty on the battery, along with with 5 years of roadside assistance. Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the GAC Aion V?

Overall, I’m genuinely impressed by the GAC Aion V. It’s a lovely car to drive, with more than enough grunt, a fantastic ride, and handsome looks. It’s comfortable, feels incredibly well-built, and stands out for all the right reasons in a very crowded market.

The Aion V is a remarkably competent and compelling package that makes a very strong first impression for the GAC brand in New Zealand.

The only real smudge on an otherwise excellent copybook is the overzealous and poorly executed driver monitoring alerts. But even then, the alerts are soft and quiet, and if you turn the stereo up, you can’t really hear them – which I have long held as being the solution to many of life’s little annoyances anyway.

This is also something that can – and most likely will – be ironed out with an Over-the-Air update at some stage anyway.

Annoying chimes aside though, the Aion V is a remarkably competent and compelling package that makes a very strong first impression for the GAC brand in New Zealand.

GAC Aion V Lux FAQs

What kind of car is the GAC Aion V Lux?

A medium-sized family SUV.

Does the GAC Aion V Lux have hybrid or EV technology?

The GAC Aion V is fully electric, with a range over over 500km.

What’s the energy economy of the GAC Aion V Lux?

16.7kWh/100km.

Is the GAC Aion V Lux safe? 

The Aion V has a 5 Star safety rating from ANCAP and features 7 airbags, including dual front airbags, dual side airbags, full length curtain airbags and a centre airbag.

What safety and assistance features does the GAC Aion V Lux have?

What are the GAC Aion V Lux’s main rivals?

• Forthing Taikon Exclusive ($47,990): handsome and slightly cheaper, less range.
• Geely EX5 Inspire ($56,990): less range, more power, generic looks.
• Leapmotor C10 Long Range ($59,990): same range, much more power, generic looks.
• BYD Atto 3 ($49,990): smaller, but proven. Now on runout.
• Toyota RAV4 GX ($50,990): safe name, but not an EV and only the rental-spec 2WD entry-level one.