Once upon a time, little hatches ruled our city streets. You’d see them everywhere, whether it be a Toyota Yaris/Corolla, Mazda 2/3 or Suzuki Swift.
Now, not so much – the small city car has fallen out of fashion over the past decade and, until recently, the list of models still available to buy was dwindling.
However, there’s surely still a place for compact, frugal motoring. After all, cities aren’t getting any smaller. That’s especially true in China.
So, it should come as little surprise that Chinese automakers are driving a revival of the city car, albeit with an electrified twist.
First came the GWM Ora, BYD Dolphin, and MG 4 – all EVs, of course. Then came the BYD Atto 1, a cheaper, battery-powered alternative to the Japanese shopping karts we all grew up with.
But wait, there’s more! MG is having another crack with the MG 4 EV Urban, and Geely wants a piece of the action with its upcoming EX2. And, in case that wasn’t enough choice, newcomer GAC will sell you this – the Aion UT.
GAC’s fourth model to launch Down Under is comparable to a Corolla in both size and price, but features a whole lot more standard equipment. Oh, and it’s fully electric, which comes in handy during a fuel crisis.
None of the above selling points are likely to sway the SUV crowd, but perhaps this might: the Aion UT will seat in five adults in comfort, and doesn’t feel like a bucket of bolts on the road.
That’s not to say this is a small car to end our obsession with big cars, and you’ll find out why in this review.
How much does the GAC Aion UT cost?
Until April 9 this year, GAC will offer the Premium variant for $30,990 drive-away and the Luxury flagship for $35,990 drive-away. This is limited to the first 600 units.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
|
2026 GAC Aion UT Premium |
$31,990 |
|
2026 GAC Aion UT Luxury |
$35,990 |
It’s unclear whether GAC will then choose to extend the offer – as many automakers do – but if not, pricing will revert to the values listed in the above table.
While it’s not the cheapest EV in Australia, the Aion UT certainly isn’t far off. The smaller, more basic BYD Atto 1 starts from just $23,990 plus ORCs, while the brand-new MG 4 EV Urban will open at $31,990 drive-away when it arrives in showrooms sometime this month.
Other direct rivals include the GWM Ora (currently priced from $33,990 drive-away), BYD Dolphin (from $29,990 before on-roads), and to a lesser extent electric versions of the Mini Cooper.
To see how the GAC Aion UT lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
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What is the GAC Aion UT like on the inside?
The interior of the Aion UT feels very generous in many regards… unless you like buttons.
Measuring in at 4270mm long, 1850mm wide and 1575mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase, it’s 105mm shorter than a Toyota Corolla hatch but 60mm wider and rides on a 110mm longer wheelbase.
As such, the cabin feels properly spacious, both up front and in the second row. There’s plenty of separation between driver and passenger, while five adults can occupy the car without issue.
Beyond an abundance of space, the Aion UT also impresses with its high level of standard equipment. Our top-spec test vehicle presented with all the fruit of a much more expensive vehicle – I’m talking a heated and ventilated driver’s seat, heated passenger’s seat, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, and a power tailgate.
So, how is it so cheap? Well, there are a couple giveaways.
For one, scattered hard interior plastic finishes and fake stitching give away the Aion UT’s budget origins. With that said, the materials aren’t all that bad overall – padded leatherette wraps around the mid-section of the cabin, including where your elbows naturally rest.
You can also choose from a variety of different interior colourways, one of which is pink to match the Midnight Lavender exterior paint option – much more interesting than the usual 50 shades of black.
The seats are great, too. Trimmed in perforated leatherette, both front pews offer pronounced bolstering for both thighs and torso, plus a wide range of electric adjustment.
The same can’t be said of the steering wheel, which tilts but doesn’t telescope, limiting your ability to get truly comfortable.
I was also surprised to find flaws in the climate control system – an equally important contributor to driving comfort. Not only are the climate controls screen-based (more on that soon), but the system itself struggles to actually cool the cabin down in a timely manner, at least in my experience of driving the Aion UT on a warm autumn day in Sydney. Adequate air-conditioning seems like a basic fundamental that all new cars should nail, so GAC has some work to do in this regard.
Coming back to the topic of screens, this is yet another new model that prioritises minimalist design over a user-friendly layout.
Like many of its rivals, the Aion UT features a huge central infotainment touchscreen, smaller digital instrument display, and next to no physical controls. As a result, simple tasks like switching on seat heating, retracting the overhead sunshade or adjusting A/C fan speed require more effort than is necessary.
However, the GAC interface is still more user-friendly than many. A shortcut bar along the base of the middle display provides quick access to popular functions, and the screen is quick to respond to touch and swipe inputs.
Alternatively, voice commands work quite well, which is a little surprising considering you’ll find a few rough Chinese-to-English translations littered throughout the infotainment sub-menus.
But, as previously mentioned, the Aion UT makes up for a slight lack of polish with a strong set of features. On the technology front, you get native navigation with live traffic data, connected services, an integrated app store, and over-the-air software updates.
There’s also the option to ignore GAC’s toys altogether and take advantage of wireless smartphone mirroring. You needn’t worry about running out of charge, as a wireless phone charging pad can be found atop the floating centre console, while USB-A, USB-C and 12V power outlets are also within reach.
Moving across, the steering column-mounted driver’s display is visually sharp and highly functional, with the capability to switch between maps, media, efficiency and ADAS information. Such adjustments can be made using buttons and rollers on the steering wheel, although these are poorly labelled.
While the tech feels a bit unfinished in some ways, there’s nothing lacking in the cabin storage department. Top storage options include a wide lower tray, deep centre console bin and roomy glovebox. Sure, you can find those in other small cars, but the Aion UT has more tricks up its sleeve – an additional semi-hidden compartment under the main air vents, plus phone ‘slots’ in each door card.
Practicality is likewise a standout strength of the second row.
The rear doors open wide to reveal a highly inviting set of back seats boasting more legroom and headroom than just about any compact hatch on sale today. Light-coloured materials and a panoramic glass roof also allay any fears surrounding claustrophobia.
Unlike some EVs, the Aion UT doesn’t force a ‘knees-up’ rear seating position, either. Rather, there’s a slight incline to the seat base and a gentle recline to the backrest – in other words, it feels natural.
In terms of second-row amenities, the Aion UT offers a fold-down centre armrest with two large cupholders, map pockets behind both front seats, twin air vents, storage in the doors, and a single USB-A outlet – more than most rivals at this price point, although USB-C connectivity is preferable.
Boot space is less of a strength, but hardly a weakness. GAC quotes 321 litres of capacity – more than a Corolla, Mazda 3 or GWM Ora, but less than the Dolphin and MG 4 EV Urban.
Charging cables have a home under the boot floor, as does the tyre repair kit.
You can enlarge the cargo area by folding the rear bench, though there’s quite a noticeable step up from the boot floor to this flat space.
| Dimensions | GAC Aion UT |
|---|---|
| Length |
4270mm |
| Width |
1850mm |
| Height |
1575mm |
| Wheelbase |
2750mm |
| Cargo capacity |
321L (rear seats up) 689L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the GAC Aion UT lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
All versions of the Aion UT share the same single, front-mounted electric motor and 60kWh battery, the latter of which is good for 430km of driving range – a segment-leading figure.
| Specifications | GAC Aion UT |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain |
Single-motor electric |
| Battery |
60kWh LFP |
| Power |
150kW |
| Torque |
210Nm |
| Drive type |
Front-wheel drive |
| Weight |
1670-1700kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) |
7.3 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) |
16.4kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) |
16.1kWh/100km |
| Claimed range (WLTP) |
430km |
| Max AC charge rate |
11kW |
| Max DC charge rate |
87kW |
The Aion UT is front-wheel drive, like the GWM Ora and BYD Dolphin, as well as the upcoming MG 4 EV Urban. The MG 4 and upcoming Geely EX2, in contrast, are rear-wheel drive.
Its motor produces 150kW of power and 210Nm of torque, outperforming the base Dolphin (70kW/180Nm) and beating the Ora on power but not on torque (126kW/250Nm).
As for charging speeds, the Aion UT maxes out at 87kW on a DC fast-charger – better than most competitors bar the MG 4 EV Urban (150kW).
To see how the GAC Aion UT lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the GAC Aion UT drive?
I’d be able to tell you… if I wasn’t constantly distracted by a not-so-merry-go-round of warning chimes from the safety systems.
In all seriousness, the Aion UT did afford me just enough peace and quiet to form some thoughts about how it drove, but only just.
That’s because the advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) are unrelenting in their mission to unnecessarily scold the driver for erroneous errors they’re allegedly making.
Whether it be the driver monitoring camera, overspeed warning, forward collision alert or lane-keep assist system, there’s always something beeping at you. Heck, the UT even threw up warnings for my seatbelt being undone (it wasn’t) and the passenger putting their feet on the dash (they weren’t).
The extent of the unnecessary intrusions isn’t merely inconvenient, it’s infuriating.
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To make matters worse, the safety tech you actively seek assistance from doesn’t even work. Switch on the semi-autonomous highway driving function and the Aion UT will drift to the left side of its lane, cross the markings, and then give up entirely. It did this consistently, too.
The icing on the cake – there’s no easy way to disable all the broken nannies. Instead, you have to adjust the safety settings each and every time you drive.
Fortunately, these issues can probably be resolved with a software update or two.
Still, talk about an Achilles heel, because this electric hatch is otherwise a decent, albeit not great, steer.
The front-mounted electric motor is punchy, and the Aion UT has a genuine turn of pace, which makes for plenty of fun around town. Despite the fitment of sub-par tyres (I’ll expand on this later), traction is never an issue at lower speeds, either.
Progress to faster open roads and there’s little drop-off – a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds feels about right in the real world. Those are certified ‘warm hatch’ numbers.
Don’t expect warm hatch levels of driving engagement, though. The steering feels a bit dead around centre, while the brake pedal behaves like an on/off switch.
There are multiple drive modes – Comfort, Sport and Power Save – which alter the car’s behaviour, though the differences aren’t always as useful as you’d hope.
For example, in both Comfort and Sport modes, regenerative braking is very weak (even in its highest setting). For stronger regen you need to switch to Power Save, but doing so significantly reduces throttle response and overall performance. So, as someone who likes to drive EVs on the right pedal as much as possible, it was difficult to find an optimal setup.
Steering weight can also be adjusted through the infotainment screen, and it’s worth switching to the firm setting for a greater sense of control.
There’s not much the driver can do to address the Aion UT’s underlying handling deficiencies, though.
We spent a bit of time carving up some country roads, and it quickly became evident that this soft-edged EV has a low dynamic ceiling, largely due to limited grip from its 215mm-wide Chaoyang tyres.
Corners taken at a moderate velocity draw squeals of protest from the Aion UT’s rubber, usually accompanied by body roll. Indeed, at times it feels like the inside wheels get quite light.
That’s hardly confidence-inspiring, especially considering we drove on dry roads. I can only imagine the Aion UT would feel a little skittish in the wet.
On a brighter note, this whimsical little hatch rides better than it handles. Neither Sydney’s rollercoaster thoroughfares nor the pothole-ridden roads of rural New South Wales could disrupt its impressive ability to absorb harsh impacts without trampolining on rebound. And that’s with a torsion beam at the rear.
With that said, the Aion UT does its best work in the city, where the tarmac is generally smooth. Compact dimensions and excellent forward visibility make it easy to place through tight streets and shopping precincts, while a comprehensive set of cameras (including kerb view and transparent chassis) takes the stress out of tricky parking manoeuvres.
Rearward visibility isn’t quite as good, as there’s a sizeable blind spot at each back corner. Perhaps that’s why the infotainment system automatically displays a view of the aforementioned blind spots every time you indicate, limiting access to screen functions in the process.
Nevertheless, the Aion UT can be a fun little thing to zip around in, provided the safety tech behaves.
Highway driving also has the potential to be pleasant, provided the lane-centring system isn’t involved at all.
With that wayward system disabled, the Aion UT feels relatively at home on the wide open road, offering the sort of quiet refinement you expect from bigger, more substantial cars.
Strong motor outputs ensure it can hold triple-figure speeds better than most budget EVs. Yet, at the same time, it’s almost disconcertingly quiet in the cabin – there’s no electric motor whine, nor an artificial soundtrack. Noise from the outside world only seeps into the cabin to a limited extent.
Meanwhile, the suspension remains compliant, ensuring comfort throughout long road trips.
To see how the GAC Aion UT lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
The Aion UT serves as proof that you can get a whole lotta car for $35k in 2026.
2026 GAC Aion UT Premium equipment highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights with automatic high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- In-car Wi-Fi hotspot
- 6-speaker sound system
- Heated, leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
- PVC seat upholstery
- 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with heating
- Remote control of vehicle functions via mobile app
- Heat pump
- Rear air vents
- Adaptive cruise control
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Surround-view camera
Aion UT Luxury adds:
- Power tailgate
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade
- Wireless phone charger
- Ventilated driver’s seat
To see how the GAC Aion UT lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the GAC Aion UT safe?
GAC hasn’t submitted the Aion UT for ANCAP or Euro NCAP testing at the time of writing. However, local boss Kevin Shu says it’s the safest small car you can buy.
Standard safety equipment highlights:
- 7 airbags, including front, front side, side curtain, and centre
- Autonomous emergency braking
- eCall
- Adaptive cruise control with lane-centring
- Automatic high-beam
- Lane-keep assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Surround-view camera
- Driver monitoring system
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Official safety testing will take place later this year after GAC brings the Aion UT’s eCall system online. Now a key element of ANCAP’s assessment criteria, eCall is an in-car technology designed to automatically connect occupants with emergency services following a crash.
GAC representatives are confident that once the eCall feature is active, the Aion UT will achieve a full five-star ANCAP rating.
To see how the GAC Aion UT lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the GAC Aion UT cost to run?
GAC backs its vehicles with an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 200,000km battery warranty. Also included is five years of roadside assistance, provided you service within the GAC dealer network, and 2GB of free data per month for the first two years.
| Servicing and Warranty |
GAC Aion UT |
|---|---|
| Warranty |
8 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance |
5 years |
| Service intervals |
12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing |
N/A |
| Recommended total service cost (5 years) |
$1607 |
Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km, although service pricing isn’t capped by GAC, meaning dealers can decide what they charge. Having said that, GAC has published ‘recommended’ pricing online.
To see how the GAC Aion UT lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the GAC Aion UT
There isn’t a whole lot wrong with the Aion UT; it’s just unfortunate that the issues it does have are significant in nature.
Unbearable safety systems and questionable tyres seriously undermine an otherwise agreeable driving experience.
Similarly, touchscreen foibles and a seemingly stressed air-con system take some of the shine off an interior space that’s otherwise comfortable, practical, and well-equipped.
As such, the Aion UT feels like a car with a lot of potential, but one that still needs refinement to fully deliver on it.
In the meantime, it’s worth considering alternatives. The MG 4 is like-for-like and has had some of its kinks ironed out, while you can trust the Corolla and Kia K4 to deliver on their simple brief.
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