The 2026 GAC Aion V has landed in Australia, with the mid-size electric SUV forming the fledgling auto brand’s initial three-model lineup, alongside the entry-level Emzoom small SUV and the luxurious M8 plug-in hybrid people-mover.
If you’re finding it hard to keep up with the number of Chinese brands entering the market, we don’t blame you – GAC joins the likes of Denza, Deepal, Foton, Geely, Jaecoo, and Leapmotor. And those are just some of the Chinese brands that launched here in 2025 alone.
But GAC is arguably one of the biggest in China, where it sold more than two million vehicles last year, thanks in part to its joint ventures with Toyota and Honda.
In fact, GAC says it learned how to build cars due to those partnerships.
Now, GAC – pronounced G-A-C – has its eyes set on Australia, which it flatteringly describes as a very important market for the manufacturer. But also admits it’s late to the party, following a long list of other established Chinese brands already here.
GAC also says it’s doing everything it can to kick things off right and build trust with Australian consumers – offering long warranties, extended roadside assistance, and stocking a parts warehouse in Melbourne before first deliveries begin. It’s an admirable ambition, no doubt.
Unlike several of its peers, GAC has chosen not to introduce sub-brands here, as is the trend in China. Typically, it sells its mass-market vehicles under the Trumpchi name, while Aion is reserved for its electric cars, and Hyptec for its high-end electric models. Here, they’ll all be sold under the GAC umbrella.
Even if you have fatigue from the number of Chinese electric cars flooding the market, the GAC Aion V may be one you should be paying attention to. Let’s get into it.
How much does the GAC Aion V cost?
The 2026 GAC Aion V is priced from $42,590 before on-road costs for the Premium model, with the Luxury variant just $2000 more.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 GAC Aion V Premium | $42,590 |
| 2026 GAC Aion V Luxury | $44,590 |
While the Aion V Premium is already well equipped, the Luxury gains faux leather trim, massaging front seats, tray tables for second-row occupants, and a 6.6-litre refrigerator under the front armrest in the centre console.
At those prices, the Aion V goes up against the Geely EX5 and the Leapmotor C10, which are available from $40,990 and $45,888 plus on-road costs respectively, making them all much cheaper than the top-selling Tesla Model Y (from $58,900).
To see how the GAC Aion V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
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What is the GAC Aion V like on the inside?
At the launch of the Aion V, GAC provided us with the range-topping Luxury variant to test, and initial impressions left us reasonably impressed.
Whereas some cars can photograph well, but don’t necessarily have the build quality to match the looks, the Aion V Luxury definitely comes across as being well screwed together – with a nice mix of plastics and (PVC) leather throughout.
It’s a premium experience in terms of design, features, and materials – particularly for the money – but isn’t trying to be anything it’s not.
In other words, it’s not being a fake Mercedes-Benz, but instead offers a relatively fresh and modern take on ‘premium’, and one that’s certainly geared more towards a younger audience.
Of particular note are the interior door handles, which are metal and incorporated into the design of the door card, and feel a few levels nicer to use than most plastic door handles from other car companies.
However, it’s not perfect. Those same door handles don’t align perfectly, with a noticeable step against the trim piece it’s meant to sit flush with.
While GAC has made an effort to ensure all touch points are deluxe, there’s a cheap, shiny piece of plastic that borders the lower part of the windscreen – reflecting the sun with all of its cheapness. Arguably, however, it’s premium in all the areas where it needs to be.
Besides a small handful on the steering wheel, there are no buttons or knobs to be found anywhere inside. Everything is controlled via the 14.6-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard – though a shortcut bar is always displayed at the bottom, even when using wireless Apple CarPlay.
It makes the simplest things, like adjusting side mirrors, a bit of a chore, as you have to exit CarPlay and go digging around in the menus to find the correct tab.
There’s dual-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, and plenty of USB and 12-volt charging ports.
The nine-speaker stereo is quite good without being exceptional, though it does deliver nice, meaty bass when the volume is wound up. You also get a panoramic sunroof with an electric sunshade and a hands-free power tailgate.
Ahead of the driver is an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, which is crisp and well laid out. Better than most, actually.
Ergonomics are good without being perfect. I never quite found my ideal seating position, but I was generally comfortable during our short time in the car.
And I did like the fact you can very easily save your preferred seating position, with a small box appearing on the screen every time you change the seat – along with the ability to assign the saved position with your actual name.
Speaking of seats, the ventilation and seat massage functions work nicely, but the weather was too hot to test the seat heating without having someone on hand with a spatula…
Packaging for second-row passengers is especially good, offering a decent amount of space and comfort – making the Aion V perfectly suitable for long trips. Rear outboard seats also get heating in both variants.
Similarly, boot space is good without straying far from the segment average, with 427 litres of capacity with the rear seats in use – bettering the Geely, with 410L – and up to 978L with the second-row seat backs folded. But the Leapmotor C10 has it beat by a long shot, with 581L and 1410L respectively.
| Dimensions | GAC Aion V |
|---|---|
| Length | 4605mm |
| Width | 1854mm |
| Height | 1686mm |
| Wheelbase | 2775mm |
| Cargo capacity | 427L (rear seats up) 978L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the GAC Aion V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
There’s no difference in powertrains between the Aion V Premium and Luxury, with both using a 150kW/210Nm electric motor on the front axle, fed by a 75.26kWh battery – good for a claimed range of 510km (WLTP).
| Specifications | GAC Aion V |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric |
| Battery | 75.26kWh |
| Power | 150kW |
| Torque | 210Nm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 16.7kWh/100km |
| Claimed range | 510km |
| Max AC charge rate | 11kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 180kW (24 mins 10-80%) |
GAC says the Aion V can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in just 24 minutes, using a 180kW DC fast-charger.
Those charging via an AC plug will see the battery topped up in a claimed 8.5 hours, at a maximum of 11kW.
To see how the GAC Aion V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the GAC Aion V drive?
There’s something very telling that you should know about the GAC Aion V…
In China, this vehicle is sold as the Toyota bZ3X – albeit with a different body – and of course, we know from the long trial period in Australia for the right-hand drive Tundra pickup that Toyota won’t put its badge on anything that doesn’t meet its high standards.
Which is to say, the GAC Aion V is a good thing.
On the road, it’s immediately clear the Aion handles well, and doesn’t suffer from the same problems other electric vehicles in this segment – and particularly at this price point – can often have, due to the substantial weight of their batteries.
Essentially, the vehicle drives nearly as well as a petrol-powered mid-size Japanese SUV – and that isn’t always the case among its peers. And particularly for an EV from China.
Steering is in the Goldilocks Zone – being neither too heavy nor too light – and has a good ratio for city and suburban driving.
Ride quality is also very good, in that it reacts to the road just as you’d expect. It’s not overly plush or too stiff; it simply absorbs bumps while remaining communicative.
None of this is groundbreaking stuff, but you’d be surprised how often modern cars – particularly electric cars – fall short in these areas, even the ones from countries with long histories of car manufacturing. But there is an obvious Toyota influence in the Aion V, and the vehicle is better for it.
The 150kW electric motor is another tick, providing decent enough performance to get the car down the road when needed. Not only is the power output good, but the delivery of that performance – by which I mean both the torque curve and the throttle response – are tuned well.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if GAC has compiled a list of complaints from reviews of other cars in this segment, because its ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) – often extremely distracting and annoying in modern cars, ironically – seem like they’ve been turned down to the absolute minimum…
…To the point where the car seemed to allow its driver to drift out of their lane while at speed. Sometimes it would sound a ‘bong’, most of the time we just floated towards the wall.
However, the driver distraction monitoring system is, also ironically, too distracting, and I had to go swimming in the menus to shut it off. How dare I perform a head-check while changing lanes.
While better suited to the city and surrounds, thanks to its positive steering and low- to mid-range torque delivery, on the freeway the Aion V is just as comfortable and enjoyable to drive, proving it’s a versatile thing and adapts well to what’s being asked of it.
To see how the GAC Aion V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
GAC has loaded up the Aion V with a decent list of standard equipment for the Premium, and has priced the Luxury variant smartly, at just $2000 more.
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2026 Aion V Premium standard equipment highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Tyre repair kit
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Active grille shutters
- Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
- Hill descent control
- 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- In-car wi-fi
- Mobile phone remote vehicle control
- 9-speaker sound system
- Heated, leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
- 4-way adjustable steering column
- PVC upholstery
- 6-way power driver’s seat with memory
- 4-way power passenger seat with memory
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Reclining second-row seats
- 60:40 split/fold rear seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- One-touch up/down power windows
- Sun visors with vanity mirrors, lights
- ‘Intelligent’ ambient light
- 2 x USB-A outlets (1 x front, 1 x rear)
- 1 x USB-C outlet (front)
The Luxury adds:
- PVC/leather upholstery
- Eight-point massage for front seats
- 6.6L refrigerator
- Second-row tray table
- Sun visors with larger vanity mirror, light
A space-saver spare is optional.
To see how the GAC Aion V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the GAC Aion V safe?
The GAC Aion V has yet to be tested by ANCAP – the Australasian New Car Assessment Program – however, it was given a five-star safety rating from its sister program, Euro NCAP, earlier this year.
While scoring is not identical between ANCAP and Euro NCAP, it’s worth noting the Aion V received marks of 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 79 per cent for vulnerable road-user protection (such as pedestrians and cyclists), and 78 per cent for safety assist technology.
Those are encouraging scores, but we’ll have to wait and see how ANCAP interprets those results based on its own criteria to see how it comes out against the local competition.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Child presence detection
- Driver monitoring system
- Integrated Cruise Assistance
- Lane-keep assist
- Emergency lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Safe exit warning
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Front, front-centre, front-side and curtain airbags
To see how the GAC Aion V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the GAC Aion V cost to run?
While GAC’s petrol-powered models come with a seven-year warranty, being electric, the Aion V gets an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. However, at the time of writing, GAC hasn’t detailed the Aion V’s service schedule.
| Servicing and Warranty | GAC Aion V |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 8 years, unlimited kilometres |
| High-voltage battery warranty | 8 years, 200,000km |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | TBC |
| Capped-price servicing | TBC |
To see how the GAC Aion V lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the GAC Aion V
The GAC Aion V is a very encouraging start to the brand’s first foray into the Australian market, and while our time with the vehicle was limited, it put up a very strong performance for a mid-size electric SUV.
No doubt helped by its co-development with Toyota, the Aion V offers a driving experience typically not found at this price point, with ride and handling being particularly good.
To its credit, the GAC comes across as a relatively easy car to jump into and live with – despite the screen-based controls.
We suspect most will adapt to the lack of physical buttons fairly quickly, but if this is a personal bugbear then you might be better off looking at alternatives in the segment.
However, for those more comfortable with technology or who are willing to learn, there’s a lot on offer in this package.
Certainly, we’re looking forward to getting the Aion V into the CarExpert office for a more comprehensive review in the near future, but what we’ve seen so far is encouraging.
While GAC says it wants to be a top-10 auto brand by 2030, to be fair, most automakers have those aspirations in Australia – whether they publicly admit it or not.
But if our first taste of the Aion V is a sign of things to come, then GAC could well be on its way.
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