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GAC Aion V Review: Odd Looks, Premium Cabin, £24,000 Price
The GAC Aion V electric SUV offers a plush, feature-packed interior and a competitive price, but its unusual design and lack of brand recognition may deter some buyers.
By Eleanor Ellington · 4 min read
The GAC Aion V has arrived in several international markets, including Australia, where it is priced from AU$42,590 (about £22,000) before on-road costs. The top-spec Luxury variant tested here costs AU$44,590 (roughly £23,000), undercutting many established electric SUVs while offering a level of interior quality that rivals vehicles costing tens of thousands more.
On paper, the Aion V promises space and comfort to match a Tesla Model Y, with a more generous equipment list and a significantly lower price. It is built by GAC, one of China’s oldest and largest car manufacturers, and is now in its second generation, having first launched in China in mid-2024. The SUV is underpinned by GAC’s AEP 3.0 platform, which also serves the China-exclusive Toyota bZ3X.
Two versions are sold in Australia: the entry-level Premium and the flagship Luxury. Both come with a 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a single front-mounted electric motor producing 150 kW (201 hp) and 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) of torque. That is sufficient for a 0-62 mph sprint in 7.9 seconds and an efficiency rating of 14.8 kWh per 100 km. The battery pack is one of several available globally, including a 62 kWh CATL unit, a 64.5 kWh LFP pack, and a 90 kWh NMC battery, but Australian buyers receive only the 75 kWh option.
Where the Aion V surprises is inside. The cabin feels far more premium than its price suggests, with soft-touch materials, two-tone door panels with diamond stitching, and a felt-lined wireless charging pad. The 14.6-inch infotainment display is crisp and responsive, controlling most vehicle functions including climate settings, though a permanent shortcut menu at the bottom of the screen makes temperature and fan adjustments easier than in many rivals. An 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a two-spoke steering wheel are standard.
The Luxury trim adds genuine leather seats with massage functions that are unusually effective, delivering a firm, realistic kneading action rather than a faint pulse. Both front seats are heated and ventilated. Between the front seats sits a 6.6-litre fridge that can cool to -15°C or warm to 50°C, a feature rarely seen at this price point. Rear passengers benefit from a spacious second row with ample head and legroom, a fold-out table on the back of the front passenger seat, and a panoramic glass roof with a sliding cover.
Design remains the Aion V’s most divisive aspect. It is boxy and has an unusual stance on the road, lacking the sporty edge of a Tesla Model Y. But that is not necessarily a drawback for buyers prioritising comfort and practicality over driving dynamics. The Aion V is not intended to be a sporty SUV, and it does not pretend to be.
What the Aion V lacks is brand recognition. GAC is little known outside China, and the Aion name will draw blank stares from most passers-by. That may deter buyers who value badge prestige, but for those willing to look past the unfamiliar marque, the Aion V represents exceptional value. It offers a well-equipped, comfortable, and efficient electric SUV for significantly less than many established competitors, backed by a manufacturer with decades of experience.
For British buyers, the Aion V is not yet confirmed for the UK market, but its Australian pricing and specification suggest that if it does arrive, it could undercut mainstream electric SUVs by a considerable margin. The question is whether British motorists are ready to embrace a Chinese brand with an odd name and even odder styling in exchange for a genuinely premium interior and a sub-£25,000 price tag.
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