GAC is a fresh name in Australia, but its new Aion V small-medium electric SUV shows promise and should shake up the market thanks to its surprisingly plush interior, impressive features list, and sharp pricing.
This electric SUV segment is one of the most competitive, with many options now available all offering very similar specifications and capabilities. But should you take the risk on a brand you’ve never heard of? We had a decent test drive during the official media launch event to find out.
2026 GAC Aion V: Specifications
Electrical: 75.26kWh battery, 1x e-motor
Output: 150kW/ 210Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19in, 222/45
Weight: 1880kgPower-to-weight: 12.53:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 510km
Max charge AC/DC: 11kW/180kW
0-100km/h: 7.86 seconds*
Starting price: $31,990
2026 GAC Aion V: How much does it cost?
Two variants are on sale in Australia, including the Premium and Luxury. Prices start from $42,590 and $44,590, respectively (excluding on-roads). A decent price point especially when you factor in the standard inclusions.
And to be honest, with only a $2000 premium for the flagship, you might as well go for that and experience the full potential. However, there are some cheaper electric alternatives in this space if that’s your top priority.
2026 GAC Aion V: Interior & packaging
The cabin is the first surprise. For a vehicle positioned at the value end of the EV landscape, the materials and overall ambience feel a step above expectations. There’s a sense of intent behind the textures and colour choices, giving the Aion V a strong premium personality that you don’t always see at this price.
Space efficiency is also a key attraction. The upright glasshouse provides excellent headroom in both rows, while rear legroom is genuinely impressive for its size. You can even recline the back seat for added comfort, and there’s a fold-out tray table adding practicality for families, or even a drawcard for rideshare purposes.
Not everything hits the mark. The twin-screen setup across the dash feels generic, and the interface hierarchy is too buried for day-to-day use. The fact you need multiple taps just to adjust the side mirrors (at least 4 selections) is a clear example. It looks modern, but a few physical shortcuts and volume/fan buttons would drastically improve usability in our view.
Still, the fundamentals are strong; big windows, quality switchgear, soft leatherette trim, supportive seats (massage functions available), and plenty of storage with 427L/978L of boot space. There is no front boot.
2026 GAC Aion V: Powertrain & handling
The Aion V features a 75kWh battery paired with a 150kW/210Nm front motor, which is on par with the output norms for this category. GAC claims a 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds, and it feels about right; confident, quiet, and much quicker than comparable petrol models, without feeling unruly.
Efficiency and range are major selling points as well. With an official 510km WLTP rating, the Aion V stretches further than many rivals, and the relatively modest battery size means charging times are reasonable. Impressively, the Aion V can take up to 180kW of DC power, which is above average for this segment and helps make short charging stops more practical. GAC says charging from 30-80 per cent can take just 16 minutes.
Ride comfort leans toward the softer end of the spectrum. Around town, this is ideal. Speed bumps, patchy edges and low-speed chatter are filtered out nicely. However, the rear suspension can feel a bit unsettled on country roads, bucking and pivoting on the front axle, and the body tends to roll more than you might expect during quick directional changes and along sweeping bends.
It’s not unsafe or unbalanced, but it lacks the more tied-down manners of some rivals. For buyers who will spend most of their time in urban environments, this probably won’t matter, but keen drivers will notice.
Noise isolation, on the other hand, is handled well. Even on coarse surfaces the cabin remains impressively quiet, helped by good acoustic damping and the refinement inherent in electric powertrains. Overall, a surprisingly refined and civilised drive experience, and not just for a newcomer.
2026 GAC Aion V: First impressions
Being a new brand, we don’t know anything about long-term reliability, how it handles warranty, parts supply, and even the dealer footprint is very small right now (around 4 shops, but plans to expand massively). So, to be frank, there is some risk associated with taking the plunge on a new brand such as GAC.
However, the Aion V itself seems to be a compelling new entry in the growing field of affordable electric SUVs. It delivers a classy interior, excellent cabin space, strong range, and competitive charging capability. The softer suspension tune and touchscreen-heavy interface might frustrate some, but in general the package feels well resolved for a brand new contender.
2026 GAC Aion V: Video
