2026 GAC Aion V Long-Term Review

GAC has officially arrived in the Australian market with four new models, and one of them—the all-electric Aion V—has now been on sale locally for nearly six months.

GAC is undoubtedly one of China's largest automotive manufacturing groups, having surpassed 1.7 million global vehicle sales last year thanks to its joint ventures with Toyota and Honda. In fact, GAC candidly acknowledges that it learned how to build cars through these joint-venture partnerships, and today, the pupil has surpassed the master in the new energy vehicle sphere.

GAC states that it is doing everything possible to ensure a strong local rollout and build trust among Australian consumers—this includes providing an ultra-long warranty, extended roadside assistance, and fully stocking a parts warehouse in Melbourne prior to initial customer deliveries, reflecting an admirable level of ambition.

Serving as one of the spearhead models for GAC's Australian debut, the Aion V forms an initial four-vehicle lineup alongside the Emzoom compact petrol SUV, the M8 luxury plug-in hybrid MPV, and the recently launched Aion UT.

Even the entry-level Premium grade comes extensively equipped, featuring:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.6-inch central touchscreen

The flagship Luxury grade’s standout highlight is a 6.6-litre onboard refrigerator capable of holding 12 beverage cans. GAC claims it can maintain a constant 4°C temperature while consuming just 0.5kWh over 24 hours, supports an operating range from -15°C to 50°C, and stands as the first pure electric mid-size SUV in Australia to feature an onboard refrigerator.

What is the powertrain of the 2026 GAC Aion V?

The Aion V lineup comprises two trim levels—Premium and Luxury—both powered by a 150kW/210Nm front-mounted electric motor paired with a 75.26kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, achieving a driving range of 510km under the WLTP standard.

GAC states that when connected to a 180kW DC fast charger, the Aion V can replenish from 30% to 80% in just 16 minutes. For buyers charging via an AC wallbox, the battery can be fully charged from empty in 8.5 hours at the maximum AC charging rate of 11kW.

How does the 2026 GAC Aion V look on the outside?

From the outside, the Aion V is by no means unattractive; compared to most rivals in its segment, it possesses a distinctly unique character thanks to its chunky, well-planted proportions that wear well over time. The front fascia balances ruggedness with soft surfacing, featuring an uncluttered, featureless blank panel where an internal combustion engine's grille would traditionally sit, complemented by stylish four-bar LED daytime running lights that visually mirror the rear tail-light cluster.

This is undeniably a substantial and robust vehicle, to the point where the standard 19-inch alloy wheels look somewhat modest beneath its bulky frame. However, the squared-off wheel arches and roof rails provide an authentic SUV presence that is often missing from rounder, softer alternatives like the Leapmotor C10 or Geely EX5.

Regarding exterior paint options, while some rivals offer merely three or four hues, GAC provides up to seven exterior colour choices for the Aion V:  

• Galaxy Blue
• Wilderness Sand
• Arctic White
• Holographic Silver
• Night Shadow Black
• Sea Fluorescent Grey
• Galaxy Blue with White Roof

How is the interior of the 2026 GAC Aion V?

For this road test, GAC supplied us with the mid-spec Luxury variant, and our initial impressions were thoroughly impressive.

Certain new vehicles look appealing only in photographs, while their actual assembly quality fails to match their visual promise. The Aion V Luxury, however, conveys an unmistakably solid and meticulous build standard—featuring extensive integration of soft-touch plastics and PVC leatherette upholstery throughout the cabin. In styling, functionality, and materials, it delivers a decidedly upscale experience, especially given its price point. It never feels like a superficial attempt to mimic luxury; the overall fit-and-finish feels robust and exceptionally well executed, benefiting from the fact that the Aion V is produced in the automotive industry's first and currently only lighthouse-certified manufacturing facility for automotive interiors.

Deserving particular praise are the interior door release handles, which are crafted from metal and integrated seamlessly into the design lines of the door panels. In tactile operation, they feel several notches more premium than the hollow plastic door handles common to competitor vehicles in this category.

Apart from a minimal cluster of physical buttons retained on the steering wheel, you will not find any other buttons or knobs inside the cabin. Every single function must be adjusted via the 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen positioned in the middle of the dashboard. Fortunately, even when operating wireless Apple CarPlay, a persistent dock of shortcut icons remains anchored along the bottom edge of the display. However, if you are an Android smartphone user, that bottom shortcut bar disappears entirely, meaning adjusting basic climate settings requires an arduous four-step screen tapping process.

The cabin comes equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and ample USB and 12V charging ports. The nine-speaker audio setup performs respectably without being truly breathtaking, though it delivers punchy, meaty bass when the volume is turned up. Furthermore, you receive a panoramic glass roof with an electric sunblind and a hands-free power tailgate.

Mounted directly ahead of the driver sits an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster that is sharp, well-structured, and genuinely easier to read than the digital displays found in most rival offerings. Ergonomics are acceptable though not without flaws: I never managed to find an entirely ideal seating posture, partly due to the seat base lacking under-thigh support, partly because the seatbelt felt somewhat restrictive for a broader frame, and partly because every function is buried inside that central touchscreen positioned far from the driver's natural reach, necessitating an awkward forward lean to tap controls.

One thoughtful touch is how effortless it is to store your preferred seating position—every time you adjust the seat, a prompt pops up on the display allowing you to name and save the memory profile under your own name. Speaking of the seats, the ventilation and massage functions operate effectively.

Second-row seating space is vast. Passengers measuring 180cm tall will find that when seated on the comfortable bench with its wide fold-down centre armrest, both legroom and headroom are exceptionally generous, courtesy of the Aion V's class-leading 2,775mm wheelbase. If you step up to the Luxury grade, you gain an exquisitely engineered—almost delightfully over-engineered—fold-out tray table mounted to the front passenger seatback, designed specifically for working on the go, provided you have a chauffeur behind the wheel.

Front storage accommodation brings few surprises, largely because the Aion V omits a conventional glovebox entirely. However, it does feature a sizable storage compartment underneath the central armrest, and on the Luxury model, this space functions as an integrated heating and cooling box with temperatures ranging from -15°C all the way up to 50°C. If you are tired of takeaway meals turning cold on the drive home, this might just be the car for you.

Boot volume is likewise solid, aligning squarely with the category average. It offers 427 litres of cargo capacity with the second-row seats upright (edging out the Geely EX5's 410 litres), expanding to 978 litres once the rear seats are folded down.

Yet the cabin harbors some genuinely bizarre quirks. For instance, European regulations mandate a visual warning showing that the front passenger airbag is active; most automakers satisfy this via a subtle, discreet LED indicator light. The Aion V, by contrast, displays a persistent, semi-transparent floating widget directly on the main touchscreen. While you can drag it around the display to uncover whatever interface element it is currently blocking, it remains permanently on screen, and is always mildly intrusive.

What is the ownership and warranty coverage for the 2026 GAC Aion V?

GAC backs the 2026 Aion V range with:

• 8-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty
• 8-year/200,000-kilometre high-voltage battery warranty
• 5 years of roadside assistance
• Service intervals: 12 months or 15,000km

How safe is the 2026 GAC Aion V?

In terms of safety protection, the 2026 Aion V secured a five-star safety rating under ANCAP crash testing, matching its five-star Euro NCAP performance. Standard active safety equipment fitted across the entire range includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear occupant reminder
• Driver monitoring system
• Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA)
• Lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit warning
• Surround-view camera system
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front-centre airbag, front side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags

On paper, every piece of safety equipment you would expect comes standard, alongside active driving assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control. However, there is no quick shortcut to deactivate most of these features, as even the quick-access swipe-down menu does not cover every item. You are forced to navigate deep into a convoluted menu architecture to locate various sub-functions, several of which are labeled ambiguously. Hopefully GAC can rectify this via an over-the-air (OTA) software update in the future, especially considering benchmarks like MG's "MG Pilot Custom Shortcut" define the industry standard in this regard.

Which 2026 GAC Aion V variant should you choose?

2026 GAC Aion V Premium Standard Equipment includes:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam assist
• Active grille shutters
• Panoramic sunroof (with electric sunblind)
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors with memory
• Hill descent control
• 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen
• DAB+ digital radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• GPS satellite navigation
• In-car Wi-Fi hotspot
• Smartphone app remote vehicle control
• Nine-speaker sound system
• Heated steering wheel
• Four-way adjustable steering column
• PVC leatherette seat upholstery
• Six-way power driver's seat with memory
• Four-way power front passenger seat with memory
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Reclining second-row seatbacks
• 60:40 split-folding rear seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• One-touch power windows all round
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Intelligent ambient lighting
• Front and rear USB-A ports plus front USB-C port

2026 GAC Aion V Luxury Upgrades (in addition to Premium):

• PVC and genuine leather combination seat upholstery
• Eight-point front seat massage function
• 6.6L onboard heating and cooling refrigerator
• Second-row fold-out tray table
• Enlarged illuminated vanity mirrors
• Optional equipment: Space-saver spare wheel

What is the 2026 GAC Aion V like to drive?

Out on the open road, you can immediately feel that the Aion V handles remarkably well. It completely avoids that loose, top-heavy floatiness often found in electric vehicles across this price tier, which frequently struggle under the sheer heft of their low-slung battery packs. Dynamically, it feels essentially as cohesive and polished as a traditional Japanese petrol-powered mid-size SUV—a commendable feat rarely witnessed among rival Chinese EVs in this segment.

The steering calibration occupies a sweet spot—neither too light nor artificially heavy—with a steering ratio well judged for maneuvering through bustling metropolitan and suburban streets. Primary ride damping is similarly accomplished, reacting to road imperfections with predictable composure. It avoids being overly wallowy while steering clear of harsh brittleness; it simply rounds off sharp bumps cleanly while maintaining a coherent level of chassis feedback.

While none of this represents ground-breaking technology, you would be astonished by how many contemporary new offerings (particularly electric vehicles) stumble across these fundamental ride and handling basics, even those hailing from nations with century-old automotive legacies. In the Aion V, however, you can clearly trace Toyota's chassis calibration pedigree, and the vehicle is immensely better for it.

The 150kW electric motor also deserves praise; the Aion V does not chase the hyperactive, neck-snapping acceleration figures seen on certain high-power electric SUVs. In everyday driving, this is hardly a disadvantage, as it still retains ample mid-range punch when merging onto short highway on-ramps or executing decisive overtaking maneuvers.

Thanks to precise steering weighting and linear low-to-mid-range torque response, it feels naturally suited to urban and suburban commuting. Yet when cruising at highway limits, the Aion V remains poised and relaxed, proving itself as a versatile, well-rounded performer capable of adjusting to diverse driving demands.

Given its boxy upright styling and relatively low window beltline, judging vehicle extremities in tight urban quarters is straightforward. A 360-degree surround-view camera system comes standard, making tight parking maneuvers an effortless affair.

However, one noticeable dynamic weakness of the Aion V is tire and road roar: both Australia and New Zealand feature coarse-chip bitumen roads. The Aion V's standard 19-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in lower-profile, performance-biased rubber, which transmits pronounced road roar and cavity boom into the cabin across coarse surfaces. Several local automotive outlets have even suggested that the factory ought to equip 18-inch wheels with thicker-sidewall comfort-oriented tyres for the Australasian market, though this does not detract from its serene demeanor on smooth metropolitan tarmac.

Another irritation centers on the hyperactive Driver Monitoring System (DMS): glance briefly toward the central display to adjust the air conditioning or check navigation, and the cabin instantly chimes with loud warning tones, occasionally accompanied by verbal admonishments to pay attention. The intelligent speed sign recognition also reacts rigidly to local speed limits, sounding persistent warning chimes the moment your speed creeps even 1km/h above the posted sign. To make matters worse, these intrusive alerts cannot be disabled permanently or via a single shortcut button; they default back to fully on upon every vehicle restart. Fully silencing them requires around ten separate taps through nested secondary and tertiary menus, significantly detracting from daily driving enjoyment—a symptom, perhaps, of GAC over-calibrating safety systems to satisfy strict ANCAP testing protocols.

How much does the 2026 GAC Aion V Range cost?

The 2026 GAC Aion V series is priced in Australia as follows (official direct drive-away pricing, AUD):

• 2026 GAC Aion V Premium: $45,902 (NSW) or $46,180 (VIC)
• 2026 GAC Aion V Luxury: $47,972 (NSW) or $48,270 (VIC)

From a value perspective, the Aion V Luxury FWD undercuts the BYD Sealion 7 RWD by roughly $11,000 AUD, and sits approximately $15,000 AUD below the Tesla Model Y Premium RWD—both of which have larger exterior dimensions but deliver shorter driving ranges (482km and 466km respectively).

The 2026 GAC Aion V also aligns closely on price with the Geely EX5 (roughly $45,602 to $49,760 AUD drive-away), which features comparable equipment levels, though the EX5's official claimed driving range is capped lower at 435–450km.

2026 GAC Aion V Series Review: Final Verdict

The arrival of the GAC Aion V marks a thoroughly encouraging opening salvo for GAC across the Australasian market. Bolstered by the engineering synergy of its joint venture with Toyota, it delivers a mature, composed Japanese-style chassis composure that is exceedingly rare among Chinese electric vehicles in the mid-$40,000 AUD price bracket.

The vehicle's core strengths are clear-cut. With the entry-level Premium grade already generously equipped, GAC smartly capped the price walk to the flagship Luxury model at a modest $2,000 AUD. That extra two grand unlocks leather upholstery, eight-point front massaging seats, and an integrated 6.6-litre physical refrigerator capable of keeping drinks ice-cold through a scorching Australian summer. Coupled with a 510km WLTP driving range and 16-minute DC fast charging, this lavish equipment onslaught delivers an unbeatable family-focused value equation against mid-size EV rivals.

The only major adjustment required is adapting to a dashboard completely stripped of physical buttons, where even side mirror adjustments are buried inside the central touchscreen. Drivers sensitive to touchscreen-heavy ergonomics will face a learning curve. But for mainstream family buyers seeking comprehensive equipment, rock-solid chassis fundamentals, and a strict budget cap under $45,000 AUD, the Aion V stands as a deeply capable dark horse.