GAC Aion UT: another Chinese electric car looking to carve out a niche in the market with a charming design, plenty of quality and a good price

GAC begins its arrival in Spain with two battery electric cars built in Europe, a firm commitment to quality and an 8-year warranty to win over those who still regard the arrival of new Chinese brands with some caution. The first step comes with the Aion V and Aion UT models. Here we will focus on the second, the more compact of the two. Later on, towards the end of this year, the plans include another SUV and an MPV, both with plug-in hybrid technology. And there will be more variants and models throughout 2027.

GAC: another Chinese giant arrives in Spain

But before we focus on the Aion UT, let me tell you something about GAC. It stands for Guangzhou Automobile Group, one of the major Chinese car groups (currently in the “Top 5”), founded in 1997, and focused on R&D, vehicle manufacturing, component production, financing and mobility services. The company has produced more than 28 million vehicles throughout its history. Its arrival in Spain is channelled through Grupo Invicta, which will be the official importer. And, as we have become accustomed to with the Chinese brands reaching our market, the rollout is moving at high speed: the sales network starts with 29 points across the Peninsula and aims to reach 45 by the end of the year, and around 60 during 2027.

The first two models arriving in Spain, both the Aion UT and the Aion V, are assembled at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, a facility with extensive experience as a contract manufacturer for various brands. As for Aion, it is something like the electric “division” of the group. It was created to focus on electric vehicles, connectivity and digital architecture, and it now becomes GAC’s calling card in Europe.

Aion UT: compact electric with many qualities

The GAC Aion UT is a 4.27-metre electric car that is striking from the outside and improves on the first impression once you open the door and “poke around” inside. At the static presentation of the brand we were able to do so, and the feeling is clear: it offers a catchy design, a very well-presented interior and sufficient technical arguments so that the appeal is not just the price. The most affordable model in this first phase of GAC in Spain plays in the league of compact city cars with fully battery-electric propulsion, although by size and approach it can also compete with larger city cars and even traditional compacts.

It measures 4.27 metres long, 1.85 metres wide and 1.57 metres high, with a wheelbase of 2.75 metres. It is therefore not a small car; but it keeps reasonable dimensions for getting around the city without giving up a spacious interior.

The first visual impression is very positive. The design has personality, with a very clean front end, sharp headlights, modern proportions and a body that does not try to look like an SUV, but does convey more presence than a conventional city car. It is a car with a fresh, different and recognisable image, something important in a segment where there are more and more electric cars with very similar proposals.

An interior that surprises with quality and space

Where the Aion UT gains many points is inside. The initial feeling on seeing it up close is that of a very well-presented car. It does not convey the image of a basic car or an entry-level product. On the contrary, the interior design is also original and modern and very carefully finished. The dashboard is organised around a 14.6-inch central screen for the multimedia system and a digital instrument cluster, all with a clean integration and a good staging. There is also a clear focus on functionality. GAC advertises up to 24 storage spaces spread around the cabin, a figure that fits the car’s practical approach.

What is interesting is that the Aion UT does not try to win you over with just a large screen and minimalist design. The perceived quality of materials, fit and controls leaves a good impression. We will have to wait until we drive it to check insulation, ride quality and ergonomics in real use, but as a first static contact the car aims high.

GAC insists that the Aion UT has been developed with the European customer in mind — this is nothing new, practically every Chinese brand arriving in Europe says the same — “drawn” at the design centre the company has in Milan and, as we have already noted, produced in Austria. With its 2.75-metre wheelbase it offers very good interior space for its external dimensions, highlighting the rear seats, with good access and more room than one would expect in a 4.27-metre electric car. The boot is advertised at 440 litres with the rear seats in their normal position, expandable up to 1,600 litres with the seats folded. It is a very competitive figure, even against larger compacts.

204 CV electric motor and 60 kWh LFP battery

The Aion UT range is built around a simple mechanical configuration: a front-mounted electric motor, 150 kW of power — 204 CV — and 210 Nm of torque. The battery is LFP type, with 60 kWh net capacity. LFP chemistry tends to stand out for thermal stability, durability and contained cost, three important aspects in an electric car designed for daily use and competitive pricing.

The performance is sufficient for a car of this kind: it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 160 km/h. It does not aim to be a sports car, but with 204 CV it should move with great ease both in town and on the road. One of the key figures of the GAC Aion UT is its range. It is homologated for up to 430 km on the WLTP combined cycle and up to 620 km on the urban cycle. These figures place the Aion UT in an interesting position, because we are no longer talking about an electric car designed only for the city: it can cover daily journeys for several days without charging and tackle trips with reasonable planning.

In this respect it also performs when it comes to charging. It accepts up to 11 kW on alternating current and almost 90 kW on direct current. Charging times from 0 to 100% are just under 7 hours on AC, while using fast charging it recovers from 10 to 80% in about half an hour. It also offers V2L function of up to 3.3 kW, which allows external devices to be powered from the vehicle’s battery.

Technical specifications of the GAC Aion UT

• External dimensions: Length 4,270 mm, width 1,850 mm, height 1,575 mm
• Wheelbase 2,750 mm
• Boot 440 – 1,600 litres
• Power 204 CV
• Maximum torque 210 Nm
• LFP battery with a net capacity of 60 kWh
• WLTP combined range 430 km – Urban 620 km
• AC charging 11 kW – DC 87 kW (10-80% on DC 32 minutes)
• 0-100 km/h 7.3 seconds
• Top speed 160 km/h
• Turning circle 10.7 m

GAC Aion UT prices in Spain

The Aion UT will arrive in Spain with two trim levels: Luxury and Premium. The Aion UT Luxury has a recommended retail price of 30,995 euros, while the Aion UT Premium is priced at 31,995 euros. With the Plan Auto+ and CAES, the announced prices drop to 26,195 euros for the Luxury and 27,195 euros for the Premium. If the financing discount is added as well, the figures come down to 22,195 euros and 23,195 euros, respectively.

The general warranty announced for the vehicle is 8 years or 160,000 km. For the battery, the warranty rises to 200,000 km, guaranteeing at least 70% capacity. GAC also announces service intervals of 30,000 km or 24 months, another favourable detail for running costs.

As a first conclusion, the GAC Aion UT arrives with a combination that can work: attractive design, a spacious and well-presented interior, 204 CV, a 60 kWh battery with up to 430 km of WLTP range, a good boot, European manufacturing and an 8-year warranty. The most important part remains: driving it, to check real consumption, ride comfort, steering feel, braking, noise insulation, how the assistance systems work and behaviour on the road. But for now, in a first static contact, the Aion UT leaves a very favourable impression.

GAC Aion UT – Image gallery