First Drive: Aion V aims to bring touch of class to crowded field of electric Chinese SUVs

What is it?

Part of the established GAC Group, the brand’s first entrant here is an electric C-Segment SUV, called the V. The brand has big plans for the UK, with bosses claiming to ‘set a new standard’ for the automotive industry.

But have they managed to do that? We’ve been driving the V to find out.

What’s new?

Central to that is the ‘Aion Great 8’ package, which offers eight years of warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MOT cover as standard. The package is one of the most generous on the market and is likely to appeal to buyers who are as yet unfamiliar with the brand.

What’s under the bonnet?

While that performance is far from rapid, charging at least is speedy, with 30 to 80 per cent taking just 18 minutes on 180kW DC power.

What’s it like to drive?

While you would certainly not describe the V as ‘sporty’, it is very smooth and very comfortable. Our test route through rural Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire involved some seriously pot-holed roads and the Aion remained composed and relaxed throughout. Body roll is relatively well-controlled too, avoiding much of the wallowing feeling that comes with a number of this car’s rivals.

How does it look?

From the side, the car has chunky black wheel arches, hinting at a more rugged approach, which don’t really match up with the sleek invisible door handles which are a feature of so many Chinese cars. Up front, the smooth, rounded nose and square headlights also feel a bit mismatched but the car is at least more memorable to look at than many of its anonymous-feeling rivals.

What’s it like inside?

This drawback aside, it is hard not to be impressed by the inside of the Aion. Everywhere you look, there are plush, soft-touch materials, which extend across both the front and back of the car for an incredibly premium feel. There are also some nice chrome touches, including the door handles, which add a bit of class to an already impressive environment, and the sort of room that you would usually only expect from larger D-segment SUVs like the BMW X5.

What’s the spec like?

One of the more amusing moments of the drive came when the car thought I might be becoming a bit drowsy and suggested we ‘take a nap together’. We weren’t expecting to be propositioned by an SUV in the middle of the day, but there you go!

Verdict

Overall, the Aion V represents a strong first attempt for this latest brand from China. The car brings impressive levels of comfort and spec for its price point, even if the styling may leave a little to be desired from a personal perspective.

Time will tell if the brand has what it takes to make it in what is an increasingly crowded market, but the firm has certainly given itself a fighting chance off the bat.