What's the difference?
Yep, here comes another new brand.
The Australian new car market has been flooded with new car brands in recent years, not exclusively but predominantly from China. GAC is the latest, joining the likes of BYD, Deepal, Geely, GWM, Leapmotor, MG and Xpeng in an increasingly crowded market.
Quite simply, the market is now so crowded it means any new company with long-term aspirations will need to find a way to cut through. Being cheap alone won’t do it, nor will being stylish or nice to drive. No single trait will be enough, instead you will need to tick as many boxes as possible to secure any long-term security.
Which puts a lot of pressure on the Aion V, the brand’s mid-size, all-electric SUV that has just arrived in Australia. It will go head-to-head with the likes of the Geely EX5 and Leapmotor C10 at the more-affordable end of the electric SUV market. But does it tick enough boxes to make an impact? Read on to find out…
You’re getting flooded with new electric mid-size SUVs from China, I know. But if you’re struggling to recall them all, just remember – this is the good-looking one.
It’s the Deepal S07, the spearhead for the Deepal brand's new presence in Australia, and I reckon it looks damn sharp.
But is there substance to match the style? And can it take on the likes of the Kia EV5, Tesla Model Y and XPeng G6?
Let's find out, shall we?
Candidly, I questioned the logic behind GAC entering the Australian market, especially now given the seemingly non-stop influx of other brands. How could it really hope to stand a chance against so many similarly priced and similarly equipped rivals?
Well, the answer is by providing a better product. The Aion V is simply a better package than many of its rivals, Chinese and otherwise, at least based on our initial impressions.
It combines value and practicality but also adds a level of driving comfort and manners its Chinese rivals canβt match.
Is that enough to guarantee success? Not at all, but itβs a strong foundation to start with and at least gives GAC a fighting chance to not get lost in the crowd.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.
The Deepal S07 has the makings of a great family friendly EV, but with some quirks that really need to be ironed out.