Gac Aion V vs Lifestyle Reconn R2

What's the difference?

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 can’t match.

Is that enough to guarantee success? Not at all, but it’s 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.

This is one of the campers that very finely straddles that line between camper-trailer and caravan. It’s light-weight and simple to use, even if (and mostly because) it lacks the wide-open comforts of a traditional caravan. It’s very capable, well-equipped and very well made. 

If you do like to escape the great outdoors occasionally while camping (or someone you dearly love, does), this is well worth a look. It’ll follow you just about anywhere and your camp life will be better for it.

In terms of practicality there’s a handy space for a wireless smartphone charging pad, and that previously mentioned heated or cooled centre console box. Oddly, though, there is no traditional glove box. Instead there are just a pair of bag hooks ahead of the front seat passenger.

Space is good for a mid-size SUV, with a roomy front and respectable space in the second row. It would comfortably accommodate four adults, so would be a good option for families with older children.

As for the boot, it’s a generous 427 litres and has multiple adjustable floor heights available. Disappointingly, even though it has space for a spare, potentially even a full-size one, it only has a tyre repair kit. That might be fine in some markets around the world, but in the vastness of Australia, that is not the best option. Even a space-saver spare would be a better bet.

The Reconn’s interior is interesting, as unlike most modern caravans, there’s not a lot of free space in here, thanks largely, to the height of the bed. It sits right at the top of the camper, like a second-storey mezzanine. To get in, you have to climb onto the dinette lounge, or use the fold-down step built into the base. 

There is also a small dinette and lounge space with a folding table that’s comfortable enough for two to sit at ease and read or eat dinner, but I get the feeling Lifestyle doesn’t expect you to be spending the majority of your time in here – that’s not what this camper is about.

Above the dinette there’s cabinet space, while all the dinette seats lift up to reveal more storage areas. The dinette closest to the door has two drawers in it, to make accessing the storage easy. 

If this floorplan isn’t for you, there are three other options. One features a pair of bunks, another an ensuite with shower and toilet. The third packs both the bunks and the ensuite all in, somehow – it’s not an overly large space.

This is perhaps the area where the Aion V surprised the most. One of the most consistent qualities of these new Chinese-developed models is their incompatibility with Australia’s unique road conditions. They have a tendency to lack comfortable, controlled suspension and well-weighted and consistent steering.

That’s not the case with the Aion V, with GAC clearly taking the benefits from the partnerships it has with Toyota and Honda to learn what international markets prefer. Is this a clear standout, class-leading SUV dynamically? No. But it is above-average in the way it rides and handles.

The suspension is well resolved and feels comfortable to live with, while the steering is nice and direct, which will make navigating the cities, suburbs and open roads more easy and enjoyable. 

There is still some fine-tuning that could make it better, but overall the Aion V leaves a positive first impression. 

I towed it behind a RAM 1500 Laramie, which was serious overkill for a trailer of this size and weight, but it did all the right things. Because it has an adjustable air-suspension underneath, its ride is quite compliant and soft and its height can be adjusted to suit the terrain, or even lowered to reduce air resistance. 

Off-road, it posed little trouble, although the tracks we did were mild, at worst. It has no shortage of clearance (and can be dialled up further if you are short of it) and is fitted with a Cruisemaster DO35 off-road hitch.

One of its best off-road features, though, is the completely clean underside. There’s actually no plumbing, tanks, wiring or fittings under the floor or exposed to the elements, river crossings, dust or stones. The camper’s two tanks, batteries, pumps, electricals and plumbing are all contained within a compartment under the driver’s-side storage section. There’s even room in there for expansion – it’ll fit another water tank, another batteries and extra electrical gizmos easily.