2026 Gac E9 Reviews

Chinese giant GAC might be new to Australia, but its ambitious plans to be a top-ten automaker here in just five years will be led by a brand-new dual-cab ute.This incoming model, which GAC Australia CEO Kevin Shu says will be on the market in 2027, will be a brand-new ground-up model built with Australia in mind from the beginning.“As you know, our promise to the market is 10 new models in five years, so up until now, with the Aion UT [hatchback] we have four models, and for next year we will have three models, including a larger SUV and a pick-up truck,” Shu said.Shu wasn’t forthcoming on more details on the under-development ute model, he did confirm to CarsGuide that it would be developed under the main GAC brand, which predominantly specialises in combustion and hybrid models, rather than the EV-focused Aion or Hyptec sub brands.This opens the door to a more conventional combustion-led effort for the upcoming new ute challenger. Tightening emissions laws in Australia and globally, plus rising fuel prices, there is a strong chance for a hybrid, too.As GAC’s director of aftersales, Andrew Ratajczak says: “At GAC we have everything."“We’re not just stuck with PHEV, we’re not just stuck with BEV, we have such a wide spread of variation for our drivelines and our power supplier source for drivelines. It gives us such versatility to the market.“If the data comes back that this is where the demand is, we can do it. We don’t have to develop something unique - we can put something together out of the box from what we already have in our portfolio.”As for styling, we’ve had our digital artist Thanos Pappas come up with a ute based on the tough-looking design aesthetic of the brand’s GS8 large SUV, which seems the obvious fit for the “large SUV’ product Shu is suggesting for a 2027 launch.The main thing Shu confirmed is the new ute will break cover imminently at least in concept form at the Beijing motor show in late April.GAC has the advantage of seeing the different levels of impact its rivals are having on the extremely competitive landscape in Australia, which one Kia executive described as “the Olympic Games of utes”.BYD’s Shark 6 plug-in hybrid was the runaway success of 2025, shifting an impressive 18,073 deliveries despite its less-than-industry-standard towing capacity and payload.In comparison GWM’s Cannon Alpha managed a lesser number for the year, with just 2524 sales including the PHEV.These two ground-breaking hybrid utes differ in offering the two prevailing kinds of hybridisation, with the Shark 6 focusing on a bigger battery between the frame rails, driving the axles primarily via electric motors, while the GWM Cannon Alpha maintains a traditional gearbox, low-range transfer case, and solid linkages to each axle, with the electric motor inside the transmission.Chery will be the next to mix-up the space later in 2026 with its unique diesel plug-in hybrid system, which will also focus on mechanical ability rather than sheer battery size, in a similar vein to the GWM ute.Meanwhile other rivals provide an idea of what not to do. The middling success of Ford’s PHEV Ranger suggests buyers are looking for the longer range the Shark 6 offers, while Kia’s Tasman is a cautionary tale giving buyers what they want on the design front.One advantage for GAC, which the brands executives are keen to remind us, is the company’s deep ties with Toyota. It says this will help set it apart from other Chinese automakers when it comes to build quality, reliability and after-sales support, with the brand’s planned 100-strong dealer network and parts supply arrangements being modelled off shared experience with Toyota in China.The hybrid ute space looks to intensify massively by 2027, with JAC introducing its plug-in imminently, and Nissan’s China-built Frontier Pro being strongly hinted at by the Japanese brand as part of a dual-prong ute offering in Australia.Needless to say, GAC’s ute effort will have to be headline-grabbing if it wants to break into the market with such tough competition.

Is the ‘uncool’ people mover on the verge of a renaissance?New arrivals and rising sales suggest the once daggy family transport could become the new battleground in the Australian market.While large, seven-seat SUVs remain the preferred option for Australian families, people mover sales were up 9.2 per cent in 2025 and have started 2026 with a surge, a whopping 41.1 per cent jump on last year.While the Kia Carnival remains the undisputed champion of people movers, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of its market, there is a new wave of more premium rivals that are catering to a specific audience looking for spacious and luxurious travel.The Chinese brands are, unsurprisingly, leading this charge, as people movers are a much more popular choice in its native market. The likes of the Zeekr 009, LDV Mifa, GAC M8 PHEV and upcoming Denza D9 are all offering space and premium features for both family and business buyers.These add to the likes of the Lexus LM, which is available with an opulent four-seat layout, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class, giving buyers more choice.Meanwhile in the more family/fleet-orientated segment of the market, the Carnival competes against the Hyundai Staria, new Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan and Caddy.And, if that’s not enough, there are the all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Mercedes-Benz EQV to expand the appeal of the people mover even further.So what makes people movers so popular, especially the Carnival?According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s head of product planning, it’s the simple fact they are bigger and more practical than a seven-seat SUV for families that need the space.“I think our dealers do a pretty good job of conveying that while there might be a high desirability of an SUV, because everyone has got one… but for most families a Carnival is a better proposition,” explains Rivero.“For a family, fundamentally a Carnival does a better job.”The combination of more interior space, especially in the third row and a practical boot, as well as the sliding rear doors, are the standout areas where a people mover has the edge over an SUV, says Rivero.“For the most part dealers are able to convey the benefits of the Carnival over an SUV, unless the buyer has a need for four-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s probably the marketing that has driven that SUV popularity.”Rivero added: “Those that discovered the benefits of a people mover, those who have a family, realise quickly how good it can be.”Speaking to CarsGuide in August 2025, Zeekr Australia boss Frank Li admitted he was surprised by the initial slow uptake for the 009 given its popularity in overseas markets but expressed confidence in its long-term prospects.“Before actually, we valued the Australian market very much as well, but you know previously we only had two models and that is quite a niche segment in Australia,” Li explained.“Even though 009 performance is very good – it’s brilliant in south east Asia, like Hong Kong, Malay Thailand, we’re dominating this segment in this market – but the Australian market is obviously not a traditional people mover market. We believe that slowly, slowly our customers will love 009, but that takes time.”The more premium end of the market is a growing space for these more luxurious people movers, and it’s a key reason why Denza (BYD’s luxury sub-brand) is going to launch the D9 in Australia.Paul Ellis, spokesperson for Denza, said the brand’s move into the market is less about attracting fleet buyers and instead a more corporate audience, smaller operators that do luxury transfers and upmarket hotels, as well as families looking for space and comfort.“They’re a niche product, but within that niche there is quite a lot of demand for them,” Ellis told CarsGuide.

Pricing for the GAC Aion UT electric hatch has been revealed, exposing a new entrant to the budget EV segment.The Toyota Corolla-sized electric hatchback will launch in the second quarter of 2026 starting from $31,990, before on-road costs, making it one of the cheapest new EVs on the market.It is scheduled for a launch in the second quarter of 2026, but GAC Australia has been contacted for comment to get a firm date on the commencement of deliveries.It is slightly more expensive than the base BYD Dolphin, but entry variants of the Dolphin have a 70kW/180Nm motor, with a driving range of 340km.Given the Aion UT scores a 150kW/210Nm motor and 430km of driving range from its 60kWh battery, a more fair comparison is to the range-topping Dolphin Premium.This version of the Dolphin has a similar power output and driving range to the base Aion UT, with GAC’s car $5000 cheaper.The GWM Ora will be another of the Aion UT's rivals, which wears a starting price of $33,990, drive-away.GAC has brought across a higher trim level for the Aion UT, which starts from $35,990, before on-roads. Its key details appear identical, with the major upgrades expected to be increased specifications, including items like a panoramic sunroof.2026 GAC Aion UT pricing AustraliaAll variants of the Aion UT are front-wheel drive.GAC sells an even more affordable base variant of the Aion UT in its Chinese home market, with a 100kW motor and a 34.8kWh battery. At this stage, it appears the brand will not bring that car across to Australia.The Aion UT is the latest GAC model to come to Australia as part of the brand’s ambitions to launch 10 new models in the next five years.GAC currently offers three other models Down Under, which are its Emzoom combustion hatchback, Aion V mid-size fully-electric SUV and the M8 plug-in hybrid people mover.

There's a new people mover but its offered with a unique PHEV powertrain which positions it in a weird corner of the market. Has GAC made a compelling argument for its new M8?

Another city-centric, entry-level electric vehicle (EV) has been confirmed for Australia.China’s GAC has confirmed it’s launching the Aion UT small electric hatchback in the second quarter of 2026.Pricing, technical specifications and the full equipment list for Australian-specification models will be detailed closer to the launch, but when it arrives it’ll go up against rivals like the BYD Atto 1 and Dolphin, plus the Geely EX2, GWM Ora and MG4 Urban.All of these models have been vying for the title of cheapest EV in Australia. This title currently goes to the BYD Atto 1 which starts at $23,990 before on-road costs.Globally the Aion UT is offered with either a 100kW or 150kW front-mounted electric motor, which is fed by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery ranging from 34.8kWh to 60kWh.Measuring in at 4270mm long, 1850mm wide and 1575mm tall with a 2750mm wheelbase, the Aion UT is sized between the Toyota Yaris and Corolla hatchbacks.The Aion UT will slot under the Aion V mid-size SUV in GAC’s EV model line-up locally and features similar design cues.Inside there’s a 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen multimedia system.GAC only arrived in Australia late last year but in a few months it will already have four vehicles on sale locally – the Aion V mid-size electric SUV, Emzoom small petrol-powered SUV, M8 PHEV people mover and the Aion UT electric hatchback.GAC Australia President Kevin Shu has confirmed plans to bring “more than 10 models” to the Australian market in the next five years.There are also plans to have a total of 100 GAC dealers around Australia by the end of 2030.“Our strategy of ‘In Australia, For Australia’, will see GAC bring more than 10 models to the Australian market in the coming five years,” said Shu.“The GAC Aion UT showcases the strength of GAC’s product portfolio, combining elegant design with clever technology that genuinely enhances the daily lives of its owners.“I have no doubt this model will resonate strongly with Australians seeking an intelligent, city-focused vehicle to navigate the nation’s iconic urban landscapes.“We look forward to continuing to grow along with our customers here in Australia.”

You can't fit 10kg of dirt into a 5kg bag. That feels like an appropriate metaphor for the Australian car industry, where seemingly every few weeks a new car brand arrives to stake its claim on a piece of the market.

2025 was certainly the year of the new car brand coming to Australia.

The new-generation Toyota HiLux is among five models that have just learned their safety fate.

Another budget-friendly mid-size SUV has just been unveiled in China.

GAC is just the latest in a long list of new car brands from China trying to make a mark in Australia. But while it may be late to the party, it has arrived in style, with the all-new Emzoom small SUV proving to be a surprising performer. We review this new small SUV to see how it stacks up against the growing list of competitors.