GAC Aion UT EV Starts At $9,600 With Up To 260 Miles Of Range
While this little electric hatchback is cheap, it has all the right ingredients to be a compelling buy
March 4, 2025 at 07:10
- Driving the BYD Dolphin rival is a 134 hp electric motor and 34-44 kWh battery packs.
- The Chinese brand says the flagship model is good for 260 miles (420 km) of range.
- The Aion UT EV is very efficient, rated at 11.4 kWh/100 km.
When the GAC Aion UT was officially unveiled last November, expectations were modest, if not downright skeptical. After all, it’s entering a crowded market where established players like BYD and MG have already set the bar for affordable EVs. But surprise, surprise: not only is the Aion UT here, but it’s also cheaper than we thought.
Originally pegged to start around $13,800 in China, this little electric contender can now be had for as low as ¥69,800 (about $9,600 at current exchange rates), with the top-spec model ringing in at ¥101,800 (~$14,000). If you’re keeping track, that’s well below the price of many used cars, let alone a brand-new EV.
Given the car’s low price, one may expect it to be void of any creature comforts, offer no performance, and have a very limited range. But as Chinese automakers have consistently shown in recent years, they’ve mastered the art of packing affordable EVs with decent range and technology features. In the case of the Aion UT, it will be offered with 34.8 kWh and 44 kWh battery packs, the latter of which is offered in 44.257 kWh, 44.12 kWh, and 44.133 kWh configurations.
Read: GAC Aion S Black Dragon Max Is A Fast & Furious EV Straight From The 2000s
GAC claims the car can cover up to 205 miles (330 km) on a single charge in base trim and up to 260 miles (420 km) in the flagship version. While China’s testing cycle tends to be quite generous, to say the least, GAC cites a combined consumption rate of 11.4 kWh/100 km. The battery packs charge from 30% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes, and power is supplied by a 134-hp electric motor.
The design of the Aion UT could be best described as cute and includes a handful of vibrant colors with contrasting white roofs. The front includes soft headlights with incorporated LED DRLs, as well as four additional LED driving lights on the bumper, similar to older Kia Cerato models. Standard versions will be sold with 16-inch wheels, but larger 17-inch shoes will also be offered for higher-spec models.
The cabin is impressively equipped, considering the car’s price point. All Aion UT models come standard with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, and a voice assistant. It also includes Level 2 driver-assistance capabilities, in-built WiFi, a panoramic sunroof, and supports over-the-air software updates.
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