If first impressions were everything, the Aion V would be the charming new neighbour who’s just moved in.
You might not know their backstory, but something about them tells you they’ve got a good head on their shoulders. That, in a nutshell, is Aion’s new all-electric SUV.
First Impressions Count
From the get-go, the Aion V makes its presence known. Unlike earlier models that wore the rather cryptic “G” emblem of parent company GAC, this one wears its name proudly.
Size-wise, the V sits comfortably in the mid-size SUV camp. At 4.6 metres long, it outstretches the BYD Atto 3, its direct rival. The design leans into that familiar Chinese EV playbook: squared-off wheel arches, a grille-less nose, and flush door handles that rise when beckoned.
Chunky fenders, roof rails, and squinty LED DRLs give it just the right amount of rugged chic, giving the impression you could park it on the grass and it won’t look out of place.
Plush, Practical, and Then Some
Step inside, and the V quietly pulls the rug out from under its better-known rivals. There’s an unexpected richness to the cabin thanks to soft-touch materials from the dashboard to the doors, a hefty, leather-trimmed steering wheel, and seats that come with power adjustment, memory settings, ventilation, and massage.
Rear passengers aren’t forgotten either. The wheelbase measures a generous 2.75 metres, giving enough legroom for the lankiest among us. There’s even a sturdy fold-out table that’ll happily support a laptop or your late-night prata order.
There’s also a ‘snooze mode’, which is equal parts charming and clever. Activate it from the infotainment screen, and the front seats recline fully, the volume dips to a soft lull, and a chime wakes you gently when your kids’ tuition class ends.
Then there’s the quirkiness. Forget a glovebox, for that’s been swapped for a mini-fridge under the centre armrest, capable of both chilling to -15°C or warming to 50°C. Parents of young children will find it especially useful to keep a spare ration of warm milk.
The infotainment system is functional and intuitive, with key features pinned to the bottom of the touchscreen. Apple CarPlay requires a cable for now, but a wireless update is supposedly on the way.
Storage-wise, the boot is sensibly square and can be expanded further by lowering the floor. Overall, practicality shines through in areas that matter.
Easygoing and Efficient
The Singapore-spec delivers a modest 100kW (134bhp), in order to keep it safely tucked into Category A COE. It feels adequately sprightly for our roads, but does puff out slightly once you start to approach triple digits.
The suspension is tuned well for adverse road conditions, and the car’s insulation prevents the majority of external noise and vibrations from inhibiting your passengers.
Regenerative braking is adjustable, though it stops short of full one-pedal driving. The suite of safety systems is comprehensive: lane keep assist, driver monitoring, and adaptive cruise control that handles stop-and-go traffic gracefully. That said, some of the alerts veer into the overprotective nanny category. Thankfully, a few quick taps on the touchscreen tame the most intrusive ones.
And while DC charging at up to 180kW is a huge plus, adding up to 300km in just 15 minutes if you find the right charger, AC charging tops out at a standard 6.6kW.
One gripe we had with the car was the inability to maintain a trip reading for the entire test drive; the trip computer resets every time you start the car.
However, with plenty of battery life left after an extensive test drive, we’d wager that the claimed 485km range isn’t too far-fetched.
Premium Feel, Mass Appeal
The Aion V comes across as a thoughtfully engineered, almost premium-feeling SUV. It simply shows up with polish, purpose, and just enough personality to keep things interesting.
While some of its features feel whimsical and others overly ambitious, the whole package gels together surprisingly well.
For buyers looking for an EV that balances comfort, value, and quiet confidence (and who aren’t fussed about badges or badge snobbery), the Aion V is worth a long, thoughtful look.
Technical Specifications
Aion V
Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 100 kW (134 bhp)
Torque: 240 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
Acceleration: 9.8 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Top Speed: 160 km/h
Battery Capacity: 75.3 kWh
Drive Range: 485 km
Energy Consumption: 5.8 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$174,988 without COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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