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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Speaking at the launch event, Yu Yong, Senior Product Manager of AION Automobile Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd., expressed excitement about the AION V’s arrival. “After the successful introduction of the AION Y Plus in Singapore, we have seen an overwhelming response from customers,” he shared.

“Now, we are thrilled to bring in the next-generation AION V, a smart electric SUV that caters to a wide range of lifestyles. With over 10,000 units sold per month in China and 2,000 per month in Thailand, the AION V has proven to be a customer favourite.”

Further reinforcing the vehicle’s strengths, Ernest Tan, Deputy CEO of VINCAR GROUP, emphasised its standout features.

“The next-generation AION V is the fastest charging Category A COE EV SUV in Singapore and boasts the longest driving range in its class. It offers a spacious interior, an advanced AI-powered cabin, and premium features typically found in luxury segments,” he added.

For those stepping into the world of AION ownership, the AION V Luxury comes with a comprehensive package designed to ensure a worry-free experience. Owners will receive an 8-year warranty on the battery and electric drive unit or 240,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

The battery’s state of health is guaranteed to remain above 70% for up to 300,000 kilometres, and the entire vehicle is covered under an 8-year, 160,000-kilometre warranty. 

On top of that, owners will enjoy 10 years or 200,000 kilometres of free servicing, along with two years of complimentary in-car internet and lifetime over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. For additional peace of mind, 24-hour roadside assistance is included for five years.

Inspired by Aion’s ‘Cyber T-REX Design’, the AION V features LED headlights and taillights crafted with geometric shapes, while the muscular stance is further accentuated by 19-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels.

Buyers can select from eight vibrant exterior colours. Inside, the cabin can be personalised with three luxurious interior trim options: Jet Black, Olympus Brown, and Polar Beige.

The front seats offer an 8-point massage function with adjustable intensity and various massage modes, complete with heating and ventilation. The electric driver and front passenger seats come with three memory settings. 

High-touch surfaces in the cabin are wrapped in premium soft-touch materials. A built-in smart refrigerator keeps refreshments chilled or warmed as needed, while the floating cockpit design houses a 14.6-inch infotainment display paired with an 8.88-inch digital driver cluster.

Rear passengers aren’t forgotten either, with a B-pillar air inlet for enhanced cooling, multi-purpose folding tables, and reclining rear seats with up to 137 degrees of adjustability, making long road trips a breeze. 

AION’s latest EV technology ensures the V goes further and charges faster than ever before, with a WLTP range of 485 kilometres.

The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery enables DC fast charging up to 180kW, allowing the vehicle to regain 300 kilometres of range in just 15 minutes.

The lightweight battery and powertrain system reduce energy consumption to just 14.1kWh/100km. Meanwhile, the V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) function offers up to 3.3kW of power, allowing users to charge devices or even run appliances during outdoor activities. 

GAC AION takes safety seriously, equipping the AION V with a high-strength body structure, constructed with 72% ultra-high strength steel, heat-formed materials, and aluminium alloys to meet EURO NCAP 5-star safety standards. The 2.3-metre-long airbag curtain deploys in just 0.03 seconds, offering extended rollover protection. 

For added peace of mind, intelligent driver assistance features include L2 autonomous driving technology, intelligent voice control, and real-time security monitoring.

To mark its arrival in Singapore, GAC AION is offering a special promotion from 25 February to 5 March 2025.

Buyers will enjoy an additional $6,000 discount, a free upgrade to a 10-year battery warranty, and complimentary 10-year servicing. 

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