ByUDI ETZION/WALLA!

Price: NIS 167,000 

Competitors: BYD Atto 3, Lynk & Co 02, Geely EX5, Lifan C10

Pros: Design, space, range, comfort, and warranty

Cons: Ergonomics, performance

Score: 8.5/10

Recently, no new Chinese electric car brand had launched in Israel — but a launch has taken place: GAC returned to the country after a five-year break, operating here under the AION brand. The lineup currently includes three models, with the Aion V being the most prominent, the only one with full European certification, aimed at the mid-market segment.

In China, it is marketed as the Toyota bZ3X, with GAC as the local partner of the Japanese company. This is also why the local license is held by Toyota’s importer in Israel, the Union Group. The European version looks like the Chinese model and has the same dimensions, comes with a larger battery, but lacks LiDAR— a change made by many Chinese manufacturers. Are Chinese safety standards higher than European ones, or is this a political decision by one of the parties?

The Aion V enters a crowded market including BYD Atto 3, Lynk & Co 02, Geely EX5, ZEEKR X, Lifan C10—and apologies if we missed anyone. Since Kia Niro EV imports stopped, no non-Chinese brands are represented, certainly no European ones. Another sign of the growing dominance of Chinese cars.

Does the Aion V offer anything new compared to established competitors? Definitely.

Design: Aside from the closed and somewhat banal front, which many EVs already avoid, the V features a contemporary, squared, SUV-like design, reminiscent of the Subaru Forester. This aligns with its relatively generous dimensions: 4.60 meters long, 1.87 meters wide, 1.69 meters high, with a 2.78-meter wheelbase. It’s larger than the BYD Atto 3 and Lynk & Co 02, similar in size to the Geely EX5, but smaller than the Lifan C10.

Too much control via the screen and no glove compartment. Material quality is good
Too much control via the screen and no glove compartment. Material quality is good (credit: Walla System / Udi Etzion)

Interior: A blend of typical Chinese design with improvements in ergonomics and quality. It has a 14.6-inch multimedia screen and a smaller 8.8-inch instrument cluster, large enough to display driving data, maps, or a visualization of the vehicle and its surroundings.

Material quality is better than average, and the beige color of the test vehicle enhances a premium feel. But, as usual, there are no physical control buttons. There’s a fixed strip of buttons on the screen for climate control and other functions, though some lead to additional screens.

Even opening the panoramic roof requires the screen, as does adjusting the mirrors, combined with steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay is available, but Android Auto is “coming soon”; meanwhile, the importer provides a dongle for wireless connection, occupying one USB port. There’s no trip computer to track consumption over time; stats reset after each drive when the car is turned off.

Ample space even in the back
Ample space even in the back (credit: Walla System / Udi Etzion)

Seating is high, and the driver’s position is easily adjusted electrically. The parking brake doesn’t release until the driver fastens the seatbelt. There’s no glove compartment, only storage between the front seats.

Rear legroom and headroom are excellent. There’s an air vent, but only one USB port. Seatback angle can be adjusted.

Equipment includes a 14.6-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and a local dongle for Android Auto, 8.88-inch instrument cluster, 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic roof with electric shade, electric driver’s seat adjustment, electric tailgate, and smart key.

The wheel arches eat into the cargo space, and there’s no spare wheel despite available space
The wheel arches eat into the cargo space, and there’s no spare wheel despite available space (credit: Walla System / Udi Etzion)

Trunk: 427 liters, generous by Chinese standards but not huge for a vehicle of this size. There’s lighting and a hook, and the fifth door is, of course, electric. Despite space for a spare wheel under the trunk, the importer opted to sell the car with an air inflation kit. Buyers are advised to invest in a spare wheel themselves.

Safety: 5 out of 5 stars in the European crash test. Features include seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure correction, blind-spot monitoring and collision prevention, automatic high beams, and child presence alert.

High weight and low torque hurt acceleration, making most competitors quicker
High weight and low torque hurt acceleration, making most competitors quicker (credit: Walla System / Udi Etzion)

Engine and Performance: The car has a nearly standard 204 hp with 24.4 kg·m torque. Performance is good in Comfort mode and even better in Sport, but neither gives the feeling of a strong kick during acceleration. On the other hand, this is a family crossover, not a Tesla Performance. Some direct competitors offer better performance.

The Aion V’s standout feature is its range: A relatively large 75 kWh battery provides a claimed 510 km, the longest in this price range. In practice, we achieved 450 km, still impressive—over 100 km more than, for example, the Atto 3.

Fast charging is available at 180 kW, slow charging at 11 kW. It also supports V2L (vehicle-to-load) for powering external devices from the car battery.

Comfort and Handling: Ride comfort is good, although suspension could be quieter. Handling leans toward safety, considering its dimensions and base weight of 1,800 kg; it is not a light compact. Aside from the suspension, the ride is quiet.

Not the revolutionary EV from the future we were waiting for, but a practical crossover that focuses on what matters
Not the revolutionary EV from the future we were waiting for, but a practical crossover that focuses on what matters (credit: Walla System / Udi Etzion)

Bottom Line: The V stands out in a crowded market thanks to its long range and extended warranty. Beyond the standard 8-year battery coverage, the car itself is also covered for 8 years, ensuring value even by the vehicle’s third owner.

With a price of NIS 167,000, it’s relatively competitive compared to most rivals, though identical to the well-equipped Geely EX5 from the same importer.

Ergonomics could improve, but in terms of space, equipment, and value for money, the Aion V lands straight at the top of its class.

Aion V: Technical Specs

Engine: Electric, 204 hp, 24.4 kg·m

Transmission: Automatic, direct front-wheel drive

Electric:

Battery capacity (kWh): 75.3

Slow charging (AC, kW): 11

Fast charging (DC, kW): 180

Performance (Manufacturer):

0-100 km/h (s): 7.9

Top speed (km/h): 160

Combined range (official, km): 510

Combined range (test, km): 450

Dimensions:

Length (m): 4.605

Width (m): 1.88

Height (m): 1.69

Wheelbase (m): 2.775

Weight: 1,880 kg

Safety:

European crash test rating: 5/5 stars

Active safety: Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure correction, blind-spot monitoring and collision prevention, automatic high beams, child presence alert

Warranty:

8 years or 160,000 km for the vehicle, 8 years or 200,000 km for the battery