GAC Philippines has launched the new Aion UT EV in the country, adding a battery-electric hatchback to its local lineup for buyers looking at a smaller EV with enough space for daily family use, commuting, and weekend drives. Pre-reservations had opened through GAC dealerships ahead of the model’s formal arrival.

The Aion UT is not as small as its hatchback shape first suggests. At 4,270 mm long, it is closer in length to many modern subcompact hatchbacks and small crossovers than to the older idea of a city car. The more important number is its 2,750-mm wheelbase, which gives the EV a long cabin, and conversely, almost a meter's length of rear legroom. This maximized the five-seat layout and 440-liter cargo area, both of which make it easier to position as a daily-use hatchback rather than a short-range urban runabout.

With its 11.4-second 0 to 100 km/h sprint, the Aion UT Elite is not chasing hot hatch performance numbers, but its front-mounted motor, producing 136 PS and 145 Nm of torque, puts the focus on city driving, steady commuting, and pleasant daily use.

A 44.12-kWh LFP Magazine Battery gives the Aion UT a 400-km NEDC range (approximately 320 to 350-kms on the WLTC cycle), which should be enough to cover several days of normal city use between charges. The 64-kW DC fast-charging capability (via a CCS2 port) is more relevant for public charging stops, with a 30 to 80 percent charge taking 24 minutes. AC charging is rated at 6.6 kW, while vehicle-to-load capability allows the car to power external devices.

The underpinnings follow a familiar small-car formula, with front MacPherson suspension and a rear torsion beam. That layout is common in hatchbacks and small crossovers because it keeps the rear end compact while leaving enough room for passengers and cargo. The Aion UT Elite also gets electric power steering, front and rear disc brakes, an electronic parking brake, AutoHold, stability control, hill hold control, ABS, and EBD. Its 215/60R16 tires should also give it a useful sidewall height for daily road comfort.

GAC has equipped the Aion UT with a long active safety package for this segment. The system includes adaptive cruise control, integrated cruise assistance, intelligent high beam control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, emergency lane keeping, blind spot detection, door open warning, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

Six airbags are fitted, covering dual front airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. Other safety equipment includes ISOFIX child seat mounts, front and rear seatbelt reminders, indirect tire pressure monitoring, an engine immobilizer, and a vehicle anti-theft system. Automatic braking when reversing at low speed is also included, a useful feature for tight parking spaces and low-speed maneuvering.

The cabin follows the screen-led layout expected in newer EVs, with an 8.88-inch LCD instrument display and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with Bluetooth, in-car Wi-Fi hotspot capability, smartphone app remote control, online navigation, online voice control, six speakers, a 12V outlet, and front Type-A and Type-C ports.

GAC also gave the Aion UT a few practical cabin features that matter in local use. Rear air vents are standard, the rear seat has a center armrest and center headrest, and the 60:40 split-folding rear seats help when carrying longer items. The heat pump and PM2.5 filter add another layer of comfort, especially for owners who will use the car heavily in city traffic.

The exterior equipment is also more complete than what some buyers may expect from a compact EV hatchback. The Aion UT has LED headlights, automatic headlights, LED rear lighting, a rear LED fog light, auto-sensing frameless front wipers, a rear wiper, power-folding side mirrors, and power windows with one-touch up and down operation for the front and second rows. Remote window control is also available through the mobile app.

Available colors include Champs-Elysees Beige, Emerald Green, Rococo White, Seine Silver, and a two-tone Rococo White finish. All versions use a black interior.

The Aion UT joins GAC Philippines’ new-energy vehicle portfolio under its local GAC Motor, Aion, and Hyptec lineup. EV warranty coverage is eight years or 160,000 km, while the core three-electric system has separate coverage of eight years or 200,000 km. New owners also receive two years of free roadside assistance.