First Drive: Aion V aims to bring touch of class to crowded field of electric Chinese SUVs

What is it?

Over the last couple of years, it feels as though a new car brand has arrived on these shores from China every other day. We’ve already seen the likes of Jaecoo, Omoda and BYD make a significant impact on the British car market and the latest firm to have its swing is Aion.

Part of the established GAC Group, the brand’s first entrant here is an electric C-Segment SUV, called the V. The brand has big plans for the UK, with bosses claiming to ‘set a new standard’ for the automotive industry.

But have they managed to do that? We’ve been driving the V to find out.

What’s new?

In a word? Everything. As Aion’s first stab at cracking the UK market, it is hard to compare the V to what has come before. One thing that cannot be doubted, though, is the brand’s determination to be competitive in what is already a crowded market. The car itself offers a good level of tech and comfort, but bosses are hoping that its ‘complete ownership proposition’ will help it stand out from the crowd.

Central to that is the ‘Aion Great 8’ package, which offers eight years of warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MOT cover as standard. The package is one of the most generous on the market and is likely to appeal to buyers who are as yet unfamiliar with the brand.

What’s under the bonnet?

The V is powered by a 75.3kWh LFP battery which gives a claimed range of 317 miles. In terms of power output, the system produces 201bhp and has a top speed of 99mph.

While that performance is far from rapid, charging at least is speedy, with 30 to 80 per cent taking just 18 minutes on 180kW DC power.

What’s it like to drive?

This has been something of a mixed bag for the influx of Chinese brands over the last few years, with many arriving on these shores with vehicles that have primarily been designed for Asian roads, rather than UK highways. To combat this, Aion has deployed both British and Chinese designers to make the car slightly stiffer and more suited to its environment.

While you would certainly not describe the V as ‘sporty’, it is very smooth and very comfortable. Our test route through rural Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire involved some seriously pot-holed roads and the Aion remained composed and relaxed throughout. Body roll is relatively well-controlled too, avoiding much of the wallowing feeling that comes with a number of this car’s rivals.

How does it look?

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but from a personal perspective, we’re not too sure about the outward appearances of the V. At the rear, there is a strong whiff of the Dacia Duster with its high roof and funky lights. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I’m not sure it’s a comparison that Aion would welcome for its more upmarket V.

From the side, the car has chunky black wheel arches, hinting at a more rugged approach, which don’t really match up with the sleek invisible door handles which are a feature of so many Chinese cars. Up front, the smooth, rounded nose and square headlights also feel a bit mismatched but the car is at least more memorable to look at than many of its anonymous-feeling rivals.

What’s it like inside?

At first glance, the Aion V feels like a lot of Chinese cars inside the cabin, with the vehicle opting for very few buttons, giving it a cleaner and more modern look. While this may look minimalist and stylish at first glance, it does end up distracting you from the road as you try and wade through endless menus in order to change the temperature.

This drawback aside, it is hard not to be impressed by the inside of the Aion. Everywhere you look, there are plush, soft-touch materials, which extend across both the front and back of the car for an incredibly premium feel. There are also some nice chrome touches, including the door handles, which add a bit of class to an already impressive environment, and the sort of room that you would usually only expect from larger D-segment SUVs like the BMW X5.

What’s the spec like?

The V kicks off at £36,450 and for that, you do get a lot of car for your money. As standard, drivers get a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8.9-inch driver display, and a 360-degree camera system. There is also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car we drove came with the optional £1,495 ‘Premium Pack which adds touches like a built-in cool/heat box and durable work table on the back of one front seat, designed to hold a laptop while you wait for the car to charge.

One of the more amusing moments of the drive came when the car thought I might be becoming a bit drowsy and suggested we ‘take a nap together’. We weren’t expecting to be propositioned by an SUV in the middle of the day, but there you go!

Verdict

Overall, the Aion V represents a strong first attempt for this latest brand from China. The car brings impressive levels of comfort and spec for its price point, even if the styling may leave a little to be desired from a personal perspective.

Time will tell if the brand has what it takes to make it in what is an increasingly crowded market, but the firm has certainly given itself a fighting chance off the bat.