GAC Aion Y: characteristics that really matter before buying

A few years ago, GAC Aion Y was not talked about in Ukraine at all. And now it's starting to appear in news feeds, on the road, in video reviews. And this is no coincidence. Chinese electric vehicles have long ceased to be something dubious, and the Aion Y looks like an example of how "affordable" can be practical, spacious, and technologically mature at the same time.

This is not a Tesla or a Hyundai. But it is an electric crossover that can actually replace a family petrol car without requiring a space budget. If you are interested in what the GAC Aion Y is capable of and how it attracts drivers, this article is for you.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

Platform.

GAC decided not to take the path of least resistance. Instead of taking an off-the-shelf platform from a petrol crossover and adapting it to an electric drive, they created a separate electric architecture from scratch. This is how GEP 2.0 was born - a proprietary platform designed exclusively for electric vehicles.

This is immediately noticeable as soon as you get in the car. There are no protrusions or strange bends in the floor - everything is smooth, well thought out and logical. The driver and passengers really have more legroom, and the trunk has the correct shape, without any "surprises" under the raised floor. This platform also made it possible to better arrange the batteries, place the electronics closer to the wheels and improve crash safety. For a car in this price segment, it's impressive.

Dimensions that do not seem large, but inside are spacious

On paper, the GAC Aion Y looks quite compact. Its length is just over four metres, or 4410 mm to be exact. In the Plus version, this figure increases to 4535 mm. The width is 1870 mm and the height is 1645 mm. All of this is based on a wheelbase of 2750 mm, which, as practice shows, is the main reason for the tangible space in the cabin.

From the outside, the car looks familiar - like just another city electric crossover. But when you open the door and get in, the first thing you want to say is: "Wow, there's really a lot of space here." People under 190 cm tall will have no problems either in the front or in the back. The flat floor further enhances the feeling of spaciousness. By the way, the front seats can be lowered almost horizontally - a kind of "sleep mode". A useful feature for long-distance charging or just when you need a little rest on the road.

What's under the hood? Electric motors and power options

In the world of electric cars, the hood is a relative term. But when it comes to what powers the Aion Y, there's a good choice. The base models - Younger and Younger Star - are equipped with a 100 kW (136 hp) motor and 176 Nm of torque. This is enough for everyday city use: traffic lights, overtaking, climbing - without stress.

The more advanced versions - such as the Trendy Wild or Plus series - already have 150 kW (204 hp) and 225 Nm of torque. Here you can already feel the dynamics. Such configurations accelerate to 100 km/h in about 6.8 seconds. No, it's not a sports car, but for an electric crossover, it's quite decent. All versions have front-wheel drive, which reduces energy consumption and simplifies the design.

Battery and range: real options

In short: there is a choice. All versions of the GAC Aion Y are equipped with batteries of different capacities, depending on the configuration you choose:

• 49.7 kWh / 51.9 kWh - this is up to 410-430 km of run
• 58.9 kWh / 61.3 kWh / 61.7 kWh / 63.2 kWh - about 500-510 km
• 68.2 kWh / 70 kWh / 76.8 kWh - up to a maximum of 610 km

And this is not "written, but actually less". With a normal driving style, without fanatical pedalling, these figures are really achievable. By the way, in the cold season, models with LFP batteries (lithium-iron-phosphate) warm up a little slower, but they have a longer service life. More expensive versions are equipped with NCM batteries (nickel-cobalt-manganese), which are lighter and more energy-intensive, although they are more demanding on temperatures.

Charging: at home and on the track

The GAC Aion Y supports both slow alternating current (AC) and fast direct current (DC) charging. In practice, it looks like this:

• AC 6.6 or 11 kWIf you charge in the yard or from a wallbox. A full cycle takes about 6-10 hours.
• DC 120-160 kWOn the road or at a hub. It takes approximately 35 minutes to charge the 80%.

It's convenient that the car has a mobile application that allows you to track the charge in real time, start or postpone the process, and view statistics. You don't have to stand by the car and look at the display.

Where to charge GAC Aion Y in Ukraine: solutions from ECOFACTOR

At ECOFACTOR, we have been working with electric vehicles for many years and are well aware that the comfort of using an electric vehicle depends not only on the battery or the car's characteristics, but also on how easy it is to find a charger, connect and continue on your journey. Therefore, we have created a whole infrastructure around our charging stations that is suitable for both daily use of the GAC Aion Y and long-distance trips.

Our options for electric vehicle drivers

• Charging stations across Ukraine: We install AC stations up to 44 kW and DC stations up to 420 kW. GAC Aion Y supports both AC and fast DC, so there will be no problems with charging.
• The ECOFACTOR app for iOS and Android: Through the app, you can find the nearest charging point, check if it is free, start or stop the process, postpone charging to a convenient time, and view map of charging stations.
• Online shop with everything you need: We offer charging stations for home and business, as well as Cables, accessories and adapters for different types of connectors. This is useful if you need to connect the GAC Aion Y to different stations or want to have a spare set in the trunk.

The GAC Aion Y is designed for daily commuting and travelling, so infrastructure plays a big role. We are working to ensure that electric vehicle drivers have access to charging wherever they need it: at home, at work, in the city and on the highways. Our goal is simple: to make the electric car experience convenient and predictable. Whether you need a charging station, accessories or a network management platform, our ECOFACTOR ecosystem has it all.

Multimedia

Most new cars with screens look nice... until you start using them. The situation is different with the Aion Y. The large 14.6-inch central screen responds quickly, does not slow down, and the menu is logical. There is support for CarPlay and Android Auto, climate, camera, Bluetooth settings - everything is in place.

More expensive versions add a digital instrument cluster (10.25 inches), voice control, even a 5G module and remote parking. All in all, multimedia here doesn't look like a tick-box, but actually works.

About security and assistants

Even the basic Aion Y models have a set of systems that are no longer available today:

• ABS, ESP, stability control
• Parking sensors, rear view camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring system:

More expensive versions do:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keeping assistant
• Automatic braking system
• Camera with 360° view

All this is combined into the ADAS 3.0 system, and there is also a proprietary smart platform ADiGO, which connects the car with the application and helps to monitor the car's condition in real time.

Aion Y equipment

Since the Aion Y is available in several configurations - with different batteries, capacities and additional options - it is important to understand what exactly is offered and which option suits your needs.

• Younger / Younger Star: basic versions, 100 kW, range 430 km
• Trendy Wild / Plus Technology: 150 kW, up to 510 km range
• Plus Enjoy / Plus Smart / Plus Smart DrivingTop models, 150 kW, up to 610 km range, more options, better materials, two battery types to choose from

Before choosing a package for the GAC Aion Y, consider a few key points. If you mostly drive around the city and have a charger at home, the basic version with a range of ~430 km may be sufficient. But if you are often out of town or the charging infrastructure is weak, it is better to take the option with a larger battery. Next is budget and comfort: the more options and power, the more expensive the car. And the type of battery is also important: LFP is more durable, but has a shorter range in cold weather, while NCM gives you more range but is more expensive to maintain. Finally, evaluate the operating conditions in Ukraine - roads, climate, charging points - and choose the right one for you.

Are there any disadvantages?

The Aion Y, like any other car, has its drawbacks - and they should definitely not be ignored. The first thing that more experienced drivers notice is the rear suspension. In all configurations, it is torsionally independent, i.e. not independent. For urban conditions, this may be enough, but if you often drive on broken roads or simply expect a little more comfort from the car on bumps, the difference with a multi-link suspension will be noticeable. And although more expensive versions behave better, the Aion Y doesn't impress with perfect smoothness.

Another nuance often mentioned in reviews is the lack of seat heating in cheaper trims. In the realities of the Ukrainian winter, this is quite important, and, frankly, I would like to see this feature at least in the mid-range variants. There's also no heated steering wheel, which is also a disadvantage, given that electric cars usually warm up more slowly than petrol cars.

The suspension stiffness on our roads is also sometimes mentioned. It is not critical, but it is noticeable on small joints and pits, especially if the car is equipped with 18-inch wheels. On the one hand, it adds stability on the highway, but on the other hand, it's a bit tiring in the city. Someone may not notice it at all, while for others it will be a factor in their choice.

But despite all of this, the Aion Y provides a fair set of features for the price. Its shortcomings don't feel like serious problems, but rather like typical class features that are easy to accept when you consider the savings, space and functionality it gives you in exchange.

Bottom line.

The GAC Aion Y is no longer just a "promising Chinese electric car", but a very real competitor to models like the Renault Megane E-Tech, Hyundai Kona Electric, or even the basic Tesla. It has a modern architecture, a decent selection of batteries, good dynamics and multimedia that doesn't annoy. And all this for a price that doesn't scare you.

If you're just starting to look at electrics, Aion Y allows you to "enter" the topic without fear and without overpaying for a brand.

Frequently asked questions about GAC Aion Y