The Australian electric vehicle market is evolving rapidly, with new brands arriving almost every month. The latest entrant is Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), a manufacturing giant with a 20-year history of building cars in partnership with Toyota. GAC has now launched its premium electric sub-brand in Australia, leading the charge with the 2026 GAC Aion V. Priced from $42,590 before on-road costs, this mid-size electric SUV promises high build quality, generous equipment, and excellent range for the price.
2026 GAC Aion V Australian Pricing
The Aion V lineup is refreshingly straightforward, offering two variants: the Premium and the Luxury. The entry-level Premium starts at $42,590 before on-road costs, which translates to roughly $46,180 drive-away depending on your state. The top-spec Luxury variant asks for a modest $2,000 premium, priced at $44,590 before on-roads.
| Variant | Battery | Price (Excl. ORCs) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | 75.26kWh LFP | $42,590 |
| Luxury | 75.26kWh LFP | $44,590 |
This pricing positions the Aion V slightly above the entry-level Geely EX5, but it justifies the premium with a significantly larger battery and a longer equipment list. Crucially, it sits well below the Luxury Car Tax threshold, making it a highly attractive option for buyers considering a novated lease.
Battery Tech, Range and Charging
Both variants of the Aion V share the same 75.26kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which GAC refers to as its Magazine Battery 2.0. This sizable pack delivers an impressive WLTP driving range of 510 kilometres, giving it a clear advantage over many similarly priced rivals that hover around the 420-kilometre mark.
Power is delivered to the front wheels via a single electric motor producing 150kW and 210Nm of torque. While it is not designed to be a performance SUV, the powertrain provides smooth, relaxed, and highly efficient progress for daily commuting. When charging on the Australian EV charging network, the Aion V can accept DC fast charging at a peak rate of 180kW. GAC claims a 10 to 80 per cent charge takes approximately 24 minutes, making highway road trips entirely feasible. For home charging, the 11kW AC onboard charger will refill the battery in roughly eight and a half hours. The vehicle is backed by an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the battery covered for eight years or 200,000 kilometres.
A Premium and Practical Interior
The interior is where the Aion V truly shines, showcasing the build quality you would expect from a manufacturer with deep ties to Toyota. The cabin is dominated by a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard equipment across the range includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and cooled front seats, a panoramic glass roof with a power sunshade, and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
Stepping up to the Luxury variant is highly recommended, as the extra $2,000 unlocks genuine leather seating — a rarity at this price point. The Luxury also adds massaging front seats, a fold-down tray table for rear passengers, and a built-in 6.6-litre centre console fridge capable of chilling drinks down to minus 15 degrees Celsius.
Practicality is excellent for a mid-size SUV. The upright body shape provides limo-like legroom in the second row, while the boot offers 427 litres of cargo space, expanding to 978 litres with the rear seats folded. Unusually for an EV, buyers can also option a space-saver spare wheel to sit beneath the boot floor.
Is the 2026 GAC Aion V the SUV for You?
The 2026 GAC Aion V is a highly convincing debut from a brand that clearly understands how to build a quality vehicle. It offers a mature, comfortable ride around town, exceptional interior space, and a generous equipment list. While it relies heavily on touchscreen controls and features some overactive driver assistance systems, its core fundamentals — including a 510km range and a five-star ANCAP safety rating — make it one of the strongest value propositions in its class.
If you are considering making the switch to electric driving and want to experience what it is like to live with an EV, booking an EV rental through evee is the perfect way to test the electric lifestyle before committing to a purchase. You might also want to compare the Aion V against its smaller sibling, the GAC Aion UT.
