Aion V review: Promising debut EV from a new brand to the UK

We get behind the wheel of the Aion V – the first model from another Chinese brand new to the UK

You’ve probably never heard of Aion, but if its launch car is anything to go by, you will soon enough.

It may be a bit late to the party, but Aion comes with a strong pedigree because it’s the third-largest electric vehicle brand in the world, beaten only by Tesla and BYD.

In fact, Aion achieved the milestone of one million EV sales faster than any other brand in China.

A sub-brand of GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) – the fifth-largest automotive manufacturer in China – its output over the years has included joint programmes with Toyota and Honda.

The all-electric Aion V (the letter, not the Roman numeral) is launched into the crowded crossover market where its many rivals include everything from the Volkswagen ID.4, BYD Atto 3 and Smart #5, to the Skoda Elroq, MG S6 and Renault Scenic E-Tech.

Priced from £36,450, it’s available in two specs – an entry-level model or the range-topping Premium Pack (from £37,945).

Designed at GAC’s studio in Milan, the chunky Aion V manages to stand out from the crowd, which is no mean feat in a world of homogenous SUVs.

Looking not unlike the MINI Countryman in profile, the only challenging aspects for me are the wheels (which look on the small side) and the unusual, high-set front headlights.

Inside, it has a plush feel and is well put together. It’s also light and airy, and there are no issues when it comes to visibility.

There’s a familiar look up front with a big (and slightly frustrating) central touchscreen, a driver’s display, and twin pads for phone storage, while the interior materials used are classy.

The Chinese love a bit of rear space and the Aion V is no different. There’s room for three adults. Oh, and the rear doors open at 90 degrees, which makes entering and exiting super easy (especially useful when fitting child seats).

A few things worth mentioning – the top-spec model gets a folding tray table on the passenger seat backrest, the front seats recline completely flat, and there’s a 6.6-litre fridge/heater nestled beneath the central armrest!

However, at 472 litres, boot space is average for this size of car. In total there’s 1,638 litres on offer if the rear seats are folded, while a three-level floor system is useful.

The driver’s seat adjusts reasonably low for an EV (though I’d always prefer a little more downward movement), and the seats are comfortable. Go for the Premium Pack if you want real leather and massage front seats.

Every Aion V features a 75.3kWh battery and a claimed 317-mile range, while a 30-80% charge takes just 18 minutes.

Power is delivered to the front wheels via a 201bhp electric motor producing a maximum torque of 240 Nm, while the 0–62 mph time is 7.9 seconds.

It feels swift on the road, though it’s fair to say that the overall experience is geared towards comfort rather than driving thrills.

The Aion V rides nicely and stays refined. The suspension isn’t the most sophisticated out there, but it irons out most lumps and bumps nicely, and it copes pretty well on more challenging roads too, while body roll is kept in check in faster corners.

The steering is quick and precise, and there’s plenty of grip from the front wheels. The brakes could be a little more progressive, but overall, it feels stable, assured and refined.

You can choose between three drive modes – Sport, Comfort (the default at each start-up) and Eco. As ever, Comfort does the job. And anyway, you have to access the infotainment touchscreen to switch mode.

In addition to the drive modes, three levels of regenerative braking can be selected.

On that note, I achieved a respectable average efficiency of between 3.5 to 4.0 miles per kWh over a week on mixed roads, which is good, so I’d expect a real-world range around 250-270 miles.

As if all that isn’t good enough, the Aion V has a trump card when it comes to peace of mind.

The unbeatable ‘Aion Great 8’ package gives every customer an eight-year 100,000-mile vehicle warranty, eight-year 125,000-mile battery warranty, eight years’ servicing, eight years’ roadside assistance and MOT testing fees up to the eighth year from first registration.

Verdict: The all-electric Aion V is a promising first car from a Chinese brand new to the UK. Well equipped, plush, competitively-priced, surprisingly spacious and easy to drive, it has a decent real-world range and offers serious peace of mind.

Review in association with AutomotiveBlog