GAC Philippines has officially launched the new Aion UT, a compact electric hatchback built for city life and daily commutes. The pitch here is ‘Big Car Energy,’ and after seeing it up close, it’s clear GAC wants to give buyers the space and tech of a bigger car, but in a package that’s easy to live with in tight urban streets.
With the branding in tow, GAC obviously aims to attract younger city drivers with the Aion UT, particularly those who want something that’s simple to park, easy to weave through traffic, and not at all daunting in Metro Manila’s daily grind.
The Aion UT isn’t new globally – it’s already available in places like Thailand, Australia, Europe, and Latin America. It’s built on a dedicated EV platform, squeezing a 2,750-mm wheelbase into a body that still feels compact from the outside, though obviously wider than your usual electric hatchbacks like the BYD Seagull or the Dongfeng Nammi.
Design-wise, the Aion UT goes for playful and modern rather than trying to look tough. Rounded lights, a clean front, two-tone roof options, and pastel colors give it a lot more personality than most entry-level hatchbacks. The Emerald Green and Rococo White finishes, in particular, really drive home the youthful vibe GAC is aiming for.
Step inside, and you’ll find a minimalist cabin anchored by a big 14.6-inch floating infotainment screen and an 8.88-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with online navigation, voice commands, app connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system.
GAC says the rear seats can actually fit three adults without the usual squeeze you get in small hatchbacks, and the cargo area gives you up to 440 liters before you even fold the seats. There are also 24 storage compartments tucked around the cabin – handy for all the odds and ends that come with city driving.
In terms of safety, the Aion UT gets Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system.
Under the hood, the Aion UT Elite runs a front-mounted electric motor with 100 kW (about 134 horsepower), just enough for nimble city driving and maybe those occasional trips to the outskirts of the Metro.
The Aion UT uses an LFP battery with GAC’s Magazine Battery tech. Its capacity is rated at 44.12 kWh, with an official range of up to 400 kilometers on the NEDC cycle. Real-world numbers will probably be lower, but should still be competitive for the class.
Charging times are in line with what you’d expect for this segment. DC fast charging gets you from 30 to 80 percent in about 24 to 30 minutes, depending on conditions. There’s also Vehicle-to-Load, so you can power gadgets or small appliances straight from the car when you’re out and about.
For pricing, GAC Philippines advertises the sole Aion UT Elite at P1.068 million, though there’s an introductory P998,000 until June 30, 2026. If you’re among the first 400 buyers, you get another P20,000 off on top of that.
Autocar’s Take
The Aion UT arrives at an interesting time for the local EV market. A compact hatchback with decent range, practical space, and a relatively accessible price point probably makes more sense for many city-based buyers than the hulking offerings of other brands.
Initial impressions? The Aion UT doesn’t feel stripped down just to hit a lower price. Features like the ADAS suite, a large infotainment screen, wireless smartphone connectivity, and V2L functionality give it a more complete feel than some entry-level EVs that focus mainly on affordability. The cabin packaging also looks genuinely impressive for something this size, so right off the bat, yes, this looks promising, and we can’t wait to get our hands on one for a proper review.
