2026 GAC Emzoom: Details on China’s newest small SUV rivals Hyundai Kona and MG ZS

GAC is the next Chinese brand to enter the Australian market and has released full specifications for one of its first local cars: the Nissan Qashqai-sized Emzoom.

Launching this month in the sole ‘GL’ trim level, the Emzoom will compete against Australia’s large cohort of small SUVs, including the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona and MG ZS, to name a few.

Although GAC calls it a “compact SUV”, the Emzoom measures just over 4.4 meters, meaning it’s the closest thing to larger small SUVs like the Qashqai. In contrast to this and many other small SUVs, it does not have any hybrid drive and its petrol engine only meets the Euro 5 emissions standard.

This means that it will be before the stricter Euro 6d standards come into force locally in December 2025, and new versions of all vehicles will have to comply with them.

With the launch scheduled for November 18th, it is clear that GAC intends to “beat” Euro 6d to the Australian market and thus avoid, at least for now, the need for the Emzoom to be homologated under the stricter emissions regulations. However, from 2028 it will have to meet stricter standards.

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The five-seater Emzoom is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 125kW of power and 270Nm of torque.

It uses a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission that is said to enable “shift times of just 0.2 seconds.”

Exterior design highlights include GAC’s large “Mecha Wing” grille (confusingly referred to as the “Flying Wing” elsewhere), “Laser Eye” split LED headlights and “Light Dart” taillight signature. GAC says the car’s sharp lines “look as if they were cut by diamonds themselves.”

Its interior is equipped with a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless smartphone mirroring and serves as a control center for functions such as seat ventilation and climate control.