Chinese newcomer GAC is entering the Australian people mover segment with a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV).
That will do that GAC M8 the only plug-in hybrid people mover on the Australian market.
While you can buy petrol, diesel, hybrid and even electric petroleum vehicles locally, no car brand has launched a PHEV yet.
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Orders are now open for the GAC M8, priced from $76,590 (excluding on-road costs). That makes the entry-level M8 PHEV the same price as a top-spec Kia Carnival Hybrid ($76,630 before on-roads), while significantly undercutting other electric people movers like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB (from $91,290 before on-roads).
Customers who order an M8 before December 31, 2025 will receive a free 22 kW electric vehicle charger and a $1,000 cashback offer, as well as a $500 fuel or charging card.
The M8 comes with an eight-year, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 200,000 km battery warranty.
GAC Australia believes the M8 could expand the local people mover market, which is dominated by Carnival, which had a whopping 74 percent share last year.
Prices
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 GAC M8 Premium | $76,590 |
| 2026 GAC M8 Luxury | $83,590 |
Drives and efficiency
The M8 is offered here exclusively with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which, according to GAC, enables a combined total range of 1032 km.
According to GAC, the battery can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in 30 minutes with a 35 kW DC charger, or in 3.5 hours with a 6.6 kW AC charger.
Only the Luxury has an external Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) connection, allowing you to power small devices with up to 3.3 kW.
The M8 features a MacPherson strut front axle and a multi-link rear suspension, and GAC has also installed so-called electromagnetic damping suspension and adaptive dynamic control. These are intended to keep the vehicle stable and calm while driving.
| Specifications | GAC M8 |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid |
| System outputs | 274 kW/630 Nm |
| battery | 25.57 kWh |
| transmission | Special 2-speed hybrid transmission |
| Drive type | Front wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h time | 8.8 seconds |
| Fuel consumption (claimed) | 6.05 l/100 km (with full battery and fuel tank) |
| Electric driving range | 106km |
| Max. AC charging rate | 6.6kW |
| Max. DC charging rate | 39kW |
| Fuel tank capacity | 56L |
| Emissions standard | 6 euros |
Dimensions
| Dimensions | GAC M8 |
|---|---|
| length | 5212mm |
| Width | 1893mm |
| Height | 1823mm |
| wheelbase | 3070mm |
| Loading capacity | 280L-1500L |
Maintenance and warranty
The GAC M8 comes with an eight-year, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 200,000 km battery warranty.
GAC has not yet announced service prices.
Security
The GAC M8 has yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind spot monitoring
- Integrated Cruise Assist
- Traffic jam assistant
- Lane keeping assistant
- Emergency lane departure warning
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Safe exit warning
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Surround view camera
The Premium has two parking sensors at the front and four at the rear, while the Luxury has six at each end.
GAC says it has an “industry-leading” 3.2m side airbag as well as rear window airbags designed to protect third-row occupants.
Standard equipment
There are two members of the GAC M8 series.
The Premium is equipped with the following features as standard:
- Double electric sliding doors
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Rear privacy glass
- 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/60R18 tires
- Tire repair kit
- Welcome lights
- Electrically folding exterior mirrors with memory
- Keyless entry and start
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- 8 speaker sound system
- Wireless phone charger
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- 8-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar support
- 4-way electrically adjustable passenger seat
- Manual 2-way front headrests
- 2-way manually adjustable second row seats with 2-way power legrest
- Divide/fold third row 60:40
- Leather upholstery (first and second row)
- PVC padding (third row)
- Three-zone climate control
The luxury adds:
- Semi-autonomous parking assistant
- Reversing assistant
- 225/60R18 “acoustic” tires
- Second row “welcome light carpet”
- Parasols in the second row
- Scent system
- Ambient lighting
- Heated steering wheel
- Rear storage tables
- Two-way power adjustable second row seats
- 4-way leg support
- Memory
- Welcome function
- massage
- Heating
- ventilation
- USB ports
- LCD control screens
- Semi-aniline padding (first and second row)
- Leather upholstery (third row)
MORE: Explore the GAC M8 showroom
MORE: Why China’s GAC arrives with a people mover in SUV-hungry Australia




