The 2026 GAC Aion S7 Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has been launched in the UK – the first right-hand drive market – making the Toyota Kluger-sized large SUV more likely to launch in Australia.
Accordingly AutocarThe S7 will receive specific chassis optimizations to suit the harshest British roads ahead of its UK launch in 2027
Aside from the Kluger Hybrid, the Aion S7 is a competitor to the locally sold mid-size SUVs BYD Sealion 6 PHEV and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) was founded in Australia in 2025 and plans to offer models of all its sub-brands in the Chinese market – including Trumpchi, Hyptec and Aion – under a unified GAC identity.
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However, in the UK a different approach was taken and Aion was positioned as a standalone brand unrelated to GAC.
The carmaker aims to be among the top 10 best-selling brands in Australia by 2030, with at least 10 models in local showrooms by the end of 2027, including an SUV and a large SUV.
The GAC Aion V mid-sized electric SUV was one of three models offered from the local launch, but the S7 PHEV made a surprise appearance at the brand’s Australian launch event in Sydney last November.
GAC said the unannounced presentation was intended to solicit feedback from dealers and potential customers.
An unregistered left-hand drive S7 was on display alongside the Aion V, the petrol-powered GAC Emzoom hatchback and the M8 PHEV people mover.
A fourth model has now arrived in local showrooms, the GAC Aion UT – a Toyota Corolla-sized electric hatchback that rivals the BYD Dolphin, MG 4 and GWM Ora.
The S7 – also sold in China as the Xiangwang S7 and Trumpchi S7 – is the first GAC model to use the brand’s new EV+ architecture and, like its main rivals, features a monocoque construction.
It adopts a blocky, Range Rover-esque stance with flared wheel arches and a 2.6 meter wide, AI-controlled “expressive” front light bar – but lacks an external, tailgate-mounted spare wheel like the Land Rover Defender.
At 4900mm long, 1950mm wide and 1780mm high, the S7 is slightly shorter but wider and taller than the Kluger (4966/1930/1755mm) and also has a longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs.
The S7 is also larger than the midsize Sealion 6 and Outlander PHEV, but only seats five, while the Mitsubishi is available with seven seats.
However, the trunk volume is given as 720 liters and expands to 2050 liters behind the front seats.
Interior features include leather upholstery, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 60W wireless phone charging, and a panoramic sunroof.
UK powertrain specifications haven’t been confirmed yet, but Chinese-market versions come with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 118kW/220Nm, paired with one or two electric motors.
Single-engine variants generate 170 kW/470 Nm and drive the front wheels. They offer a pure electric range of 82 km (WLTP) with a 21.3 kWh battery or up to 145 km with an optional 36.1 kWh battery.
Dual-motor versions deliver 250kW/393Nm with all-wheel drive, with all-electric range being 136-145km depending on variant. Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is 5.8 seconds, compared to 7.9 seconds for single-engine vehicles.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include LiDAR, radar and camera-based systems that support functions such as automated parking and semi-autonomous driving on highways, including on-ramp and off-ramp capability.
GAC Australia currently offers an eight-year, unlimited kilometer warranty on the Aion V, while the M8 PHEV is covered by a seven-year vehicle warranty and an eight-year/200,000km battery warranty – likely a reference to the aftersales coverage offered with the S7 when sold locally.
MORE: Discover the GAC showroom
