GAC Emkoo Hybrid: Peppy, efficient powerhouse for the price-conscious

In the Philippine market, the five-seater hybrid crossover market “niche” has been getting strong as of late. 

The segment has further grown with the inclusion of Chinese carmakers. BYD, for instance, made a huge statement with the Sealion 6 DM-i, which demonstrated its ability to cover 1,000 kilometers in just one full tank of fuel. 

GAC Motors Philippines’ entry to the said segment, meanwhile, is the Emkoo Hybrid. It is built upon the proven platform of the internal combustion (ICE) version, but it has received a greener but, at the same time, peppier powertrain. 

 

So, how does the Emkoo Hybrid perform when it comes to real-world driving and efficiency? Zigwheels Philippines found the answer to the said question when GAC invited members of the local automotive media to take the model out for a short but enjoyable journey to Tagaytay, Cavite. 

Here’s how the drive went. 

Efficient fuel sipper

The GAC Emkoo Hybrid media drive kicked off at the Discovery Primea Hotel in Makati City. However, my turn to pilot to crossover came when we made the journey all the way back to Makati City after our lunch at Anya Resort in Tagaytay, Cavite. 

In terms of fuel economy, the vehicle returned 27 kilometers per liter. The said figure is according to the vehicle’s digital gauge cluster and is a combined reading taken from highway and in-city driving with three adults on board. 

 

Mind you, the approach to Discovery Primea in the afternoon stages of the drive was rife with heavy traffic. Nevertheless, the vehicle’s fuel economy is comparable to many of its electrified rivals. 

Additionally, GAC shared that the model boasts a total operating range (from a single full tank) of 1,100 kilometers. Considering the drive was a relatively short sojourn, we didn’t get to test the said claim, but note that the range is similar to the one for the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i. 

 

Having oodles of operating range is great, but another of the Emkoo Hybrid’s strengths lies in how peppy it is. For reference, it uses a 2.0-liter parallel hybrid powertrain that can output a combined total of 238 horsepower (hp), while its electronic motor alone can output 300 Newton-meters of torque.

 

The figures indicate it is one of the more powerful models within the five-seater hybrid crossover segment in the local market at the moment. For reference, its closest rival, the Sealion 6, can output 214 hp.

During the drive, I experience first-hand the agility of the electrified Emkoo. It was quick on doing overtakes, and it happily squeezed all its power to get up to speed, especially when “sport mode” was turned on. 

Additionally, the crossover presented a good throttle response and sufficient braking power. Steering likewise felt direct, but it did not return much feedback from the road. 

Cozy and well-equipped

At the start of the drive, I was able to experience the comfort levels and ride quality of the Emkoo Hybrid as a rear cabin passenger. 

Space-wise, the GAC model provides a lot of legroom and headroom. For reference, I am 5 foot 11 inches tall and broad in the gut. Regardless, the model’s rear cabin felt roomy to the point that I was even able to stretch my legs forward. 

 

 

As expected, the leather-upholstered seats of the Emkoo Hybrid were quite comfortable as well. Plus, the rear cabin had plenty of features, including rear vents for the vehicle’s automatic air-conditioning (AC) system and an ample amount of USB ports. It could have used a center armrest, but the door cards were sufficiently soft to rest one’s elbow on for long periods. 

Adding much to the ambiance of the vehicle’s interior is its large panoramic sunroof, which stretches all the way back towards the rear cabin. 

Concerning ride quality, the Emkoo Hybrid’s front McPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension systems did a great job of staving away the jolty feeling of the South Luzon Expressway’s rough patches. At the same time, I likewise felt that the interior was quiet and serene for most of the trip. Engine noise, however, can be audible even from the rear seats, but it wasn’t loud enough to be annoying. 

 

 

As a side note, the Emkoo Hybrid looks identical to the top-spec GL ICE-only version. The only thing setting the electrified version apart from the ICE-only variation is the blue-tinged accent surrounding its “GAC” emblems. For some, the said design choice for the Emkoo Hybrid might be a tad too simple to differentiate it from its ICE siblings, but I think that the sharp-looking exterior of the nameplate already looks great as it is. 

Impressive array of features

Like the ICE version, the Emkoo Hybrid has a lot of features that will make driving the vehicle much easier every day. 

For starters, I appreciate the clear and concise graphics of its seven-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment display. The infotainment display, in particular, was fast and responsive to inputs, and it returned no lag at all. 

 

Additionally, finding one’s preferred driving position was easy with the Emkoo Hybrid thanks to its power-adjustable front seats and its tilt-telescopic steering wheel. It also has a neatly arranged center console, which is quite user-friendly. The electronic parking brake and the bejeweled gear selector are labeled clearly, plus they are easily usable even as I keep my eyes on the road. 

Relatedly, I would have preferred more physical buttons for the vehicle’s AC and its drive mode selector. As of the Emkoo’s current iteration, the aforementioned can only be accessed via its central screen. 

Additional convenience features for the model include a keyless entry system, a push-to-start button, hands-free Bluetooth calling, and Apple CarPlay. 

Unfortunately, the Emkoo Hybrid, like the ICE version, is not available with Android Auto. On the other hand, it features CarbitLink third-party phone synchronization software. 

 

During our day trip to Tagaytay, the group with whom I shared the car also got to use the Emkoo Hybrid’s lane-keep assist and lane departure warning system. The two features felt unobtrusive and responsive, and I can imagine that they can be of great help on longer runs on the highway.

Other advanced driver-assist features present on the hybrid model are autonomous emergency braking, traffic jam assist, blind spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, high beam assist, and adaptive cruise control, among others. 

The vehicle was likewise kitted out with a 360-degree view camera, which we used extensively when repositioning the car in order to take pictures. It returned a crisp video feed and is latency-free. 

Pricing

• Emkoo Hybrid: P1.698 million

Final thoughts

With a powertrain showing a good balance between power, features, and fuel economy, the GAC Emkoo Hybrid has great potential to become a great daily driver or a comfy long-distance runner. It is also offered at a decent price, which may prove attractive to a lot of buyers. 

For folks serious about getting the GAC Emkoo Hybrid, however, you might want to give the vehicle a test drive first. Doing so will result in a more informed car purchase in the end. Plus, seeing the car in the metal may help when comparing it with its locally available rivals. 

Also read: 

GAC Motor PH opens dealerships in Cavite, QC

GAC Motor PH to open Valenzuela dealership

GAC Motor PH updates Emzoom lineup with new Touring trim