Check out the GAC M8's opulent interior

In the Philippine market, the family-friendly seven-seater segment, particularly the multi-purpose vehicle class, is currently experiencing an arms race. 

While Toyota has been going steady with the popular Alphard, other brands have proceeded to arm themselves with well-equipped new nameplates that are oozing with creature comforts. 

Other examples of the aforementioned include the MG G50, Maxus G50, Dongfeng Aeolus Huge, and Hyundai Custin — among others. 

GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group Company Limited) Motors Philippines, on the other hand, unleashed the M8 back in March 2024. Like the models mentioned above, it is a sizable vehicle sporting a refined ride quality and a sophisticated exterior design. 

Propelling the GAC MPV is a relatively peppy 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine capable of making up to 248 horsepower and 400 Newton-meters of torque. It also uses an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a front-wheel-drive layout. 

The exterior of the vehicle is as impactful as it is stylish. It sports a massive front grille with chrome-finished vertical slats, sharp LED headlamps, and a set of 18-inch wheels. Plus, it comes with dual power sliding doors, a power tailgate, and soundproof glass. 

But, what about its interior? What is the GAC M8 offering its prospective buyers in terms of creature comforts and on-board tech? Let’s find out here. 

Tech galore

Apart from its inherent design as a cushy MPV fit for ferrying around executives or one’s family, it also comes with plenty of onboard technologies. 

Positioned on the model’s well-arranged dashboard is a 14.6-inch central touchscreen. The driver’s side, just behind the leather steering wheel, meanwhile, was fitted with a 12.3-inch liquid crystal display instrument cluster. 

Both screens offer colorful user interfaces with easy-to-understand formats. The main screen handles plenty of the car’s creature comforts, and it also doubles as the main screen for navigation and for the video feedback of the model’s 360-degree view camera. 

On the one hand, the digital instrument cluster shows the one piloting the car's pertinent vehicle and safety-related information. 

For ease of connectivity, the M8 comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has several USB ports for each row, a front-row 12-volt accessory outlet, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Sound is also outputted by an eight-piece speaker system for both the GL Master and top-spec GX Master trims. 

To make the GAC M8 easier to drive and use every day, the model also has a keyless start system, passive keyless entry, and a video stream rearview mirror. It also comes with a push-to-start button, electronic parking brake, and steering wheel-mounted buttons. Plus, the shifter comes with a fancy inset crystal decoration for extra flair. 

Lounge on wheels

As expected from an MPV that’s punching above its weight in terms of luxury, the M8 comes with an opulent interior filled with shiny decorative pieces and a lot of soft-touch surfaces. All seats are upholstered in luxurious leather, and everyone inside is kept cool by a triple-zone automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents. 

Specific to the M8 GX Master are power seats for both the frontmost and second row. Specifically, the driver has access to a 12-way power adjustable seat, while the front passenger and second-row captain seat occupants have four-way power adjustability. 

Moreover, the second-row captain seats and both front seats are all equipped with ventilation and heating. The aforementioned captain seats go a bit further when it comes to pampering their occupants, thanks to their power-adjust leg rests, massage functionality, folding tables, second-row window blinds, and seat-adjust memory functionality. 

While the second row is fit for a king, the third row isn’t any less comfortable as it comes with a folding central armrest with cupholders. For added versatility, the rearmost row also has 60:40 split-folding functionality. 

Other notable interior features of the GAC M8 include:

• Ambient lighting
• Fragrance system
• Particulate matter 2.5 filters
• Second-row welcome lights
• Second-row adjustable (sleeping) headrests
• Driver seat memory function

As mentioned above, the M8 offers unparalleled ease of access to its interior due to its dual power sliding doors. Getting to the trunk of the MPV is also made easy thanks to its power tailgate. 

For reference, the M8 can hold up to 516 liters of cargo with the rear seats up. Fold the third row down, and it can provide up to 1,586 liters of space. The aforementioned is more than enough for the number of bags needed for multi-day road trips. Together with its spacious ingress and egress points, the vehicle can also do well as a ride for differently-abled persons due to having the space to accommodate a wheelchair or even a mobility scooter. 

Comprehensive safety kit

Inside, the MPV also has a comprehensive safety kit - a must-have for folks in the market for a family-friendly daily ride. 

Specifically, the model has seven airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors (second and third rows), a first aid kit, a tire repair kit, stability control, hill-descent control, hill-start hold control, a 360-degree view camera, tire pressure monitoring, and a door ajar warning system. 

The said features are also reinforced by several advanced driver-assist systems, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Forward collision warning
• Blind spot detection
• Traffic jam assist
• Integrated cruise assist
• Emergency lane keeping
• Rear cross-traffic alert with rear braking
• Rear car approach warning
• Automatic parking assist

Price

In the Philippines, the GAC M8 starts at P2.998 million for the entry-level GL Master. The top-spec GX Master, on the other hand, retails at P3.948 million. 

GAC M8: specifications

Model	GAC M8 GX Master
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	5,212x1,893x1,823
Wheelbase (mm)	3,070
Ground clearance (mm)	150
Wheel size	18-inches
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Power-adjust captain seats Power-adjust front seats Heated/ventilated first and second rows Second-row window blinds Triple-zone automatic air-conditioning  Electronic parking brake Leather-wrapped steering wheel Ambient lighting Eight-piece speaker system Wireless smartphone charging pad Power leg rests (second-row) PM2.5 air filters Fragrance system
Infotainment system	14.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Instrument cluster	12.3-inch LCD
Seating capacity	Seven
Powertrain
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower	248
Torque	400 Nm
Technology
Safety	Seven airbags Anti-lock braking ISOFIX child seat anchors (second and third rows) First aid kit Tire repair kit Stability control, hill-descent control, hill-start hold control 360-degree view camera Tire pressure monitoring Door ajar warning system
ADAS	Adaptive cruise control Autonomous emergency braking Forward collision warning Blind spot detection Traffic jam assist Integrated cruise assist Emergency lane keeping Rear cross-traffic alert with rear braking Rear car approach warning Automatic parking assist
Price	P3.948 million

Final thoughts

Overall, the GAC M8 offers plenty for its price range. It has a cushy set of seats and lots of features to keep everyone inside the vehicle pampered and comfortable. More importantly, it comes with loads of safety gear, which makes it a good fit as a family ride. 

Coupled with its peppy engine and its abundance of interior space, the M8 offers immense value for its would-be adopters. Sure, there are plenty of more affordable alternatives out in the market right now, but the GAC nameplate only has a few compromises.

For serious folks currently in the market for a seven-seater MPV, we urge you to take your time and give the M8 a test drive. Doing so will acquaint you better with what it is promising to provide, and even if you aren’t looking for a new ride, it is a good starting point if once you finally want to jump into taking home a larger, fancier people mover. 

Also read: 

GAC Motor PH adds new colorway for GS3 Emzoom R Style

GAC M8: hits and misses

Luxury mover matchup: GAC M8 vs. Toyota Alphard