GAC M8 vs. the competition

While it isn’t as visible as the luxury sport utility vehicle segment in the country, cushy multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) nameplates like the GAC M8 have definitely eked out their path and have become popular options in their own right. 

In particular, the GAC M8 has caught the eye of many buyers wanting a stylish ride with a good balance of performance and creature comforts. Plus, its price range of P2.998 million-P3.948 million makes it relatively affordable, considering the sheer amount of features it is offering. 

The GAC-made luxury MPV, however, does have strong rivals in the local market. So, what are the alternatives to the M8? 

Before listing down its key competitors in the Philippines, however, let’s take a quick look at the specs and features of the GAC M8.

GAC M8 

For its exterior, the GAC M8 comes with an impactful look courtesy of its large vertical slatted chrome grille, large inverted L-shaped LED headlamp clusters, and its wide greenhouse. The aforementioned are complemented by sharp character lines on its expansive doors, its pair of large LED taillights, and its angular rear bumper. 

Likewise found on the exterior of the model are a set of 18-inch wheels, power-folding side mirrors (with position memory), soundproof window glass, dual power sliding doors, and a sectioned power sunroof. 

Size-wise, the model is 5,212 millimeters (mm) long, 1,893 mm wide, and 1,823 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase spanning 3,070 mm. 

Inside, the top-spec GX Master comes with power-adjust front and second row seats with heating and ventilation. The captain seats in the second row also get a massage and a position memory function. The third row also comes with a central armrest. All seats are likewise clad in leather upholstery. 

Keeping everyone inside the vehicle cool is a triple-zone automatic air-conditioning system with a particulate matter sensor. Mood inside the cabin is likewise ensured by a built-in fragrance system and ambient lighting. 

Positioned on the dashboard of the model is a 14.6-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The said screen is linked to an eight-piece speaker system, and on-board charging is handled by several USB ports and a wireless smartphone charging pad. 

Moreover, the model provides its drivers with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a push-to-start button, passive keyless entry, a video-type rearview camera, leather front cabin armrest, and a 12-volt accessory outlet - among others. 

For safety, the GAC M8 GX Master comes with a comprehensive basic safety kit. The aforementioned is reinforced by several advanced driver-assist systems, such as: 

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Forward collision warning
• Traffic jam assist
• Blind spot detection
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Rear cross traffic braking
• Emergency lane keep assist
• Automatic park assist

Propelling the GAC M8 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine capable of producing up to 248 horsepower (hp) and 400 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. It also uses an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

Here’s a table showcasing the basic mechanical specs of the GAC M8 GX Master: 

Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower	248
Torque	400 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Toyota Alphard

One of the biggest rivals of the GAC M8 in the Philippine market is the Toyota Alphard. Currently, it is priced at P4.691 million for its sole hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) variant. 

Propelling the Alphard HEV is a 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). At maximum, the said powertrain can generate up to 246 hp and 270 Nm of torque. 

Here’s the mechanical specs of the Toyota Alphard HEV: 

Engine	2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid gasoline
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	246
Torque	270 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Double-wishbone
Brakes	Front and rear discs

 The Alphard comes with a sleek but sizable body that’s 5,010 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, and 1,950 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 3,000. 

Its lineup of exterior equipment includes full LED lighting, power-folding and heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, power-sliding doors, a power tailgate, and a moon roof. 

Inside, it boasts leather upholstered seats, with power-adjustability for the front and second row captain seats, a 50:50 split-folding third row, ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, and door sunshades. 

The Toyota-made MPV’s dash, meanwhile, is dominated by a 14-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The main screen is linked to a 15-piece JBL speaker set, and is joined by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless smartphone charging pad, a 12-volt accessory outlet, and several USB ports. 

Other notable interior features of the Alphard include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Paddle shifters
• Smart entry
• Push-to-start button
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Front row massage seats
• Front row heating and ventilation
• HDMI port
• NanoeX and S-Flow for air-conditioning system

For safety, the Toyota Alphard HEV comes with a comprehensive kit as expected from a modern vehicle. Additionally, it has an ADAS suite comprised of a pre-collision system, automatic high beams, adaptive high beams, lane trace assist, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring - among others. 

Hyundai Staria

Another alternative to the GAC M8 is the Hyundai Staria, specifically the top-spec Premium+ seven-seater. 

At the time of this writing, the Hyundai Staria Premium+ seven-seater retails for P3.03 million, which places it between the GAC M8 and the Toyota Alphard. 

But while the Alphard boasts a hybrid mill, the top-of-the-line version of the Hyundai-made MPV boasts an all-wheel-drive system - a rarity in the segment. It also utilizes a 2.2-liter turbodiesel mill capable of outputting up to 174 hp and 430 Nm of torque. 

Here’s a table detailing the mechanical bits of the Hyundai Staria Premium+: 

Engine	2.2-liter turbocharged inline-4 diesel
Drivetrain	All-wheel-drive
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower	174
Torque	430 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Rigid axle with five-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Style-wise, the Staria is one of the more futuristic-looking MPVs in the market. It has a smooth transition from its nose leading up to its windshield and up towards its roof, and it has virtually no sharp character lines on its body. 

The unique look of the vehicle is complemented by a long LED daytime running lamp bar spanning the width of its front fascia, an intricate-looking grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a dual-LED headlamp cluster. Also available on the top-spec Hyundai MPV is a power sunroof, power tailgate, power-folding side mirrors with heating, and power sliding doors. 

Size-wise, the model is 5,253 mm long, 1,970 mm wide, and 1,990 mm in height. 

Similar to the other two mentioned above, the Staria Premium+ has a three-row configuration with captain seats for the second row. The ones in the two front rows boast power-adjustability and ventilation, while all seats are clad in Nappa leather. 

For on-board entertainment and navigation, the Hyundai-made MPV has an eight-inch infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. The main display is linked to a Bose speaker set and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Other noteworthy amenities found in the Staria Premium+ include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Electrochromic rear-view mirror
• Push-to-start button
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• USB ports
• 12-volt accessory outlet
• Automatic air-conditioning
• Front row power lumbar support (driver only)

Safety-wise, the Hyundai Staria Premium+ mainly depends on its combination of standard safety gear and ADAS suite. The latter includes lane keep assist, lane follow assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, parking distance warning, 360-degree monitor, and blind-spot view monitor - among others. 

Final thoughts

Overall, the GAC M8 has a good balance of performance and features to make it a match against its largest rivals in the local market. Plus, it gets a very impactful exterior design that will make it stand out among the sea of other MPVs on local roads. 

For people who like what they see in the M8, do take your time to take it out for a test drive at your nearest GAC dealership. 

Also read:

Ideal cars for modern-day moms

Here are GAC M6 Pro's 3 available colors in PH

Check out the GAC M8's opulent interior

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