Here are the GAC Aion UT’s 2 closest rivals

GAC International Philippines has entered the compact hatchback segment with the all-new Aion UT. And yes, while the electric vehicle (EV) hatchback segment is still new, the newly introduced GAC nameplate already has several competitors in the local market. 

So, which models are directly competing against the GAC Aion UT? Let’s find out here. But first, let’s go over the specifications and features of the all-new GAC hatchback nameplate to see what it is offering to would-be adopters. 

 GAC Aion UT

Under the hood of the GAC Aion UT is a single motor paired with a 44.12-kilowatt-hour battery. This motor, which drives the model’s front wheels, can generate up to 134 horsepower (hp) and 145 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

From a single full charge, the Aion UT can cover up to 400 kilometers (km), according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). It also has a regenerative braking system, a vehicle-to-load function, and selectable drive modes. 

Charging the Aion UT is done via direct current (DC) port, which can increase its battery levels from 30-80 percent in just 24 minutes. 

Style-wise, the GAC Aion UT goes for a cutesy look with soft corners. It does have some sharp, modern details, though, such as its LED lighting fixtures and black exterior trim and parts. 

Other noteworthy exterior amenities available to the Aion UT include rain-sensing wipers, power-folding/adjustable side mirrors, a manual tailgate, automatic headlamp functionality, and a set of 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels. 

For reference, here are the size figures of the GAC Aion UT:

Length (in millimeters)	4,270
Width (in mm)	1,850
Height (in mm)	1,575
Wheelbase length (in mm)	2,750
Ground clearance (in mm)	147 (unladen)

Inside the GAC Aion UT is a five-seater layout equipped fabric seats, and a default trunk space of 440 liters, as well as a total of 24 storage compartments spread throught the cabin. Keeping everyone cool inside the all-electric hatchback is an automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents.

In addition, the car also comes standard with manual front seat adjustment, a particulate matter 2.5 filter, and a rear cabin armrest. 

For the driver, the GAC Aion UT provides an 8.88-inch digital gauge cluster, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a front cabin armrest. 

Handling on-board entertainment and navigation for the Aion UT is a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The said screen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is also linked to a six-piece speaker set, and occupants can charge up their devices using USB ports or a 12-volt accessory outlet. 

Additionally, the Aion UT’s infotainment display provides an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, and online navigation. It can likewise accept voice commands. 

Safety-wise, the GAC Aion UT’s basic kit consists of dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, a tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, front/rear parking sensors, vehicle dynamics control, hill-hold control, and an anti-theft system - among others.

The model also has a suite of advanced driver-assist systems, which include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Integrated cruise assist
• Intelligent high beams
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Emergency lane keeping
• Blind spot detection
• Rear collision warning
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Surround view camera

At launch, the GAC Aion UT has an introductory price of P998,000. Its suggested retail price, meanwhile, starts at P1.068 million. 

BYD Dolphin

While the GAC Aion UT is affordable enough to compete with the BYD Seagull (given its introductory price), its closest BYD rival, size-wise, is the Dolphin. Currently, the aforementioned BYD hatchback retails at P1.398 million. 

For its powertrain, the BYD Dolphin uses a single electric motor linked to a 44.9 kWh Blade battery. As a result, this hatch can produce up to 93 hp and 180 Nm of torque. It can also cover a range of 405 km, according to NEDC.

Topping up the BYD Dolphin is done via a DC port, which can increase the car’s state of charge (SOC) from 30 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. Similar to its GAC rival, the Dolphin also offers selectable drive modes, vehicle-to-load functionality, and regenerative braking. 

In terms of appearance, the Dolphin goes for a vaguely aerodynamic wedge shape at the front, which transitions to the usual curves of a hatchback towards the rear. Up front, it gets a pair of eagle-eyed LED headlamp clusters, thin and curved LED daytime running lamps, and a small-ish vent. Its side section is adorned with black plastic cladding on its wheel arches, while its rear features a familiar-looking LED taillight and a modest-looking faux diffuser. 

Here are the dimensions of the BYD Dolphin, for reference: 

Length (in millimeters)	4,125
Width (in mm)	1,770
Height (in mm)	1,570
Wheelbase length (in mm)	2,700
Ground clearance (in mm)	120

Notably, the Dolphin is much smaller than the GAC Aion UT. It also has less ground clearance, but the differences between wheelbase length are marginal. 

Inside the BYD Dolphin is a five-seater layout with automatic air conditioning, leather seats, manually adjustable front seats, and a PM2.5 filter.

Likewise present is a 5-inch digital gauge, an electronic parking brake, Smart keyless entry functionality, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The model’s main display, meanwhile, 12.8-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This screen is connected to a six-piece Dirac speaker set, while charging devices inside the car is done via USB ports or a 12-volt accessory outlet. 

Safety-wise, the model comes standard with dual front airbags, side airbags, side curtain airbags, ISOFIX, traction control, hill-start hold control, an anti-theft system, tire pressure monitoring, a brake feedback system, electronic stability control, rear parking sensors, cruise control, and a 360-degree view camera. 

Unlike the GAC Aion UT, the BYD Dolphin doesn’t come with an ADAS suite. 

Dongfeng Nammi

Also competing against the GAC Aion UT is the Dongfeng Nammi. Currently, it retails at P1.238 million for the Philippine market. 

For its powertrain, the Nammi uses a single electric motor and a 42.3 kWh battery. It is also front-wheel-drive and is equipped with a regenerative braking system, a Type 2 DC charge port, and a drive mode selector. 

From a single full charge, the Dongfeng Nammi can cover up to 430 km, according to the CLTC. It also has a peak output of 93 hp and 160 Nm of torque. Topping up the said model from 30-80 percent can also be done in just 30 minutes. 

The overall shape of the Dongfeng Nammi can be described as the prototypical hatchback, but it does get a unique front end with a curvy LED light design, as well as a funky overall look thanks to its two-tone paint job. 

Regarding exterior equipment, the Dongfeng Nammi comes with automatic headlamps, frameless door windows, flush door handles, and 17-inch wheels. 

Here are the dimensions of the Dongfeng Nammi: 

Length (in millimeters)	4,030
Width (in mm)	1,810
Height (in mm)	1,570
Wheelbase length (in mm)	2,660
Ground clearance (in mm)	176

Like its competitors listed above, the Dongfeng Nammi is a five-seater model; otherwise, it is a far smaller ride compared to the GAC Aion UT. 

For its interior, the Nammi comes with leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning, manually adjustable front seats, and ambient lighting. Its driver, on the other hand, has access to amenities like an electronic parking brake, a leather steering wheel, and a five-inch digital gauge cluster. 

On-board entertainment and navigation for the Nammi is provided by a 12-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen with mobile phone mirroring and Bluetooth. It also has a six-piece speaker set. Topping up devices inside the Dongfeng nameplate, meanwhile, is done via a 12-volt accessory outlet, USB ports, or a wireless smartphone charging pad. 

Safety-wise, the Dongfeng Nammi was kitted out with dual front airbags, traction control, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX, a 360-degree view camera, front and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and tire pressure monitoring - among others. 

It also comes with an ADAS suite, which consists of automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane centering, traffic jam assist, highway assist, and intelligent high beam control.

So far on this list, the Dongfeng Nammi is the only model to offer an automated parking assist feature. This simply means the car can slot into a parking spot on its own, without the driver's intervention. 

Final thoughts

Overall, the GAC Aion UT clearly has some advantages over its two closest rivals. For starters, it has the most power and a comparable range. On the one hand, the Dongfeng Nammi comes with the most comprehensive ADAS suite among the three, while the BYD Dolphin arguably has the best on-board entertainment system. 

The GAC Aion UT, however, does strike a good balance between comfort and safety. Furthermore, it is definitely the most spacious among the three, considering that it is already a larger compact nameplate. These add to the fact that it is far more affordable than the BYD and Dongfeng nameplates - even after its limited-time introductory period expires by June 2026. 

Again, for reference, the GAC Aion UT’s suggested retail price is P1.068 million, making it one of the most accessible all-electric compact hatchbacks on the market right now. 

Also read:

GAC GS8 HEV vs. other hybrid mid-size SUVs

Check out GAC International PH’s current lineup of NEV models

Toyota Avanza vs. MG G50 Plus vs. GAC M6 Pro: family feud

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