GAC EMZoom review

Chinese car maker GAC recently arrived on the Australian market, launching three new models including the four-cylinder petrol powered EMZoom compact SUV.

Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) is one of a half dozen or more new Chinese brands that launched in Australia during 2025, swelling the number of Chinese brands competing in our market to over 20.

While new to Australia, GAC is well established in its Chinese domestic market, where it started building commercial vehicles in the late 1990s in partnership with Toyota and Honda, before branching out into its own passenger cars in 2010.

The brand claims annual sales of more than two million vehicles, with design centres in Milan, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and a growing presence in over 70 markets internationally.

Unusually, GAC’s arrival was heralded by the launch of not one but three new models, comprising the Aion V, an all-electric medium SUV; the EMZoom, an internal-combustion (ICE) powered compact-SUV; and the M8, a seven-seat people mover with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

We’re focused here on the EMZoom, GAC’s most affordable model and likely to be the brand’s biggest seller.

Like its stablemates, the EMZoom is spelt in all caps as are all models in the brand’s marketing and communications literature, but we’ve chosen to maintain some linguistic independence.

How much does a GAC EMZoom cost?

The GAC EMzoom is a tech-packed compact-SUV that is offered in a single luxury trim level priced at $25,590 plus on-road costs.

Among its long list of standard features are a power opening panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade, power tailgate, LED automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, electric folding rearview mirrors, and electric hidden door handles.

Tell me about the GAC EMZoom exterior design?

The EMZoom is a smartly designed compact-SUV with several interesting design features including electric hidden door handles and a flying wing style front grille.

Split LED headlights and a distinctive rear-light signature help deliver a bold, contemporary look, as do the sharply cut exterior styling lines and angles.

What is the GAC EMZoom like inside?

The GAC EMZoom features a smartly- designed, well- finished and contemporary-looking cabin.

Interior materials are a mix of soft touch materials on the dash and doors and artificial leather-clad seats, with a dark fabric headlining, and chrome highlights around the dash.

A large 14.6-inch central touch screen provides crisp clear graphics and a reasonably intuitive interface, with a row of physical buttons below for the dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and audio system.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a 50W wireless phone charger, 360-degree surround view camera and a six-speaker DTS audio system.

LED strip lights in the doors and dash provide a bit of wow factor, with practicalities taken care of by a lidded centre console and open area below the floating centre console which provides oddment stowage.

The driver’s seat is comfortable and supportive with six-way power adjustment and ventilation, but the passenger seat is four-way manual adjust only.

The driving position is comfortable, with adequate adjustment of the seat and steering wheel, and all-round visibility is good.

Ahead of the driver is a digital dash with clear read out of vehicle speed and other relevant information, plus a chunky leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel. Gear selection is via a stubby lever on the console.

An electric opening panoramic sunroof allows plenty of light into the cabin, with an accompanying electric sunshade for when things get too hot.

The rear of the cabin features air-con outlets but no fan or temperature controls, plus a single Type A USB Port.

A rear seat centre armrest and 60/40 flat-fold seats are other notable inclusions.

The luggage bay offers 341 litres of boot space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1271 litres when the seats are folded, which is decent without being class-leading in this segment.

What powers the GAC EMZoom?

The GAC EMZoom is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that sends its 125kW/270Nm to the front wheels via a seven-speed ‘wet’ dual-clutch transmission, and returns claimed combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.6L/100km.

That’s a decent amount of power for a small SUV, outpointing rivals like the Chery Tiggo 4 (from $23,990) and GWM-Haval Jolion (from $26,990 driveaway).

The dual-clutch transmission is unusual in this segment where torque converter automatics or CVTs are more common. The transmission offers Eco, Comfort, and Sport modes.

Is the GAC EMZoom good to drive?

The turbocharged engine is a perky unit and feels quite lively but is let down at times by the dual-clutch transmission, which suffers the characteristic problem of lurching low-speed acceleration and take-offs.

Once up and rolling, the gearbox shifts smoothy and quickly, compensating for its low-speed hesitation with crisply executed shifts up and down the ratios. There are no paddle shifts to allow manual control.

The suspension comprises McPherson Struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear.

The EMZoom feels competent dynamically, with decent response and weighting from the electric power steering and adequate grip from the 225/55 R18 tyres.

While it sits quite well on the road the EMZoom feels a bit more fidgety than ideal, possibly due to the test car having its tyres over-inflated to sharpen the handling.

Given that it’s not the sort of car to go corner carving in, we’d prefer lower tyre pressures and better ride comfort.

What safety features does a GAC EMZoom have?

The EMZoom doesn’t have an official ANCAP safety rating but comes with an array of ADAS systems including Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane-Departure Warnings, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Blind Spot Warning.

Passive safety comes in the form of six airbags, comprising dual front, front side and side curtain.

GAC also points to its patented safety design technology for the vehicle body or passenger safety cell which it claims delivers excellent protection thanks to extensive use of high-strength and hot-stamped steel.

How does the GAC EMZoom compare?

The GAC EMZoom competes in the crowded and fiercely-competitive small-SUV segment alongside 24 other nameplates including fellow Chinese rivals the MG ZS, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, and GWM Haval Jolion.

Other notable players include the Hyundai Kona, which tops the segment, Mitsubishi ASX which holds second place, Mazda CX-30, and Toyota Corolla Cross.

While the Japanese and Korean players are well established and have a solid reputation for quality and reliability the sheer volume of keenly priced Chinese-made competitors means the established hierarchy is shifting.

Consumers are the obvious winners, with more choice than ever, much of it at super-keen price points.

The segment leading Hyundai Kona has been a popular small SUV staple since the first-generation model launched here in 2019, with the second-generation launched in 2023 featuring turbocharged and atmospheric petrol four-cylinder engines, as well as hybrid electric (HEV) and battery electric (BEV) models.

Pricing for the entry-level 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder powered Kona starts at $32,950, which underscores the keen pricing of the GAC EMZoom, as well as fellow Chinese vehicles the Chery Tiggo 4 (from $23,990 MRLP) and GWM-Haval Jolion ($26,990 driveaway).

GAC has clearly pitched the EMZoom into this latter mix with its $25,990 (MRLP) pricing, but has given it the added edge of being a fully specified variant, where rivals at this price are more likely to be entry level models.

Should I buy a GAC EMZoom?

Buying any vehicle from the swarm of new Chinese brands that arrived on our shores in 2025 warrants careful consideration.

Many of these brands, and we count GAC as one, have arrived with bold plans and big ambitions but without the necessary parts and service backup to give consumers confidence they can get these vehicles serviced and repaired without unnecessary delays.

There is also the not inconsequential question of the brand having no track record here and so no local evidence of the quality or reliability of its vehicles.

This is not something unique to GAC, as similar concerns apply to other newcomers including Deepal, Foton, Geely, JAC, Jaecoo, XPeng, Leapmotor, Zeekr and others.

We have no specific concerns or evidence to suggest these vehicles are any less reliable than a Korean or Japanese rival, only that the latter have been established here a long time and have national parts and distribution networks that have been built up over many decades.

For its part, GAC points to its near three decades of experience in automotive manufacturing, and to the fact it has continuously held J.D. Powers’ title for Chinese Initial Quality Study (IQS) – an accolade that recognises overall new-vehicle quality – for eight consecutive years.

The EMZoom is supported by a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, with five-years of roadside assistance.

That’s encouraging, but at the time of writing GAC’s website indicated the brand has just 10 stores in Australia, including Capalaba, Albion, Maroochydore and Cairns in Queensland, albeit with plans to rapidly grow the network to 20 and beyond.

For buyers who live close to one of these locations and who are tempted by the EMZoom’s combination of performance, features and pricing, the vehicle is certainly worth adding to a shortlist.
For others, who may live hours away from a GAC service outlet, our advice is to wait until the brand is better established here.

GAC EMZoom specifications

• PRICE: $25,990 (MRLP)
• WARRANTY: Sevent years, unlimited kilometres
• POWERTRAIN: Turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder (125kW/270Nm); seven-speed ‘wet’ dual-clutch transmission; front-wheel driv
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not tested
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 6.6L/100km (153.12g/km CO2)
• FOR: Keenly priced, well equipped, perky performance, good tech, attractive design.
• AGAINST: No spare wheel (temporary spare), low-speed transmission shunt, firm ride, no ANCAP rating, lack of dealers and servicing network.