GAC GS8 HEV

The GAC GS8 HEV features a premium, minimalist cabin with a blend of soft-touch panels and sleek silver accents. The driver and front passenger’s seats offer massage, ventilation, and heating functions. This SUV’s second row also delivers elevated comfort and a luxurious riding experience, thanks to its seats with aviation-style headrests. Meanwhile, taller and larger passengers may find the third row a bit cramped due to limited headroom and legroom. To compensate for this, you get a generous amount of cargo space when you fold the third-row seats.

Up front, drivers have access to a 30-inch TFT heads-up display, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel, a multi-control steering wheel wrapped in leather, and a modern-looking gear lever with a unique geometric style. 

For entertainment and information accessibility, this SUV comes with a 14.6-inch HD LCD touchscreen display that has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth Handsfree phone system, and a voice control feature. This is paired with a premium 10-speaker Alpine sound system for an immersive sound experience. 

Aside from that, this SUV also offers multiple USB ports and a wireless charger for added convenience. In terms of aesthetics, the GS8 HEV gets a multi-coloured intelligent ambient lighting system and a panoramic sunroof. Overall, its interior offers a mix of premium comfort, advanced functionality, and practicality.

The GAC GS8 HEV exudes a mix of ruggedness and sophistication wherever it goes. It looks brash and elegant at the same time, showcasing its versatility on the road. At the front, it sports GAC’s “Victory” chrome grille, giving it a strong demeanor. Its facade is illuminated by LED DRLs and “Eye of the Conqueror” LED sequential headlights, which make it stand out from the crowd. Its headlights are equipped with high beam assist.

On the sides, its silhouette, enhanced by 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a unique star-like pattern, encapsulates the brand’s “Star Diamond” philosophy. Additionally, its muscular SUV side profile is complemented by sleek chrome trims and power, auto-folding mirrors with intelligent memory, reversing auto flip, and heating functions.

Meanwhile, at the back, it features hypermodern-looking LED tail lights, which give it a distinct look at night. It also gets a pair of fog lights for enhanced visibility when exploring off-road trails. Its two-toned bumper with huge chrome dual exhaust pipes add more sportiness and elegance to its overall appearance. And, on top of this, it comes with a power tailgate for a more premium and convenient feel.

In terms of dimensions, the GAC GS8 HEV measures 5,015 mm in length, 1,950 mm in width, and 1,780 mm in height. This hybrid SUV also has a wheelbase of 2,920 mm.

In terms of suspension, the GAC GS8 HEV is equipped with MacPherson Struts at the front and a Multi-Link at the rear. It is quite nimble to maneuver in the city for a full-size SUV. It also soaks up bumpy, uneven roads and light off-road trails with ease, resulting in a supple riding experience for everyone on board, both on- and off-road.

Powering the GS8 HEV is a combination of GAC’s 2.0T Mega Wave Powertrain, which produces 140 kW (188 hp) of maximum power and 320 Nm of maximum torque, and a fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS II), which uses two electric motors. The front motor delivers 134 kW (180 hp) of power and 270 Nm of torque, while the rear motor generates 40 kW (54 hp) and 121 Nm. This SUV comes mated to an electronic continuously variable transmission system and utilizes an all-wheel drivetrain.

The GS8 HEV’s hybrid powertrain delivers a nice punch off the line. It is quick and energetic on the highway, yet remains smooth and very refined at city speeds. It is also very adaptable to the driver’s current driving condition, thanks to its four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, and Sport. On top of this, it offers better fuel economy than its ICE-powered predecessor, delivering an impressive fuel consumption of 5.8L/100 km.

GAC went all out with the GS8 HEV’s safety features. It comes with a comprehensive ADAS suite, which consists of a 540-degree HD surround vision parking system, front and rear parking sensors, a digital video recorder, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, integrated cruise assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Aside from that, its brakes are also supported by an electronic parking brake with autohold, electronic stability program, hill-start hold control, hill descent control, and a hydraulic brake assist.

The GS8 HEV showcases GAC’s standard of versatility. It hits a sweet spot for families who value practicality and comfort on the road while also having a go-anywhere personality.