GAC Motor: who it is, what cars it produces and is it worth buying

GAC Motor is a name that is increasingly found on the Russian car market, but many still do not know what kind of company it is. Meanwhile, this Chinese manufacturer has long ceased to be an outsider: its models compete with Korean and Japanese brands, and in some respects are even ahead of them. If you are considering buying a car GAC, but you doubt the reliability of Chinese technology - this article will help you understand the details.

We analyzed the history of the brand, the technical features of its cars, as well as real reviews from owners. Particular attention was paid to models officially supplied to Russia: GAC GS8, Aion V and others. You will find out how the Chinese manufacturer differs from its competitors, what its weaknesses are and whether you should trust warranty service in the Russian Federation.

Who is GAC: brand history and owners

GAC Group (full name - Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd.) is a state-owned automaker from China, founded in 1997. The headquarters is located in Guangzhou, and the brand itself GAC Motor appeared later, in 2008, as a subsidiary for the production of passenger cars. Today the company is one of the top 5 largest automakers in China and is actively expanding its presence in international markets.

Interesting fact: GAC has joint ventures with such giants as Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and even Fiat Chrysler. This means that the Chinese manufacturer is not just copying other people’s technologies, but is actively collaborating with world leaders. For example, model GAC GS8 was developed with the participation of engineers from Japan and Italy.

• 📅 1997 - base GAC Group as a state enterprise.
• 🚗 2008 — brand launch GAC Motor for the production of passenger cars.
• 🌍 2017 — start of exports to the USA, Europe and the Middle East.
• 🇷🇺 2021 — official entry into the Russian market.

In Russia GAC presented in 2021 through the dealer network, but cannot yet boast the same popularity as Geely or Changan. The reason is higher price and less brand awareness. However, the company is actively investing in marketing and plans to increase sales in the Russian Federation 5 times by 2026.

GAC models in Russia: which cars are officially sold

Officially presented in Russia for 2026 4 GAC models:

Model	Body type	Price (from/to), RUB million	Features
GAC GS8	Crossover (D-class)	3.2 — 4.1	Flagship with hybrid version, premium trim, adaptive suspension
GAC GS4	Crossover (C-Class)	2.5 — 3.0	Budget option with good equipment, popular in taxis
GAC Aion V	Electric car (hatchback)	3.8 — 4.5	Power reserve up to 600 km, fast charging, premium design
GAC Empow	Sedan (D-class)	3.0 — 3.7	Sports design, 2.0 turbo engine, all-wheel drive

The best-selling model in the Russian Federation remains GAC GS8 — it accounts for about 60% of all brand sales. This crossover is positioned as premium and competes with Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe. The following are included as standard:

• 🔹 Leather interior with heating/ventilation
• 🔹Adaptive cruise control ACC
• 🔹 System 360° cameras and parking sensors
• 🔹 Multimedia supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

An important nuance: all GAC models for Russia are adapted to local conditions - anti-corrosion treatment has been enhanced, the suspension has been improved for bad roads, and frost-resistant materials are used in the interior. This distinguishes the brand from many other Chinese manufacturers who supply “raw” versions to the Russian Federation.

Technical features of GAC cars: pros and cons

Cars GAC often praised for price/quality ratio, but they also have specific features that you should know about before purchasing.

Benefits:

• ✅ Elaborate design — many models were developed with the participation of Italian studios (for example, Pininfarina).
• ✅ Rich basic equipment — even the minimum version has climate control, a rear view camera and multimedia with a large screen.
• ✅ Adaptation for Russia — increased ground clearance (up to 200 mm for GS8), crankcase protection, reinforced bumpers.
• ✅ Hybrid and electric versions - for example, Aion V offers a range of up to 600 km per cycle NEDC.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Expensive service — spare parts often have to wait 2-4 weeks, and their price is comparable to European brands.
• ❌ Weak secondary - cars lose value faster than Toyota or Kia, due to low demand.
• ❌ Not all dealers are ready for repairs — some services refuse to undertake warranty repairs due to a shortage of spare parts.
• ❌ Electronics can glitch — owners complain about multimedia and system malfunctions ADAS.

Be especially critical of GAC electric vehicles. For example, Aion V has good characteristics on paper, but in practice owners face problems:

⚠️ Attention! In frosts below –20°C the actual power reserve Aion V may decrease by 30–40%. There are also complaints about slow charging from household outlets (up to 12 hours to fully charge).

Comparison with competitors

According to technical characteristics GAC GS8 not inferior Hyundai Santa Fe, but loses in reliability and cost of ownership. But it wins in terms of equipment: even the basic version has a panoramic roof and ventilated seats, which the Koreans only have in top trim levels.

Detailed comparison of GAC GS8 and Hyundai Santa Fe

The GAC GS8 is 300–500 thousand rubles cheaper, but has a less reliable engine (2.0T versus 2.5T for Hyundai). But the Chinese have better sound insulation and richer equipment. The warranty from GAC is 5 years or 150 thousand km, and Hyundai is 5 years without mileage limitation.

Owner reviews: real operating experience

To understand whether it's worth buying GAC, we analyzed reviews on Drom.ru, Drive2 and thematic forums. Here's what the owners say:

Positive Feedback:

• 👍 "GS8 for 3.5 million ₽ - it’s like Highlander for 5 million. Design, interior, equipment - everything is at the premium level." (Alexey, Moscow)
• 👍 "For six months of operation Aion V never let you down. The charge is enough for 400 km on the highway, and at home I charge it overnight." (Igor, St. Petersburg)
• 👍 "The suspension is softer than Rav4. It doesn’t rattle on bumps, although I drive on Siberian roads." (Dmitry, Novosibirsk)

Negative feedback:

• 👎 "After 20 thousand km, the steering wheel began to creak. The dealer said that this is normal for Chinese cars." (Sergey, Ekaterinburg)
• 👎 "Multimedia is slow and sometimes reboots. Firmware update did not help." (Olga, Kazan)
• 👎 "At –25°C Aion V loses half of its power reserve. I had to install battery heating." (Anton, Krasnoyarsk)

Overall Owner Satisfaction Rating GAC on Drom.ru — 4.1 out of 5. For comparison: Geely — 4.3, y Changan - 4.0. The main complaints concern electronics and service, while in terms of comfort and design most reviews are positive.

Service and warranty: what you need to know before buying

Official warranty for all models GAC in Russia - 5 years or 150,000 km (whichever comes first). This is one of the best indicators on the market, but there are nuances:

1. Warranty valid only when serviced by official dealers. If you have your service repaired by a third-party service, it may be cancelled.
2. Spare parts under warranty delivered up to 30 days - this means that the car can be idle for several weeks.
3. Not all dealers have certified craftsmen for working with hybrid and electric models.

As of 2026, it operates in Russia 45 official GAC dealers, but their geography is limited to large cities. For example, in Siberia and the Far East there are service centers only in regional centers. Before purchasing, check dealer availability in your area at official website.

⚠️ Attention! If you buy GAC with mileage, make sure that the previous owner serviced the car at an authorized dealer. Otherwise, the warranty will automatically expire, and repairs may cost 1.5–2 times more than with Korean brands.

Maintenance cost GAC comparable to Kia/Hyundai:

• 🔧 First maintenance (15,000 km) — ~12,000 ₽
• 🔧 Second maintenance (30,000 km) — ~18,000 ₽
• 🔧 Replacement of brake pads - from 8,000 ₽ (original)

Prospects for GAC in the Russian market: is it worth waiting for new models

In 2026–2026 GAC Motor plans to expand the line in Russia. Among the expected new products:

• 🚘 GAC GS3 — compact crossover (competitor Hyundai Creta), price from 2.2 million ₽.
• 🚗 GAC Empow GT — sports sedan with a hybrid installation (300 hp).
• ⚡ GAC Aion Y — an electric crossover with a power reserve of 500+ km.

The company also announced localization of production in Russia - assembly is expected GS8 and Aion V at the facilities of the former plant Nissan in St. Petersburg. This should reduce prices by 10-15% and speed up the supply of spare parts.

However, there are risks:

• 📉 Weak secondary market - sell in 3-5 years GAC it will be more difficult than Toyota or Mazda.
• 🔌 Lack of charging stations - for electric vehicles Aion this is critical.
• 💰 Possible price increase due to sanctions on Chinese components.

If you are not ready to take risks, it is better to wait 1-2 years and see how the new models perform on the Russian market. For those who want to buy GAC already now, we recommend that you pay attention to GS8 - This is the most proven and adapted model.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the GAC

❓ Is GAC a Chinese brand or a joint venture with Japan?

GAC Motor is a completely Chinese company, but it has joint ventures with Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi. Some technologies (for example, hybrid systems) are borrowed from Japanese partners.

❓ What is the most reliable GAC model for Russia?

According to reviews from owners and experts, the most reliable considered GAC GS8 with gasoline engine 2.0T. Hybrid and electric versions (Aion V) so far have more complaints about batteries and electronics.

❓ How much does GAC service cost compared to Kia or Hyundai?

Maintenance cost GAC about 10-20% higher than Korean brands. For example, changing oil and filters costs 8–10 thousand rubles (for Kia - 6–8 thousand ₽). Spare parts are also 20–30% more expensive.

❓ Is it possible to install non-original spare parts on GAC?

Theoretically it is possible, but this voids the warranty. In addition, many parts (for example, suspension elements or electronics) are not yet produced by third-party brands, so there is no alternative to the original.

❓ Does GAC plan to produce diesel models for Russia?

No, the company has completely abandoned diesel engines in favor of hybrids and electric vehicles. In line GAC there will be no more diesel versions.