Aion Y Plus vs GAC Emkoo
Verdict
At RM119,800 versus RM123,800, this is a narrow RM4,000 call between electric running and a better-equipped petrol SUV. The Aion Y Plus is quicker by a hair at 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h, has a 201 hp motor and gives you a 63.2 kWh battery with 430 km range. The GAC Emkoo is larger, has a 638-litre boot against 405 litres, and adds key driver assists the Aion lacks, including AEB, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. For family duty, the GAC has the stronger paper case.
Pick the Aion Y Plus if you want an EV with 430 km range, slightly quicker 0-100 km/h performance and the longer 8-year vehicle warranty.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want more boot space, more driver assistance kit and a larger C-segment petrol SUV for only RM4,000 more.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Aion Y Plus 201 hp/225 Nm electric motor; GAC Emkoo 175 hp/270 Nm 1.5 turbo petrol
- 0-100 km/h: Aion Y Plus 8.5 seconds; GAC Emkoo 8.8 seconds
- Size: Aion Y Plus 4,535 mm long/1,870 mm wide; GAC Emkoo 4,680 mm long/1,901 mm wide
- Boot space: Aion Y Plus 405 litres; GAC Emkoo 638 litres
- Charging/fuelling: Aion Y Plus 63.2 kWh battery, 6.6 kW AC and 80 kW DC; GAC Emkoo 55-litre petrol tank
- Warranty: Aion Y Plus 8 years/160,000 km plus 8 years/200,000 km battery; GAC Emkoo 5 years/150,000 km plus 7 years/180,000 km powertrain
Y Plus
- 201 hp electric motor and 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 430 km range with CCS DC charging up to 80 kW
- Longer 8-year/160,000 km vehicle warranty
- Much smaller boot: 405 litres versus 638 litres
- No AEB, blind spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control
- Rear torsion beam suspension versus the GAC Emkoo’s multi-link setup
Emkoo
- 638-litre boot and larger C-segment body
- AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping with steering correction and adaptive cruise control
- Powered front seats, ventilated driver’s seat and powered boot
- Slightly slower 0-100 km/h time: 8.8 seconds versus 8.5 seconds
- Shorter vehicle warranty: 5 years/150,000 km versus 8 years/160,000 km
- No EV range or home charging option; it uses a 55-litre petrol tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,800✓ | RM 123,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,497 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 175 hp |
| Torque | — | 270 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion Phosphate | — |
| Battery Capacity | 63.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 430 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 80 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 8.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,535 mm | 4,680 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,901 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,540 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres | 638 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang SU318a H/T | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 19" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 19" Two-tone Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Six-Speaker Bongiovi Sound System | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 200,000 km Warranty (Battery) | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 160 | RM 120✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Y Plus vs Emkoo FAQ
Is the Aion Y Plus or GAC Emkoo better?
The GAC Emkoo is better on paper for most family buyers, mainly because it has 638 litres of boot space and more safety tech. The Aion Y Plus makes more sense if you specifically want an EV with 430 km range.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo costs RM4,000 more than the Aion Y Plus. That gap buys a larger body, a bigger boot, AEB, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and a powered boot.
Which one has more space?
The GAC Emkoo has more cargo space, with a 638-litre boot versus 405 litres in the Aion Y Plus. Both have the same 2,750 mm wheelbase and five seats.