GAC's answer to the Toyota Kluger one step closer to Australia

The 2026 GAC Aion S7 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has been launched in the UK – its first right-hand drive market – making the Toyota Kluger-sized large SUV more likely to be released in Australia.

According to Autocar, the S7 will receive specific chassis tweaks to suit the roughest British roads ahead of its 2027 launch in the UK

Apart from the Kluger hybrid, the Aion S7 is a rival for the BYD Sealion 6 PHEV and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV mid-size SUVs sold locally.

GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) was launched in Australia in 2025 and has plans to offer models across its Chinese-market sub-brands – including Trumpchi, Hyptec and Aion – under a unified GAC identity.

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In the UK, however, it has taken a different approach, with Aion positioned as a standalone brand without reference to GAC.

The automaker aims to be a top-10 selling brand in Australia by 2030, with at least 10 models due in local showrooms including a ute and a large SUV by the end of 2027.

The GAC Aion V mid-size electric SUV was one of three models offered from launch locally, but the S7 PHEV made a surprise appearance at the brand’s Australian launch event in Sydney last November.

GAC said its unannounced showing was designed to gather feedback from dealers and prospective customers.

An unregistered left-hand drive S7 was displayed alongside the Aion V, the petrol-powered GAC Emzoom hatchback, and the M8 PHEV people mover.

A fourth model has since been added to local showrooms with the GAC Aion UT – a Toyota Corolla-sized electric hatchback to rival the BYD Dolphin, MG 4 and GWM Ora.

The S7 – also sold as the Xiangwang S7 and Trumpchi S7 in China – is the first GAC model to use the brand’s new EV+ architecture, and features monocoque construction like its key rivals.

It adopts a blocky, Range Rover-esque stance with flared wheel-arches and a 2.6-metre-wide, AI-powered ‘expressive’ front light bar – but lacks an external tailgate-mounted spare wheel like the Land Rover Defender.

Measuring 4900mm long, 1950mm wide and 1780mm high, the S7 is slighter shorter but wider and taller than the Kluger (4966/1930/1755mm), and also has a longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs.

The S7 is also larger than the Sealion 6 and Outlander PHEV mid-sizers but offers only five seats, whereas the Mitsubishi is available with seven.

However, boot capacity is quoted at 720 litres, expanding to 2050L behind the front seats.

Inside, equipment includes leather upholstery, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 60W wireless phone charging, and a panoramic sunroof.

Powertrain specifications for the UK have not yet been confirmed, but Chinese-market versions come with a 118kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with either one or two electric motors.

Single-motor variants produce 170kW/470Nm and drive the front wheels, offering a claimed electric-only range of 82km (WLTP) with a 21.3kWh battery, or up to 145km with an optional 36.1kWh battery.

Dual-motor versions deliver 250kW/393Nm with all-wheel drive, with claimed electric-only range of 136-145km depending on the variant. Their claimed 0-100km/h acceleration figure is 5.8 seconds, compared to 7.9 seconds for single-motor grades.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include LiDAR, radar and camera-based systems, supporting functions such as automated parking and semi-autonomous freeway driving, including on- and off-ramp capability.

GAC Australia currently offers an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on the Aion V, while the M8 PHEV is covered by a seven-year vehicle warranty and an eight-year/200,000km battery warranty – likely indicative of the aftersales coverage to be offered with the S7 if it’s sold locally. MORE: Explore the GAC showroom