AION UT brings 268-mile range to the UK electric supermini market
AION has launched the new AION UT electric supermini in the UK, combining a 268-mile WLTP range with a spacious interior, advanced technology and a comprehensive package of safety and ownership features.
John Barnes, one of Fleetpoint‘s vehicle reviewers, spent a day at the AION UT Test Drive Event at Rackley’s Chiltern Mills, and had the opportunity to spend significant time, both as a passenger and a driver of the vehicle.
“I was partnered with another journalist, Chris, and we had two routes to choose from. The first was a shorter one-hour journey, while the second was a two-hour drive with a coffee stop after the first hour.
“Naturally, we opted for the two-hour route.
“Chris drove for the first hour, giving me the opportunity to experience the UT from the passenger seat and really concentrate on the ride and comfort. After our coffee stop, we swapped places and I took the wheel for the second hour.
“Having the opportunity to experience the Aion UT as both a passenger and a driver gave me a much better overall impression of the vehicle.
“And I have to say, the UT didn’t disappoint.
“I particularly enjoyed the handling, the suspension and, most of all, the comfort. Despite spending around two hours in the vehicle, it genuinely didn’t feel like we had been driving for that length of time. The overall driving experience was relaxed and comfortable, which I found particularly impressive.”
Designed for the European market by GAC’s Milan design studio, the AION UT has a distinctive, compact silhouette with sleek aerodynamic surfaces, dynamic LED headlights and playful ‘pixel graphic’ daytime running lights. Owl-eye-inspired headlights sit above an asymmetrically textured lower bumper, giving the electric hatchback a distinctive appearance.
The model is available with five metallic exterior paint finishes. Rocco White and Titian Red are standard, while Jade Green and Night Shadow Black cost £595. Seine Silver is also priced at £595 but is available only when the £1,200 Premium Pack is selected.
The AION UT was shaped by GAC’s Guangzhou R&D centre and tested using one of China’s most advanced wind tunnels, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.32 to help maximise efficiency and range. Two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres are fitted as standard.
AION vehicles are designed by teams in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Milan, with the European design centre playing an important role in the brand’s global strategy. The UT’s design was led by the Milan team, with the brief to combine Eastern automotive innovation with sophisticated European styling.
Premium quality in a spacious cabin
The modern exterior is matched by an interior designed to deliver a level of quality and finish more commonly associated with larger premium vehicles.
Sharing its platform with the AION V, the UT has a 2,750mm wheelbase, helping to create a spacious cabin with generous legroom for both front and rear passengers.
Soft-touch fabrics and perforated leatherette upholstery provide premium touchpoints, while the minimalist dashboard and door cards feature subtly textured surfaces created using a heat embossing process. Bright aluminium interior trim adds further visual appeal.
The cabin is available in Noir as standard, while French Cream leather upholstery costs £195 and is available with the Premium Pack.
The heated, manually adjustable steering wheel incorporates physical controls on its spokes, while an 8.88-inch LCD instrument display sits ahead of the driver. A centrally mounted 14.6-inch multifunction touchscreen provides access to infotainment and vehicle settings, with both light and dark display themes available.
The front seats use GAC’s ‘Butterfly’ design and feature electric adjustment, with six-way adjustment for the driver and four-way adjustment for the front passenger. Variable-density foam is used to provide body support and ergonomic comfort, while both front seats feature three-stage heating. Driver’s-seat ventilation is added with the Premium Pack.
Rear passengers also benefit from generous space, with rear seatbacks reclining by up to 103 degrees.
The inner panels of all four doors are made using low-carbon green steel with a high recycled steel ratio.
Premium Pack adds further convenience
Priced at £1,200, the Premium Pack adds a range of equipment designed to enhance comfort and practicality.
A large panoramic glass roof with a full-length electric sunshade brings additional light into the cabin, while the driver’s seat gains three-stage ventilation. An automatic anti-glare rear-view mirror and electrically folding door mirrors are also included.
The pack also adds a smart powered tailgate, wireless phone charging and a rear USB-A port. It unlocks the option of Seine Silver exterior paint for £595 and French Cream interior upholstery for £195.
ADiGO technology and connected infotainment
The AION UT’s onboard technology is powered by GAC’s proprietary AI-enabled ADiGO operating system, which brings together advanced driver assistance systems, infotainment, AI assistance, cloud services and over-the-air updates.
A Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8155P automotive-grade processor is designed to provide rapid responses through the touchscreen and voice-activated virtual assistant.
The 14.6-inch colour touchscreen provides access to vehicle functions and infotainment, while frequently used controls remain available through permanent soft keys along its lower edge. These include climate control, seat heating, audio volume, heated rear screen, 360-degree surround-view cameras, door locking and unlocking, and panoramic roof blind controls when the Premium Pack is fitted.
The home screen can also be customised with user-defined widgets, while owners can upload their own image or scrolling photo album as the desktop background.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, alongside a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The audio system uses six speakers with a combined 140-watt output, including 20W tweeters in the front pillars and 25W speakers in each door.
The ADiGO intelligent virtual assistant can be activated using a steering wheel button or voice prompt. It provides voice control of functions including climate, windows and audio, with two-zone voice recognition allowing commands such as ‘open my window’ while driving.
ADiGO Sound Lite allows owners to direct audio towards four zones: the driver, front passenger, centre of the vehicle or rear seats. A selection of high-fidelity equaliser settings is also available.
USB-A and USB-C connections are provided at the front of the centre console, while the Premium Pack adds a cooled wireless charging pad and rear USB-A port. Twelve-volt sockets are available in both the front of the vehicle and boot.
Practicality designed for everyday use
Despite its supermini dimensions, the AION UT is designed to provide the practicality and interior flexibility associated with larger vehicles.
The rear doors open to almost 90 degrees, making it easier to access the rear seats and install child seats. Both outer rear seats feature ISOFIX and i-Size-compatible fittings.
The boot has an adjustable floor and offers up to 440 litres of cargo capacity to the roof. Folding the rear seats increases total capacity to 1,600 litres.
There are 24 storage compartments and cubbies throughout the cabin, providing dedicated space for items ranging from mobile phones to drinks. A dedicated shoe storage compartment is also incorporated into the boot.
The deep boot well provides space for the charging cable and tyre inflation kit. The adjustable boot floor can either sit below the boot lip, creating a shallow tray, or at boot lip level to provide a flatter loading surface and additional concealed storage.
The floor can be lifted to provide access to the lower storage tier regardless of its position. The Premium Pack adds an electronic tailgate.
268-mile range and rapid charging
The AION UT offers a 268-mile WLTP range, which the company describes as the longest standard range among electric B-segment vehicles in the UK.
The model uses the same third-generation GAC AEP 3.0 platform as the AION V. The battery and drivetrain are integrated into a ‘skateboard’ structure designed to maximise cabin space.
Its 400V electrical architecture supports DC charging at up to 87kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10-80% in as little as 32 minutes, or from 30-80% in 24 minutes.
An 11kW onboard charger enables a full charge at home in around six hours and 50 minutes. Charging can also be started, stopped and scheduled remotely through the AION app.
Developed with battery technology specialist CATL, the UT uses a 60kWh Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) battery. The chemistry offers greater chemical stability and cycle life than some alternative battery technologies, while providing greater tolerance of high states of charge.
The battery uses GAC’s proprietary Magazine Battery 2.0 technology. Its slimmer design compared with the AION V version helps maximise interior space.
The battery packs are housed in independent, ultra-high-heat-resistant compartments with multi-layer insulation for passive thermal management. GAC’s fifth-generation all-climate, 24/7 high-frequency battery monitoring system can activate active rapid cooling technology designed to increase heat dissipation by 30%.
GAC says Magazine Battery 2.0 is the first battery safety technology to pass both impact and nail penetration tests without ignition, open flame or thermal runaway, and describes it as the safest EV battery technology in any car currently on sale globally.
A four-stage 10kW heat pump is standard across the UT range. It is designed to maintain the battery within its optimal temperature range, supporting efficiency, driving range and charging performance in cold conditions.
The system can operate at temperatures as low as -30°C and is also designed to heat the cabin more efficiently than a conventional resistive heater. GAC says it uses around half the parts of a conventional system and is 48% lighter.
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability is also standard, allowing the AION UT to act as a mobile power source for devices and tools. With a dealer-supplied adaptor, the charging port can provide a domestic three-pin socket delivering up to 3.3kW at 220V AC.
A failsafe prevents the V2L system from reducing the battery’s state of charge below 10%.
204PS motor delivers responsive performance
The front-wheel-drive AION UT is powered by a 150kW (204PS) electric motor producing 210Nm of maximum torque.
The combination is intended to provide responsive acceleration while maintaining everyday efficiency and range.
MacPherson independent front suspension is paired with a rear torsion beam, providing a relatively simple and robust arrangement while helping maximise cabin and boot space.
The braking system comprises ventilated 320mm front discs and solid 308mm rear discs, supported by AutoHold for greater convenience in stop-start traffic.
Drivers can select Sport, Comfort and Power Save driving modes.
Sport mode provides maximum torque and sharper throttle response, while Power Save reduces throttle response and adjusts climate control settings to maximise available range. Comfort mode is designed to balance efficiency with normal cabin functionality.
Two levels of regenerative braking can also be selected, helping to recover energy and potentially improve efficiency in urban driving.
AION UT suspension tuned for UK roads
Although the AION UT is designed for global markets, AION Auto UK worked with GAC to optimise the car for British conditions.
Particular attention was given to the suspension, with the UK-specific development programme considering British roads, driving preferences and traffic conditions.
The result includes a revised anti-roll bar, new spring and damper rates and reconfigured bump stops, designed to deliver a playful but composed ride.
The company has also applied lessons from the AION V to improve the UT’s UK market insurability. AION says its work on the AION V included a 12-month development process with Thatcham Research, with the resulting knowledge transferred to the UT.
The AION UT has a group 26U insurance rating, which AION describes as one of the lowest among B-segment hatchbacks from new entrant brands.
Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
The AION UT was awarded five stars by Euro NCAP when tested under the organisation’s new and more stringent assessment method in September 2026.
High-strength materials are used extensively within the body structure to create an energy-absorbing shell designed to maintain passenger cell integrity during a collision.
Seven airbags are fitted, including dual front, side, centre (distal) and full-length curtain airbags. The distal airbag deploys between the driver and front passenger during a side impact, helping to reduce the risk of direct head-to-head contact.
The extended curtain airbag design provides additional protection for child occupants, while i-Size fixings are fitted to both outer rear seats.
GAC’s ADiGO PILOT system provides a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Adaptive Cruise Control and Integrated Cruise Assistance are designed to support longer journeys, while Autonomous Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning provide assistance in the event of potential frontal collisions.
Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention and Emergency Lane Keeping Assist support lane positioning. Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning and Door Open Warning provide additional monitoring around the vehicle.
Intelligent High Beam Control, Driver Monitoring System technology and a standard-fit 360-degree camera system further extend the UT’s safety technology.
MY AION app supports connected ownership
The MY AION smartphone app allows owners to monitor the vehicle remotely and control a range of functions.
Users can check the battery state of charge, start or stop charging remotely and schedule charging around cheaper overnight electricity tariffs.
The app can also lock or unlock the car remotely, flash its lights and sound the horn, which can help owners locate the vehicle in a busy car park.
Remote climate control allows the cabin to be prepared before a journey, while routes can be planned through the app and sent to the car before departure.
The ‘Book a trip’ function takes this further by allowing owners to schedule a journey for a specific day and time. The cabin can be pre-conditioned to the desired temperature, while the three-stage ‘Smart Heated’ front seats can be activated.
The system can also pre-condition the battery to its optimum operating temperature before departure, helping maximise available range.
Up to five scheduled trips can be stored, including recurring journeys such as commuting, school runs or regular leisure trips.
AION Great 8 Promise supports UK ownership
AION has established a network of automotive partnerships as it expands its presence in the UK, with the AION Great 8 Promise forming a central part of its customer proposition.
The package includes an eight-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty, an eight-year/125,000-mile battery warranty, eight years of servicing, eight years of roadside assistance and MOT testing fees covered up to the eighth year from first registration.
The programme is supported by partnerships with the AA and DHL.
The AA provides roadside and home-start assistance, while AION is also using the AA’s Prestige garage network to support customers in areas where a dealership is not yet readily accessible.
The AA’s 140-strong nationwide mobile technician network can also attend customers’ homes or workplaces for routine maintenance and warranty appointments.
AION is also using the AA to provide a UK-based customer contact centre, allowing customers to speak directly to a human adviser about product and aftersales queries.
Meanwhile, DHL is supporting parts availability through a dedicated warehouse in Bury St Edmunds. The facility was operational before the first AION V customer deliveries in late May and stocks more than 1,250 part lines for nationwide next-day tracked delivery to dealers.
The UK warehouse is supported by a European parts hub in Rotterdam, providing expedited delivery of components that are not held locally. The system has been designed to scale as AION expands its UK model range.
Home charging support
AION Auto UK is also seeking to simplify the transition to electric motoring through a partnership with home charging specialist Jumptech.
Rather than tying customers to a particular charge point provider or energy company, AION says the arrangement gives buyers freedom to choose the charging equipment and energy supplier that best suits their needs and budget.
Jumptech’s software connects customers with charge point manufacturers, energy providers and installers, coordinating contact, surveys and installation through a single platform.
For AION retailers, the partnership is intended to reduce friction around home charging decisions and support the EV sales process by connecting dealer Lead Management Systems and Dealer Management Systems with approved charging and energy partners.
The AION UT therefore combines a long claimed range for the UK electric B-segment with extensive standard equipment, connected technology, a spacious interior and a comprehensive ownership package as AION continues to establish its presence in the UK market.
