New AION V First UK Drive: 317 Miles, £36k & 8 Years MOT?!

The new AION V has arrived in the UK, and I’ve had an early first drive of this Chinese electric family SUV at SMMT Test Day at Millbrook. In this AION V UK first drive review, I take a quick look around the new AION V electric SUV, check out its huge rear-seat space, boot practicality, panoramic roof, cabin tech, comfort features and then take it for a short drive to see how it feels on UK roads. With a claimed 317-mile WLTP range, a starting price of £36,450, around 204PS, a 75.3kWh LFP battery, rapid charging capability and a seriously unusual ownership package including 8 years warranty, 8 years servicing, 8 years roadside assistance and 8 years MOT cover, this could be one of the most interesting new EV SUVs launching in Britain. AION is a new name for UK car buyers, but it comes from GAC Group, one of China’s major car manufacturers, and the AION V is arriving at a time when Chinese car brands are no longer sitting politely in the corner waiting to be noticed. They are here, they are priced keenly, they are loaded with equipment, and some are already making a serious impact on the UK sales charts. The big talking point with this car is not just the range or the kit, but the confidence package around it. The AION V has a strong ownership proposition, a Thatcham-focused insurance and repairability story, and the sort of long-term support package that could make nervous buyers think twice before dismissing an unfamiliar badge. Inside, the AION V feels spacious, comfortable and surprisingly posh, with massive rear legroom, reclining heated rear seats, a panoramic glass roof, a powered tailgate, big infotainment screen, voice control and the kind of family-friendly practicality that actually matters once the novelty of a touchscreen has worn off. On the road, this is not pretending to be a sports SUV. It’s smooth, easy to drive, comfortable, spacious and sensible. There is a little road noise on some surfaces, and it is very much a practical family EV rather than a driver’s car, but as a value-packed electric SUV for normal everyday use, it makes a strong first impression. So is the new AION V a genuine rival to established electric SUVs from Kia, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Tesla, MG, BYD, Omoda, Jaecoo and others? Or is it still too unknown for UK buyers to trust? Watch the video and let me know what you think in the comments. Would you consider the AION V, or does the unfamiliar badge still put you off? Visit and subscribe: https://BrownCarGuy.com for more motoring stories, videos and updates! SUBSCRIBE for more motoring news, car reviews and insights! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/browncarguy?sub_confirmation=1 And follow all my channels https://linktr.ee/browncarguy 🔥 MY BOOKS ON AMAZON! 🔥 https://browncarguy.com/2025/05/12/browncarguy-books/ 📖 Want to become an automotive journalist, content creator, or car influencer? Check out my book: How to be an Automotive Content Creator 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/7VTs0ii 📖 The ULEZ Files – My all-action thriller set in a dystopian ULEZ future! 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/jhADkOt 📖 Quantum Races – A collection of my best automotive sci-fi short stories! 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/0Y93s9g 📌 SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALISM Enjoy my content? Support the channel using the links below! Every little helps. 👉🏽 Channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/browncarguy/join 👉🏽 Buy me a Coffee! https://ko-fi.com/browncarguy 👉🏽 Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/BrownCarGuy 🙏🏽☺️ 🚗 Want to work with me? Sponsorships, reviews, collabs – DM me! Big Thanks to Design5IT www.Design5IT.co.uk Please subscribe to my channel for more videos like this - and make sure you hit the bell icon to switch on notifications. 📲 Follow @BrownCarGuy everywhere! 📧 Contact me for collaborations, freelance work, or press/media enquiries. #AionV #ElectricSUV #BrownCarGuy