GAC Aion UT Cross EV set for Australia in 2027
Rugged-looking small electric SUV to rival BYD Atto 2 and Leapmotor B03X in AustraliaThe News
Chinese car-maker GAC is understood to have locked in the new Aion UT Cross electric SUV for Australia in 2027, with a likely starting price around $30,000.
The Key Details
- GAC Aion UT Cross expected to reach Australia in 2027
- Starting price anticipated around $30,000 before on-road costs
- Front-wheel-drive SUV offers 150kW and 400km WLTP range
- Raised suspension, protective body cladding and roof rails distinguish it from UT hatch
- Will rival BYD Atto 2, Leapmotor B03X and other affordable Chinese EVs
The Finer Details
Unveiled recently at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, the GAC Aion UT Cross is an SUV-inspired version of the Aion UT electric hatchback already on sale in Australia.
While GAC has yet to officially confirm an Australian launch, carsales has learned the UT Cross is expected in local showrooms next year.
It will follow the introduction of a cheaper Aion UT Standard Range (SR) hatchback, which is due before the end of 2026 with a smaller battery and an anticipated starting price below $30,000.
The UT Cross is expected to continue GAC's aggressive pricing strategy, with a starting price around $30,000 positioning it against the Leapmotor B03X, currently priced from $29,990 drive-away, and the BYD Atto 2, which starts at $31,990 before on-road costs.
Other potential competitors in the price range include the Geely EX2 and MG4 Urban, although both are conventional hatchbacks rather than SUVs.
Developed with international markets in mind and styled by GAC's Milan Design Centre, the UT Cross adds black wheel-arch extensions, protective lower body cladding, roof rails and unique alloy wheels.
Revised suspension raises the body by 20mm compared with the standard UT hatchback, while wider 225mm tyres and European-developed chassis tuning are intended to improve ride comfort and handling.
GAC quotes 147mm of ground clearance when fully loaded, although the UT Cross remains a front-wheel-drive road car rather than an off-road vehicle.
The electric powertrain is carried over from the regular Aion UT, combining a front-mounted 150kW/210Nm motor with a 60kWh lithium-ion LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery.
Claimed WLTP driving range is 400km, compared with 430km for the existing Australian-market UT hatchback.
GAC claims the battery can be recharged from 30 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes using a suitable DC fast charger.
The UT Cross retains the hatchback's 2750mm wheelbase, which contributes to its relatively spacious interior packaging.
GAC quotes 440 litres of luggage capacity and 24 interior storage compartments, while European-market equipment includes a heat pump and heated steering wheel.
Safety equipment includes seven airbags, while GAC says high-strength steel accounts for 71 per cent of the body structure.
The standard Aion UT hatchback recently received a five-star ANCAP safety rating under the latest 2026-2028 testing protocols, although the UT Cross has yet to be separately assessed.
The Road Ahead
The UT Cross has already been confirmed for the right-hand-drive UK market, removing one potential obstacle to its Australian introduction.
Its arrival would further bolster the ambitions of a brand that intends to become a top 10 player in Australia within years.
The GAC S7 plug-in hybrid family SUV is also expected in Australia in 2027 and GAC has talked openly of bringing a ute to Australia.
Related: GAC tests Aussie waters with S7 hybrid and Hyptec HT EV
Related: 2025 GAC M8 PHEV details and pricing
Related: China’s GAC confirms ambitious factory-backed launch and sales plan in Australia this year
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