Practical family movers often lean towards being desperately unexciting, but the Aion Y Plus is charming in its own unique way.
Yes, it’s square, and it’s not the most striking thing to look at. But, spend some time with the Aion Y Plus, and I’m conrfident your opinion of it will change, because it delivers a lot for your dime.
It’s built with a purpose, and it’s brilliant at it
With design cues inspired by everything from high-end audio speakers to trendy home appliances, it’s clear the designers at GAC designed the Y Plus to be functional-first.
Its boxy silhouette might not turn heads, but those clean lines and bold colour choices lend it an aesthetic appeal. Simple, practical, and chic.
Slip inside, and the sense of playful practicality continues. The interior is refreshingly minimalist, but not so sparse that you feel you’ve wandered into an empty loft.
Dominating the cabin is a crisp 14.6-inch touchscreen, complemented by an intuitive user interface and vivid graphics that would feel right at home in a flagship smartphone.
While the digital interfaces are polished, some may find the abundance of soft-touch haptic buttons and menus mildly irritating.
Practicality is the name of the game here; this is a car clearly designed by people who appreciate life’s little conveniences. The flat floor and clever use of space mean your family (or your friends, pets, and their assorted gear) will travel in comfort.
Even the tallest of your passengers will appreciate the generous headroom, thanks to the boxy design and clever packaging.
Boot space stands at an impressive 453 litres, expandable up to 1,563 litres with the rear seats folded flat. I challenge you to find another car with the same amount of space on the market today.
Gentle on the roads
With a single electric motor powering the front wheels, it produces a modest but sufficient 134bhp and 225Nm of torque. It’s certainly not going to challenge other EVs in terms of neck-snapping acceleration, but neither will it leave you feeling short-changed when overtaking slower traffic.
The century sprint is dispatched in a leisurely but entirely respectable 7.9 seconds. Quick enough to keep most drivers smiling, but restrained enough to avoid unsettling grandma in the back.
However, what’s more impressive is how the Y Plus handles itself around corners and uneven surfaces. Unlike some electric cars that feel lumbering and unwieldy, the Y Plus is refreshingly light-footed.
There’s minimal body roll, and the steering, though lacking in feedback, is well-weighted. I found myself genuinely enjoying the drive through a series of twisty backroads, a feat I seldom experience in practical EVs built primarily to ferry children, groceries, and occasionally disgruntled in-laws.
Perhaps the Y Plus’s strongest suit is its practicality in everyday Singaporean driving conditions. Its claimed range of around 430km translates realistically to about 390km in the real world, more than sufficient for multiple days of urban commuting between charges.
And when you do finally plug it in, its DC fast-charging capability ensures you won’t be spending your evenings lingering around charging stations, checking your watch impatiently.
Earnestly impressive
The Aion Y Plus is genuinely engaging. It’s as though GAC engineers understood that families don’t just want another soulless appliance, but rather a car they can connect with emotionally.
Then there’s the matter of price. With the Premium variant priced competitively at S$159,988 (including COE), the Aion Y Plus delivers tremendous value. It’s a solid alternative to competing electric SUVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric or BYD Atto 3.
As the automotive world continues its steady march into electrification, the Y Plus reminds us that EV ownership can still be characterful, practical, and fun.
Technical Specifications
Aion Y Plus Premium
Engine: Single Electric Motor
Power: 100 kW (134 bhp)
Torque: 225 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 9.8 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 150 km/h
Battery Capacity: 63.2 kWh
Drive Range: 430 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 6 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$159,988 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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