First Drive: GAC EMKOO

First Drive: GAC EMKOO

GAC, not to be confused with JAC, is another brand that has worked its way out of China and into SA, offering customers another futuristic and promising angle to Chinese vehicles. I was excited to see what GAC's new EMKOO has to offer. Its first model, the EMZOOM, appeared to improve on what makes Chinese offerings popular while maintaining affordability and a technologically advanced approach, but it still proved to be thirsty. The EMKOO is the mid-size SUV offering in the GAC line-up, and as far as Chinese cars are concerned, this is one of the better vehicles that we have put to the test. 

The EMKOO lives with the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the EMZOOM and sits on a slightly heavier body. A 7-speed DCT is in charge of handling its robust 130kW and 270Nm output. Off the line, this setup offers a touch of excitement and enough shunt to breeze past trucks and other road users. The gearbox is smooth, but it does take a second or two to figure out how to downshift under harsh rolling acceleration. The throttle, however, is a bit overexcited, and even in Comfort, it wants to give you all of its boost at 40% throttle.

One of the most concerning topics of conversation around Chinese cars is their fuel consumption. GAC has a sizable and diverse R&D department, which I assume is responsible for the impressive consumption that the EMKOO delivers. GAC claims that its EMKOO will achieve 6.4 l/100 km, which is impressive even for established German and Japanese manufacturers that sell SUVs in this market segment. And in practice at altitude, we were averaging around 7.5l/100km. There isn’t a Chinese mid-size SUV that can compete with that right now. 

It looks dynamic and striking, with its more squared lines and persona. The front end demands attention, while the back end draws focus to the rather large rear wing. Now, the EMKOO is no sports car, but the design language that works its way through the car adds an element of dynamism. Its 19-inch wheels help create this sense of flare, and the flush door handles add a further sense of refinement.

The ride quality too is impressive. On the open road, it is smooth and comfortable, but on rough road surfaces, it does reveal a sense of rigidity, which helps in the corners but can get shaky on the road less travelled. Furthermore, the steering feel is heavy, which is a feature I enjoy but may not appeal to other drivers. Fortunately, this can be adjusted via the infotainment screen.

The EMKOO, like any Chinese car, comes with a diverse range of technology, while the cabin environment is unique and takes a different and more original approach to design execution. There is a clear aeronautical inspiration in the EMKOO, which is replicated through the dash's cylindrical air vents, rounded door handles, and intricate design touches. 

The 10.1-inch infotainment screen is of course the centre of attention, and it is here where the R&D department's touch comes to light again. The screen is straightforward to use, with volume and fan speed sliders on either side that are always accessible. The system itself is simple to use, and all of your critical buttons, such as driving modes, are available from the home screen. 

The cabin is unique and far from boring; the build quality is good, and the choice of materials and textures further diversify the cabin's environment. The seats are leather and offer a heated and cooling function, while the driver's seat position is a little high for my liking. The rear passenger legroom is good, and the flat floor amplifies the rear passenger experience, creating a less confined passenger environment.

It's safe too, with a wide variety of safety and driving features such as lane change assist, blind spot detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, door opening warning, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking. In addition, six airbags are standard on the base model variant.

So how much will this car set you back? Well, the EMKOO starts at R599,900 with the Executive model and tops off with its second and top-spec option being the Executive Plus at R659,900. For added peace of mind, it also comes with a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 5-year/100,000km service plan.

The Executive Plus option adds bigger tyres to the equation along with a self-parking function, an intelligent headlight control system, an electric tailgate, heated and cooled front seats, ambient lighting, a 10.25-inch digital information cluster, a headlight show feature, and a heads-up display. 

From a competitor's perspective, the EMKOO faces competition from the larger Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and the Kia Sportage. Being a Chinese product, the established competitors like the Kia Sportage would cost a fair bit more, with the Sportage starting at R662,995 and R823,995 for the equivalently specced trim level. The Cherry Tiggo 7 Pro is more aggressively priced than the EMKOO and starts at R442,900, while its top-spec equivalent comes in at R609,900 and offers the added benefit of all-wheel-drive.

While the Tiggo 7 is less expensive, the EMKOO provides a higher quality feel and a product that appears to have been more carefully considered. It kills it in fuel consumption too. 

With so many Chinese products arriving and changing every week, it appears that GAC may be on to something. The vehicle's technology is impressive, and the build quality and driving experience suggest a mild German influence. The EMKOO is generally a well-thought-out vehicle, and it's clear that R&D is a priority for the brand. Is it a perfect car? No. Is there a need for further refinement? Yes. But is GAC heading in the right direction, especially for a Chinese manufacturer? Indeed, they are, and as far as Chinese manufacturers go, GAC is definitely a brand to consider.

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