The GAC Motors marque is just one of the 13 Chinese vehicle brands currently available in South Africa, including well-known brands such as Chery and Haval and locally emerging brands such as Foton, BYD, JAC Motors, and BAIC. Chinese manufacturers are reshaping SA's automotive industry by offering customers more choices. And the best part? These marques often come with more competitive prices compared to established European, Japanese, and Korean offerings.
Chinese carmakers have strategically positioned themselves by focusing on affordability, advanced technology, and appealing designs. As it stands right now, they account for approximately 9% of all passenger and light commercial vehicle sales in SA, a significant increase from just 2% in 2019. The growth can be attributed to their competitive pricing, advanced features, and improved quality over the years. This progress had to start somewhere. Remember the Chery QQ? It attracted a lot of criticism for its poor interior quality, inadequate safety features, and reliability problems.
Flash forward to the GAC Emkoo: It’s the latest entrant in the compact crossover SUV segment that is making waves in the market. It’s not just competing with well-known models like the Haval Jolion and the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro but also holding its own against popular Korean and Japanese contenders such as the Kia Sportage and the Toyota Corolla Cross.
Despite its quirky name, the Emkoo is undeniably a striking vehicle. Its futuristic design is a breath of fresh air, though it may not appeal to everyone. The bold styling is both refreshing and original, setting it apart in a crowded market. However, the rear design could use some refinement. The imitation exhaust outlets on the bumper seem out of place, and integrating real exhaust pipes would have been a more authentic and functional choice. Additionally, the absence of a rear wiper presents a practical challenge, particularly on rainy days.
Moving inside, the Emkoo GAC's modern and well-appointed interior stands out. It presents itself to the driver via a large and crisp 10.1-inch infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, four USB ports (three up front and a single slot at the back), an electrically operated driver’s seat, and a DTS sound system. A large glass panoramic roof further enhances the interior, and as the flagship model, it comes with a clear heads-up display and heated and cooled front seats.
While the build quality is commendable and comparable to other Chinese vehicles, it isn't perfect. For starters, the infotainment system, though visually appealing, tends to switch off unexpectedly when the wireless Apple CarPlay is connected and running, only to restart on its own. Additionally, the wireless charging pad is positioned in direct sunlight, leaving smartphones to overheat during charging.
Moreover, the interior design could benefit from physical toggles and switches for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Currently, these controls are embedded within the infotainment screen, which can be cumbersome to operate while driving, especially when the system decides to reboot. Additionally, the placement of the hazard warning light button uncomfortably close to the push-button start proved to be a minor inconvenience.
Overall space inside is impressive, and this is further complemented by several storage pockets for water bottles as well as a generous boot space that measures 420 litres, which is slightly less than what’s offered by the Ford Territory at 425 litres and the Toyota Corolla Cross at 440 litres. You could probably fit a small circus in there, minus the elephants, of course, and despite this marginal difference, we were able to fit in a pram and several sizeable bags with ease.
The Emkoo is a commendable vehicle, without a doubt, though it could benefit from some refinements in its powertrain and drivetrain. The 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine, boasting 130kW and 270Nm, provides ample power for daily driving, positioning it competitively with other cars in the compact crossover SUV segment. But it's the turbolag when accelerating from a standstill that detracts from the refinement. Also, while the 7-speed DCT performs well on the open road, it's jerky at slow speeds, and interestingly, the same powertrain setup in the Emzoom does not exhibit these issues. Could the 170kg weight difference be the cause? Unlikely, but for now it's a bit of a head-scratcher.
The steering wheel input feels notably light, creating a sense of disconnect from the front wheels, affecting the overall driving experience regarding feedback and precision. However, in its defence, it excels in ride quality, prioritising passenger comfort with its soft suspension that effortlessly absorbs road defects. Even on rough, pockmarked streets, it maintains a smooth ride, while its noise, vibration, and harshness insulation ensures a quiet cabin, effectively minimising exterior noise.
Living with the Emkoo has been a pleasant experience, with an average fuel consumption of 8.3l/100km. Impressively, this figure drops below 6l/100km at highway cruising speeds, a notable achievement given the fuel economy issues we’ve encountered with other Chinese vehicles.
Overall, the Emkoo stands out in its segment, offering excellent value at R659,900, and while it is priced slightly higher than competitors like the Corolla Cross and Tiggo 7 Pro Max, its comprehensive features justify the cost. With exceptional charisma, a generous amount of tech, ample boot space, and a comfortable ride, its minor shortcomings can be viewed in a more forgiving light, making it a strong contender in the market. Big tick.
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