AION launches in the UK: what you need to know about the new (to the UK) brand

AION is an electric vehicle brand founded in 2017 as part of GAC Group, one of China's largest and most established car manufacturers. It sits in what the brand calls the "upper-mainstream" segment, think practical, well-equipped family cars rather than budget runabouts or prestige showpieces.

The AION V is a fully electric family SUV, roughly in the same territory as a Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6 in terms of size and positioning, and priced from £36,450 on the road.

The headline figures are genuinely impressive for the money.

• The 75.3kWh battery delivers a claimed 317 miles of range, which AION says is class-leading for a car with a standard-fit battery at this price point.
• Charging speed is equally strong, with a 30–80% charge time of around 18 minutes at a compatible ultra-rapid charger.
• A heat pump is fitted as standard to help maintain range in cold weather.
• Inside, the spec list reads more like a premium car than a mid-range one. Standard equipment includes a 14.6-inch touchscreen, full-length panoramic roof, double-glazed front windows, electrically-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, heated reclining rear seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting and a nine-speaker audio system. Boot space is 472 litres with the rear seats up.
• A Premium Pack adds leather seating, massage front seats, a cooled/heated storage box and a rear seat tray table for £1,495.

The most interesting part of the AION proposition isn't the car itself. It's the ownership package wrapped around it.

Every AION V comes with what the brand calls the Great 8 Promise, which includes:

• eight years of warranty cover,
• eight years of servicing,
• eight years of roadside assistance
• and an MOT covered until the car is eight years old.

All of it included as standard, regardless of whether you buy, lease or take the car on a fleet agreement. The package is locked to the vehicle's VIN and transfers to subsequent owners, so it retains its value through the car's life.

The warranty itself is notably thorough: eight years or 100,000 miles on the vehicle, eight years or 125,000 miles on the battery (with a 70% state of health threshold), and eight years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain. AION has also been transparent about what is and isn't covered. Items like brake pads, wiper blades and tyres have shorter coverage periods, which is standard practice but not always clearly stated by other manufacturers.

AION estimates the package saves owners around £2,900 over eight years compared to paying for servicing, MOTs and breakdown cover separately. For anyone nervous about buying from a new brand, it's a well-designed answer to the obvious question.

It's too early to give a full verdict. We haven't driven it yet and real-world ownership data doesn't exist for a car that's just launched. But on paper, the AION V makes a credible case. The range and charging figures are competitive, the spec is generous, and the Great 8 Promise directly addresses the trust concerns that have held some buyers back from Chinese brands.

The comparison that comes to mind is the early days of Hyundai and Kia in the UK, brands that arrived with long warranties, competitive pricing and sceptical press coverage, and then quietly became some of the most trusted names on the road. AION is making a similar play.

We'll be watching closely as real-world reviews come in. In the meantime, if you're in the market for a family electric SUV and £36,450 is your budget, the AION V deserves a place on your shortlist.