GAC M8 Luxury review: too much is never enough

For fans of large, ornate people movers, the recent unrelenting wave of new Chinese brands has brought with it an added bonus; more large and ornate people movers!

What was once a somewhat predictable landscape where established manufacturers occasionally brought in their most conservative models, leaving the wildly ornate stuff to the used import market, is now being shaken up by this new wave of luxurious, technologically advanced, most importantly, wildly ornate models from China.

And the latest of those to arrive on our shores is the GAC M8, a plug-in hybrid MPV that aims to blend palatial comfort with distinctive, head-turning style.

Sold as the Trumpchi E9 in its home market, the M8 PHEV combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo engine with a 25.5kWh battery, a single electric motor and a 2-speed DHT to pump a combined total of 274kW and 630Nm through the front wheels.

On the outside: what are the GAC M8 Luxury's main design features?

The GAC M8 follows the modern Chinese people-mover design philosophy, which is remarkably similar to popular Japanese imports like the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire/Lexus LM and Nissan Elgrand, and turns everything up to eleven.

Its basic shape is the classic, function-driven "big box," but the execution is anything but plain. Specifically the enormous chrome grille that is a vast, imposing feature that dominates the front end. Flanking this are elaborate headlights that perform intricate light shows and dances, giving the M8 a distinctive and individual character.

While the overall shape is somewhat generic for an MPV, the details make it stand out. It's an interesting mix of being both over-the-top and exactly what you'd expect from a vehicle in this class. It’s showy and elaborate, riding on 18-inch alloy wheels, and it possesses a presence that is hard to ignore. It is, in a word, ornate.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the GAC M8 Luxury's cabin like?

If the exterior is ornate, the interior is where the M8 truly differentiates itself, ascending to a level of frankly garish opulence that is both startling and strangely appealing. Our test vehicle was a festival of dark red leather, red suede, and countless gold highlights, a design choice that could be described as tacky, but is executed with such commitment that it works, nicely matching the M8's flamboyant character.

The cabin is a triumph of comfort and quality, especially impressive for its price point.

The quality is impressively high, with seats that are a comfortable mix of nice leather and suede, and a sense of solid construction throughout. The cabin is, of course, incredibly spacious, with huge windows and a large sunroof that is integrated with the ambient LED lighting, enhancing the palatial feel.

The second-row captain's chairs are comfortable, though perhaps not as generously padded as some might prefer, featuring touchscreen controls for adjustments. The third-row seats are a little thinly padded but perfectly functional, and with them folded down, the boot is absolutely enormous.

The central infotainment screen is responsive, but its menu system is convoluted and takes a significant amount of time to get used to, while the large ceiling-mounted fold-down TV screen wasn't fully functional on our pre-production model, however GAC NZ assured us customer vehicles would be fully functional.

Despite these minor quirks, the cabin is a triumph of comfort and quality, especially impressive for its price point.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the GAC M8 Luxury like to drive?

The M8 delivers a driving experience that is also deeply impressive. As a large people-mover, its primary mission is comfort, and it excels with a superb ride quality, at least from the front seats.

The GAC M8 is a genuinely impressive vehicle that leaves a strong positive impression. It does almost everything it sets out to do incredibly well.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain is a standout feature, offering a significant all-electric range, (GAC claims 125km on a full charge, real world is closer to 110km), making it feel very much like an EV in daily use. When the petrol engine does kick in, it’s so quiet and refined that you barely notice it, even under full throttle. For a vehicle of its size, it’s surprisingly quick and powerful, sprinting to 100km/h in claimed 8.8 seconds, although in reality it feels faster because it's so big.

Handling is precisely what you’d want from an enormous, front-wheel-drive people-mover; competent and predictable. It's not a sports car by any means, but it never feels unwieldy and the steering is well-weighted and accurate, providing a sense of confidence on the road.

While its large size and distinctive styling might not be for everyone, for those who need a true 7-seat vehicle, the M8 offers a compelling blend of luxury, technology, and, well, distinctive style.

A genuine surprise was the maturity and subtlety of the driver assistance systems. Features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring are gentle and not overly insistent. Crucially, they are highly configurable and retain your preferred settings between drives, a welcome departure from many modern systems. The only minor annoyance is the lane-keep warning, which can be sensitive due to the vehicle's width, but this too can be adjusted to your liking.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the GAC M8 Luxury's warranty and servicing situation?

GAC Motor New Zealand offers an 8-year/150,000km vehicle warranty on the M8, with an 8-year/200,000km warranty on the battery, along with with 5 years of roadside assistance. Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the GAC M8 Luxury?

The GAC M8 is a genuinely impressive vehicle that leaves a strong positive impression. It does almost everything it sets out to do incredibly well. It’s big, immensely comfortable, quiet, and refined.

If you're in the market for a large people-mover and you're not afraid of a bit of flamboyance, the GAC M8 is a truly impressive option.

Its somewhat cheesy, ornate character is a refreshing quality in a segment that can often take itself too seriously, and everything from the brilliantly powerful Yamaha audio system to the high-quality interior materials make the M8 feel like a genuine luxury vehicle where all the components work in harmony.

There are minor issues, such as the confusing infotainment menus and the love of fingerprints on the shiny gold trim, but these are small blemishes on an otherwise excellent package.

While its large size and distinctive styling might not be for everyone, for those who need a true 7-seat vehicle, the M8 offers a compelling blend of luxury, technology, and, well, distinctive style. If you're in the market for a large people-mover and you're not afraid of a bit of flamboyance, the GAC M8 is a truly impressive option.

GAC M8 Luxury FAQs

What kind of car is the GAC M8 Luxury?

A large seven-seat luxury people mover

Does the GAC M8 Luxury have hybrid or EV technology?

Yes, the M8 is a plug-in hybrid.

What’s the fuel economy of the GAC M8 Luxury?

The M8 will return between 1.3L/100km (full charge) and 6.4L/100km (partial charge).

Is the GAC M8 Luxury safe?

The M8 has not been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP yet, however it holds a 5 Star VSRR rating on Rightcar. It features 7 airbags throughout its cabin.

What safety and assistance features does the GAC M8 Luxury have?

What are the GAC M8 Luxury's main rivals?

• Denza D9 FWD ($104,990): A fully electric, even more luxurious and less blingy alternative.
• Kia Carnival Water Hybrid ($81,990): Cheaper and from an established brand, but slower and less spec.
• Zeekr 009 7 Seater ($157,990): Considerably more powerful and faster, but also considerably pricier.
• Xpeng X9 ($TBA): Angular, space-age looks, still technically 'coming soon'
• BYD Seal 8 Premium ($92,990): Superb quality and refinement, AWD model not much more than FWD M8.