GAC AION S MAX

Model Overview

The GAC AION S MAX is a C-segment fully electric sedan introduced in October 2023 by AION, the new energy marque under GAC Group, serving as an upmarket evolution of the AION S series. Conceived as a comprehensive upgrade over the AION S Plus, the new model refines and enhances four key aspects: design, driving range, ride comfort, and intelligent connectivity.

Since its debut in 2019, the AION S has built a vast customer base across both the private consumer and e-hailing segments thanks to its generous cabin space and strong value-for-money, amassing over 400,000 cumulative owners by October 2023. Positioned further upmarket, the AION S MAX directly targets mainstream family buyers under the banner of the "ultimate pure-electric family sedan", officially marketed as an "intelligent lifestyle suite on wheels" and a "stress-free family road-tripper". The introduction of this model was aimed at bolstering the AION S lineup's competitiveness in the A-segment electric sedan category, catering to the growing demands of modern young families for smart technology and premium comfort.

In July 2024, AION expanded the lineup with the AION S MAX 70 Xingyi Edition, bringing the entry price down to RM129,900. Subsequently, the 2025 AION S MAX 70 Xingyi Edition was offered in selected markets with a recommended retail price of RM118,800. By 2026, the entire AION S MAX lineup was phased out across selected dealer networks, making way for the next-generation AION RT.

Design Language

Visually, the AION S MAX embraces a fresh design identity. Up front, it sports a fully enclosed front grille flanked by split LED headlight clusters—dubbed the "Bright Galaxy Headlights"—featuring four distinct light strips radiating outwards from the centre emblem. The overall fascia shares cues with the AION V Plus, delivering a sleek, sophisticated, and tech-forward aesthetic. Along the sides, segmented character lines pair with flush pop-out door handles and multi-spoke blade-style alloy wheels to keep aerodynamic drag to a minimum. The rear is defined by full-width LED taillights with diamond-cut detailing, accented by central AION script.

Dimension-wise, the AION S MAX measures 4,863 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,515 mm tall, with a 2,760 mm wheelbase. Compared to the AION S Plus, it is 53 mm longer with a 10 mm longer wheelbase—class-leading figures within the A-segment sedan class. Six exterior paint finishes are on offer: Brahma Star Blue, Biyun Green, Night Shadow Black, Holographic Silver, Polar White, and Rapid Silver, with Brahma Star Blue and Biyun Green introduced as all-new shades.

Inside, the cabin features a yacht-inspired layout. Physical buttons on the centre console have been largely done away with, replaced by a steering column-mounted electronic gear selector (stalk shifter) to free up a cleaner, uncluttered centre console bridge. The interior is finished in what the brand calls a "Max-grade 90% soft-wrapped luxury cabin", with extensive soft-touch upholstery that delivers a tangible step up in perceived quality over the AION S Plus. A T-shaped dashboard trimmed in fine white oak woodgrain veneer further elevates the cabin's upscale, welcoming ambience. Two interior colourways are available: Bright Moon White and Starry Night Black.

Powertrain and Performance

The AION S MAX range is powered by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor across all variants, paired as standard with GAC's proprietary Magazine Battery safety technology. The powertrain comes in two distinct output levels depending on the variant:

• Standard Version (70 Series): The motor produces a maximum power output of 150 kW (approx. 204 PS) and 235 N·m of peak torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 160 km/h. Some early data listed peak torque at 225 N·m.

• Top-spec Version (80 Xinghan Edition): The motor delivers a maximum power output of 180 kW (approx. 245 PS) and 309 N·m of peak torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 163 km/h. The 80 Xinghan Edition is the sole variant in the range equipped with the higher-output 180 kW motor.

• Entry-level Version (70 Xingyi Edition): Introduced to lower the barrier to entry, it is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 100 kW and 225 N·m, achieving 0-100 km/h in 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 130 km/h.

In terms of driving range, different trim levels are equipped with battery packs of varying capacities:

On a DC fast charger, a 30% to 80% state-of-charge replenishment takes approximately 30 minutes, while AC slow charging requires around 9.5 hours. Rated energy consumption is approximately 12.3 kWh/100 km. In addition, the entire range comes standard with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse power supply capabilities, supplying 220V power to run external appliances during outdoor camping and road trips.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the AION S MAX adopts a front-wheel-drive (FWD) architecture, featuring MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a torsion beam non-independent setup at the rear. This rear suspension configuration is relatively basic for a vehicle in the RM200,000 price bracket, drawing observations from motoring media regarding hardware parity against multi-link-equipped rivals in the same class.

Braking duties are handled by ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, accompanied by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold across the board. Wheel fitment ranges from 17-inch alloys on base models to 18-inch alloys wrapped in 235/45 R18 tyres on higher-spec variants.

Driving modes include Eco, Normal, and Sport as standard, allowing drivers to tailor vehicle response to road conditions and personal driving styles. In everyday driving, the linear, refined power delivery remains a hallmark strength of the EV powertrain, though real-world range drop in cold conditions remains a key talking point among owners.

Cabin and Features

In-cabin intelligence is a focal point of the upgrades on the AION S MAX. The cockpit centres around a dual-screen digital layout comprising a 14.6-inch floating infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster. The central display measures just 13 mm thin with ultra-slim 6.5 mm bezels, delivering an edge-to-edge aesthetic. Running on the ADiGO 4.5 ecosystem, the infotainment setup is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 octa-core processor (delivering 56 Kdmips of computing performance) and supports instant boot-up on entry for a smartphone-smooth response. Key connectivity features include GPS navigation, roadside assistance, Bluetooth connectivity, telematics, and OTA software updates, alongside an intelligent voice assistant triggered by the "Hello Baby" wake-up prompt to control climate, media, power windows, and more.

Audio is catered for by an 11-speaker, 3-way Premium HIFI sound system on mid-to-high variants, while base variants make do with a 9-speaker setup. Creature comforts on higher trims include heated and ventilated front seats, driver memory settings, dual wireless smartphone charging pads, a 32-colour ambient lighting system with music sync, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A fixed panoramic glass roof comes standard across the entire range.

For seating practicality, the AION S MAX features 180° fully flat-folding front seats that align flush with the rear seat cushions, turning the cabin into a versatile rest lounge for long-distance journeys. Rear passengers benefit from a class-leading 965 mm of legroom. The boot offers a standard cargo volume of 453 litres.

Safety and Driver Assistance

For active driving aids, the AION S MAX is equipped with the ADiGO PILOT Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), standard on flagship trims and available as an option on lower tiers. Key ADAS features include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, headway distance monitoring, and active collision avoidance assist. Building upon Level 2 functionality, AION upgraded the AI vision perception suite, boosting pedestrian and cyclist detection rates by 96% and lane detection under rain and backlit scenarios by 93%. Higher variants further gain remote smart parking, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and reverse parking sensors for stress-free manoeuvring.

Standard active safety kit includes ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). On the passive safety front, entry variants are equipped with 4 airbags, while higher-spec grades provide full side curtain airbag coverage.

Battery integrity is anchored by GAC's Magazine Battery safety system across the range. Having passed stringent nail penetration tests without catching fire, the Magazine Battery was also subjected to ballistic penetration testing without fire or explosion, confirming high thermal stability; the battery pack is backed by a lifetime warranty for the original retail owner.

Market Performance and Appraisal

Since its market introduction, the AION S MAX has experienced notable sales volatility. At its launch in October 2023, the combined AION S family (comprising the AION S, S Plus, and S MAX) recorded robust monthly volumes of around 20,000 units, establishing itself as a front-runner in the A-segment EV sedan space. However, sales momentum subsequently tapered off. According to vehicle insurance registration data, only 517 units of the AION S MAX were registered from January to September 2025, representing a sharp 92% year-on-year drop. By 2026, the AION S MAX lineup was gradually discontinued across selected dealer networks, with the new-generation AION RT taking over its market segment.

The decline in market traction is attributable to several headwinds: GAC AION faced broader brand-level pressure with five consecutive months of sales drops in 2025, logging just 25,602 brand-wide registrations in September 2025 (-22.7% YoY); the torsion beam rear suspension left the car at a specification disadvantage against similarly priced competitors equipped with multi-link independent rear setups; and the pricing band of RM149,900 to RM202,900 felt the brunt of aggressive price cuts across the wider NEV segment, whilst AION's heavy commercial e-hailing association continued to cap its brand premium appeal among private family buyers.

Owner feedback highlights strong praise for the car's high value proposition, futuristic tech cabin, sleek exterior styling, clean interior finish, and effortless electric acceleration. Conversely, owners noted that cold-weather range degradation remains prominent, with LFP battery variants showing reduced real-world efficiency in low ambient temperatures. Between 2025 and 2026, automotive consumer complaint portals logged scattered reports regarding high-voltage battery faults, sudden discharge issues, and cabin odour concerns.

In summary, as the flagship iteration of the AION S family, the AION S MAX delivered genuine advancements in exterior styling, digital cockpit refinement, and seating comfort over its predecessors, backed by a competitive 510 km to 610 km range and standard Magazine Battery safety tech. Nevertheless, brand-level market shifts, intensified segment rivalry, and positioning challenges ultimately curtailed its commercial run. For family-oriented buyers seeking a tech-rich cabin and capable range, the AION S MAX stands out as a distinctive electric sedan, though prospective buyers in the pre-owned and remaining stock market should verify local after-sales network support and parts availability.