With the further improvement of charging facilities, choosing a pure electric car as a daily commuting vehicle has become the mainstream for many urban consumers. The current high oil prices and less than ideal economic environment make pure electric cars more advantageous for consumers who use their cars frequently. In the current market for pure electric sedans priced at around 150,000 RMB, the GAC AION S can be considered a seasoned veteran. Since its launch in April 2019, it has accumulated enough experience and user reputation in the new energy market.
The current year’s redesigned model has also been launched, and the 2024 AION S model has been renamed the “MAX” version, distinguishing it from the previous PLUS version. The new car has a total of 5 models, with an official guide price of 149,900 yuan (21090$) to 202,900 yuan (28550$). From the price, it can be seen that the car is targeting the 150,000-200,000 yuan (28140$) pure electric sedan market, but in the face of the endless competition, does the long-lasting AION S MAX still have the strength to compete? How powerful is the 2024 AION S MAX? First of all, in terms of design, the 2024 AION S MAX adopts the commonly used closed grille design for new energy vehicles, with separate LED headlights that are very slender, and the daytime running lights are distributed in two layers. The lower front bumper has a through design, with a smoky black treatment inside. The entire front face still has a very rounded and full style, visually appearing younger and more fashionable than the old model.
From the side, the AION S MAX features a segmented waistline and hidden door handles, with multi-spoke blade-shaped wheels that highlight the vehicle’s sporty feel. At the rear, the car adopts the popular through-style taillight design, further enhancing the visual width of the vehicle. The entire rear end is distinct and the lower bumper is wrapped in black, giving it good recognition.
In terms of interior design, the 2024 AION S MAX has made significant progress compared to the old model. The 10.25-inch full LCD instrument panel and 14.6-inch central control screen are the visual focus of the entire interior, creating a good technological atmosphere for the cabin. The interior materials of the entire vehicle are commendable, with a good sense of luxury. At the same time, two wireless charging devices are provided below the central control screen, improving the convenience of daily use. The new car’s shift mechanism also follows the current design trend, adopting a knob-style design, further expanding the space below the central control screen.
The 2024 AION S MAX is equipped with the ADiGO in-car intelligent system, which includes Bluetooth car phone, car networking, OTA upgrade, facial recognition, voice recognition control system, gesture control, and other functions. In addition, the new car also supports 32-color car interior ambient lighting, HMI interactive system, in-car fragrance device, in-car PM2.5 filtration device, enhancing the sense of technology in the car and bringing convenient operation experience to the driver.
The 2024 AION S MAX has a length, width, and height of 4863/1890/1515mm, with a wheelbase of 2760mm. The spacious interior features mixed leather seats and soft, full padding. The front seats can be laid flat for reclining, while the rear seats support a 40:60 fold-down ratio, providing flexibility and a panoramic sunroof for a clear view. In terms of power, the 2024 AION S MAX offers two options: a single-motor model with a maximum output power of 150 kW, and a single-motor model with a maximum output power of 180 kW. It also features magazine battery technology, providing a pure electric range of 510 km and 610 km under CLTC conditions. The chassis is equipped with front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, meeting the performance needs of daily driving. In terms of hardware configuration, the 2024 AION S MAX 80 Star Edition is equipped with the ADiGO PILOT assisted driving system, featuring rear parking radar reminder, reverse image, 360° panoramic image, cruise control, transparent image, and uphill assistance. These functions play a good role in actual driving and are user-friendly for new drivers, effectively avoiding some unnoticed dangers. A competitive analysis and configuration recommendations for the GAC AION S.
The 2024 AION S MAX faces competition from models such as the BYD Qin PLUS, Lixiang C01, BluePark SL03, and NIO ES6 in terms of positioning and price. Despite being an older model, the updated 2024 AION S MAX remains competitive and up-to-date with many improvements that meet current demands. The changes in the product are very intuitive.
As a new energy product, the 2024 AION S MAX has been refined for over 4 years. It can adjust according to user feedback to improve product performance and address defects, making it more reliable for consumers. In some areas, the Guangzhou AION S is mainly used for ride-hailing, and the vehicle’s image may influence consumer choices. However, since the quality can meet the high-frequency demand of ride-hailing, it is more than sufficient for regular household use.
For consumers, the 2024 AION S MAX, priced at 155,900 yuan (21930$), is worth choosing. With a range of 510 kilometers, it can meet the daily commuting needs, and one charge per week can achieve low-cost travel. In addition, its configuration is sufficient and cost-effective, making it the most cost-effective choice among many versions. Big shot’s summary The AION S from GAC Aion entered the market relatively early, and with years of accumulated reputation and continuous product iteration, it will indeed be easier for consumers to accept. As a compact car, the spacious and comfortable interior space, excellent power performance, and rich hardware configuration are sufficient for daily commuting and nearby trips. Overall, the AION S MAX can be considered a product suitable for family users to consider.