GAC GS8

Cabin

The cabin design and layout appear to be premium. The cabin features black Nappa leather seats and a steering wheel, which are materials known for their quality and durability.

The dashboard itself centres on a 14.6-inch touchscreen that handles navigation, Apple CarPlay connectivity, and voice commands. A separate 7- or 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster sits directly in front of the driver, depending on the variant. A head-up display projects driving data onto the windscreen, which is useful for checking speed and navigation without dropping your eyes from the road.

Power comes from a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters for manual gear selection. Beneath it, the dash uses a mix of materials: brushed aluminium trim sits alongside satin finishes and faux wood accents, creating a modern cabin that doesn’t feel flimsy.

For entertainment, there is an up to 10-speaker audio system that promises excellent quality music and takes calls. A wireless charging pad sits in the centre console, making it practical for keeping devices topped up on longer drives. The ambient cyan-coloured lighting can be adjusted for evening drives. A panoramic sunroof stretches overhead, while a 360-degree camera system provides a full overhead view when parking or manoeuvring in tight spaces. 

The cabin itself comes in black, green, or a black-and-green two-tone, allowing buyers to choose an interior colour that suits their taste. Overall, this is a very well-equipped and well-laid-out setup that is not just premium but also feels quite luxurious.

Front seat and rear seat

• Ventilated front seats
• Leather seats on all trims, with a height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Rear headrests and rear AC vents
• A second and third row that fold to expand cargo space
• Seating for seven

Climate control

Automatic climate control with air quality control and rear AC vents is fitted. Rear vents matter most for the third row, where passengers can otherwise be left waiting for cold air on a long July run.

Storage

• Cup holders at the front and a bottle holder
• A centre console armrest with storage beneath
• A vanity mirror and a cargo light
• A folding rear seat and, according to GAC, flexible folding for loads

Charging

• A wireless phone charger
• USB charging and front and rear power outlets
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for phone connection

Boot space

The boot is 450 litres, which is enough for a family’s weekly shop and a couple of bags. With seven people on board, the area behind the third row will be tighter, so a trip to Hatta with a full load needs a roof box or a smaller group. Folding the second and third rows turns the GS8 into a van-like load carrier.

GAC gives the GS8 a long safety list, with a strong body structure and a full set of driver aids.

• A high-strength steel body structure
• Intelligent driving sensors that support Level 2 driver assistance
• Adaptive cruise control, a rear camera, and tyre pressure monitoring
• ABS, hill descent control, hill start assist, traction control, and vehicle stability control
• ISOFIX child seat anchors, speed-sensing door locks, and seven seat belts
• Auto hold and an electric parking brake 

Front

Like most of its offerings in the market right now, the GS8 gets quite a distinctive front design. It is actually one of its USPs, and the brand has done well. GAC calls the grille design the Dragon Scale Wing, and it spreads wide across the nose with chrome detail. Then the high-tech LED headlamp comes with a lighting system with a bold, upright design; frame it. The effect is large and blunt, and as a result, you kind of visibly know that the GS8 has more road presence than most seven-seaters at its price.

Side profile

Now, a three-row SUV means it is big in size and more visible, through the side. It is 4,980 mm long, 1,950 mm wide, and 1,780 mm tall, with a 2,920 mm wheelbase. Ground clearance is 200 mm. The roof rails, power-folding mirrors, and a panoramic roof complete the sides and top. Evidently, the body is upright and boxy, which gives the third row more headroom than a sloping roofline would.

Alloy wheels

The GS8 comes with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and 255/55 R19 tyres on the GT trim. GAC is offering a wheel size that perfectly suits the tall body design, and the sidewall leaves a useful cushion for rough surfaces. 

Rear

At the back are LED tail lamps with a ruby-diamond look, along with a rear spoiler and a rear wiper. The back is simpler than the front, with a clean bumper and a tidy tailgate.

Colours

• Green
• Silver

You can choose between two primary colours. Silver is the practical choice for UAE summers, since lighter paint shows less heat, and green is the one that stands out in a car park.

City performance

A large SUV needs help in a crowded city, and the GS8 gets it from its camera and auto hold.

• A 4,980 mm body needs care in a tight lane near Karama, and the rear camera and parking aids take the guesswork out of reversing.
• The 2.0 turbo has enough torque for a quick start from a signal on Al Khail Road, though a 2,030 kg body takes a moment to get moving.
• Auto hold and an electric parking brake make stop-start crawls on the Al Garhoud Bridge easier.
• Rear AC vents keep the third row cool during school pick-up in Sharjah in July.
• The hybrid version trims fuel use in slow traffic, which helps at a Ras Al Khor roundabout in the afternoon rush.

Highway performance

The GS8 is built for family journeys, and the 66-litre tank gives it a useful range between fills.

• Features like adaptive cruise control and Level 2 driver aids ease a long, straight run on the E11 to Abu Dhabi
• A 0-100 km/h time of about 9 seconds says the GS8 is steady, not fast, so an overtake near Hatta needs a clear road
• Four-wheel drive on the GL and GX adds traction on a dusty slip road, which helps on the road to Fujairah in wet weather
• The seat ventilation makes a long drive to Ras Al Khaimah easier for the driver and front passenger.

Ride and handling

A long wheelbase and a tall body shape the GS8’s behaviour, and the set-up points to comfort.

• A 2,920 mm wheelbase should give a settled ride on the E311, and the 255/55 R19 tyres leave a sidewall of about 140 mm for cushioning.
• The McPherson struts at the front, and a multi-link rear is the sound base for a family SUV.
• A body of 1,780 mm will lean in a quick lane change, so the stability control is more important than grip.
• Also, ventilated front discs and solid rear discs support the brakes, along with ABS and hill descent control.
• Electric power steering keeps low-speed work light, though a 4,980 mm length is a lot to place in a Sharjah car park.

You get to choose from three petrol variants that are currently on sale in the UAE, plus a hybrid version. You need to visit the dealer to know availability, features, and prices.

The base starts with a 2.0L GT. On this variant, you get front-wheel drive, with the 2.0-litre turbo, an 8-speed automatic, leather seats, a touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, and the safety equipment above.

In the middle is a 2.0L GL, and the most significant change, or rather an addition, is the four-wheel drive.

The 2.0L GX is the top petrol variant that is offered with four-wheel drive and the fullest equipment list.

Interestingly, not many brands have such an option, but GAC offers the GX AWD Hybrid. This model features a 2.0-litre engine with an electric system and all-wheel drive, targeting drivers who want lower fuel consumption.

Zigwheels recommendation

While there are four options, the easiest pick is the GL. The reason, it offers the much-needed middle path for most families, since it adds four-wheel drive to a trim that already has the main features. The hybrid suits drivers who do a lot of city commuting. The GT with front-wheel drive suits a family that wants seven seats at the lowest outlay and mostly drives on tarmac.

Here is a fact first: the seven-seat SUV segment in the UAE is getting crowded, but there’s still room for value players. In this backdrop, among several Chinese options, the GS8 tries to offer a balance. It’s cheaper than the Fortuner, Santa Fe, and Pathfinder, yet it tries to feel premium with its interior design and tech layout. 

This model makes a difference for buyers like families stretching budgets who need seven seats and those new car buyers wanting something spacious without the depreciation hit of established names.

What you get is a great cabin with the latest features, tech, and space at a compelling price. But it is a bulky SUV that could cost you more to run, and keeping that in mind is vital.

But the hybrid makes sense if you are going to use it mostly in the city and are looking for lower running costs. But if you’re genuinely torn between this and the Fortuner or Pathfinder, those are in every sense safer bets. That said, for a family which is prefer space and interior tech over durability, the GS8 deserves a serious test drive.

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