While luxurious “mini vans” are quite the niche segment here in Australia, new entrant GAC isn’t afraid to launch with a vehicle that truly stands out. Dubbed the M8 PHEV, it’s officially the only plug-in hybrid people mover on sale in Australia.
Boasting unmissable styling and what’s billed as a “first-class cabin”, pricing starts at $76,590 before on-road costs for the Premium model. At launch, we were able to sample the higher-spec’d Luxury version, which charges $83,590.
Even at that price, it’s still merely half the cost of a base Lexus LM 350h. In terms of more mainstream rivals in this small segment, the top-spec Kia Carnival GT-Line HEV asks $40 more than the base M8 Premium.
The Ford Tourneo Titanium X undercuts it by $5600 and the Hyundai Staria Highlander by almost $12k. It’s also worth considering many reasonably new JDM imports of the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire also make their way over here.
Safe to say it’s a very varied little segment of the market, but one GAC has been smart by targeting the pricing mid-point of. They also hold the title of luxury MPV sales leader in China, a position it’s managed to keep for 39 consecutive months.
The brand hopes this can be a genuine disruptor for both businesses and private buyers alike. It’s funny mentioning all those Toyota group products too, as the M8 and its unmissable grille does evoke somewhat of a visual reference to them.
Considering GAC has a joint-venture with Toyota in China, that may be no surprise. As for the slightly BMW-ish name, we shan’t delve too deep into that here. Interestingly, the M8, like the recently launched EMZOOM is sold under the Trumpchi sub-brand in China.
It’s a smart move to unify everything under the GAC name here instead, particularly given the confusion multiple sub-brands have already created for other Chinese car makers. Visually, the M8 has quite the striking presence.
There’s an undeniably premium vibe to it, with a nice angled body line down the side and even floating centre caps like you’d see on a Rolls-Royce. It’s the interior you’ll want to buy one of these for, though, as it is luxe to the max.
With almost every surface trimmed in stunning half-aniline leather, the interior treatment is seriously premium in Luxury spec. Up front, you’ll find power adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch driver’s display.
A (slightly undersized) 10.1-inch infotainment display with wireless smartphone mirroring, eight-speaker Yamaha audio system, and even tri-zone climate control with a fragrance dispenser all feature.
But it’s in the second row that things take a step up to First Class. Boasting two sumptuous captain’s chairs with LCD touchscreen control panels, they recline to 58-degrees with inbuilt leg rests, have heating, ventilation and massage functions, and even boast tray tables.
You can use those for your ‘in-flight’ meal or doing some work on your laptop or tablet. There’s no denying that on a short stint riding in these seats on the way to our launch drive’s start point, they are incredibly comfortable.
This is something only amplified by the cabin’s quietness, achieved through the fitment of 108 sound deadening panels, acoustic glass, and noise cancellation technology. Where there’s a catch is the three-wide third row.
Although it’s perfectly comfortable and well positioned to allow excellent legroom with enough luggage space behind, accessing it is an issue as the captain’s chairs are unable to be fully folded away.
This means you’re left squeezing between the two to get back there. That’s fine for kids, but not so much for adults. The cabin is otherwise well thought out, with 15 hooks, 15 storage boxes, and 14 cup holders littered throughout.
Boot space comes in at 280-litres with the third row in place, expanding to a maximum 1500-litres. Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which is paired to an integrated dual-motor two-speed ‘Dedicated Hybrid Transmission’.
The system delivers 274kW power and 630Nm torque, propelling the big van from 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds. The plug-in hybrid system utilises a 25.57kWh ‘Magazine Battery’ to deliver a claimed 106km electric-only driving range.
It’s capable of charging from 0-80 percent in 30 minutes with a 35kW DC fast charger, or 3.5 hours with a 6.6kW AC charger. It also offers 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (‘V2L’) capability, meaning you can fire up the grille or refrigerator on your next beach or camping adventure.
The Magazine Battery itself features GAC’s patented durability and fire resistance tech, capable of withstanding fire or explosion – ensuring battery safety at a time it’s a hot topic – with the company claiming it will withstand being crushed with 23-tonnes of force.
Factor in the petrol engine and a fully tank of fuel, and you’re looking at a claimed 1032km combined range, with fuel consumption of 6.05-liters/100km on the WLTP cycle. Our 44km stint behind the wheel with a mix of town and country roads revealed 4.6-litres/100km.
That was with a healthy amount of charge in the battery though. In terms of the driving experience, it’s all about passenger comfort, meaning it’s relaxed but well balanced from behind the wheel.
Featuring an electromagnetic damping suspension system that constantly adjusts as it reads the road surface ahead, similar to what you’d find in the Genesis G80, the thud you’d expect to feel from speed bumps and potholes is effectively neutralised.
The M8’s adaptive dynamic control system also plays a role in keeping things smooth and steady. Using inputs from the throttle and suspension, it looks to limit lateral and vertical movement. In reality, it’s surprisingly well behaved in the corners for such a heavy thing.
A sharp stab of the throttle won’t see passengers spill their drinks all over themselves either. Indeed, it’s a car that’s almost impossible to not drive smoothly, even if it’s still able to make some very good progress with those healthy performance figures.
Like the AION V electric SUV, the plug-in hybrid M8 is covered by an eight-year unlimited kilometre warranty, offering an extra year over the petrol-powered EMZOOM. The battery itself is covered by an eight-year/200,000km warranty.
There’s five years’ complimentary roadside assistance thrown in for good measure. Like the other two models, the M8 PHEV is impressive. Well equipped, nicely trimmed, and boasting on-road dynamics that are ideal for handling Aussie roads, there’s plenty to like about it.
The big hurdle is simply how small a segment this is in the grand scheme of Australia’s new car market. Of a total 1,111,064 new cars sold here between January to November 2025 per VFACTS, just 13,574 of those were people movers.
Of that number, 9962 were Kia Carnivals. While GAC’s SUVs will no doubt hold up the majority of its sales, the M8 does sit in an interesting spot. And those second row captain’s chairs are so good it’s worth an in-person look just to sit in them alone.
Our test vehicle was provided as part of a two-day GAC Australia launch event.
intrested to buy 2026 M8Phev in white body colour
Reach out to your nearest GAC dealership.