The GAC Emkoo has been a steady seller in the country since its launch back in 2023. Okay, it hasn’t exactly set the sales charts ablaze, but it’s not bad at all from a relatively young brand here. It’s a bit of an underrated crossover, too, as we thought it was a fairly competent compact crossover the last time we drove one.
We’ll go as far as saying it’s probably the best Chinese interpretation of a Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It’s about the same size, and feels close to the Japanese models that started the whole ‘wagons and hatchbacks on tall tires’ craze we’re experiencing now.
Then, last year, the Emkoo got a much-needed hybrid option. Okay, so we’re quite late to the party in reviewing since we’re pretty sure there have been several takers. Still, better late than never, and we might as well tell you what it’s like to satisfy any curious punters out there.
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Styling
Maybe it’s the vertical tail lights, but the Emkoo gives us Volvo XC60 and Honda CR-V vibes. That said, it’s an aggressive mish-mash of the Swedish and Japanese crossovers with its rakish roofline and slashes featured throughout the bodywork. The thing is, it manages to gel well together, and it still looks fresh even if the design itself has been around for about two years now.
Perhaps it’s a reflection of the Chinese car market. With no heritage or history to start on, designs have to be bold and attention-grabbing. After all, styling is the hook that gets people curious. We say GAC did a good job with the Emkoo by being daring without making it look polarizing. We wouldn’t call it bland or anonymous.
If there’s one thing we do need to point out, it’s the lack of a rear wiper. You’d think it would be a given in any crossover, but that’s not the case here. It’s particularly annoying after a light shower with dried up raindrops just sitting on the rear windshield. Surely, it wouldn’t have been too expensive to fit one from the start, right? Also, we’re a bit divided on the pop-out door handles. It looks sleek when retracted, but it sticks out awkwardly when unlocked. Thankfully, the ‘stick out’ function can be disabled to retain a flushed look whether locked or unlocked.
Interior
For a Chinese car, it hasn’t gone screen overload. The displays are reasonably sized and not too in your face. An odd quirk is the toggle to adjust the climate control. It’s literally a giant knob on the passenger side that flicks up or down. Why it’s there, we have no idea, but it does add a bit of personality inside.
As for cabin materials, it feels rather premium. It’s fair to say that it’s on par with the Japanese with the richness of the textures and the softness of the panels. Then again, you have to remember who builds a good chunk of Honda and Toyota vehicles in China. Yes, it’s GAC. Perhaps they picked up a thing or two from those automakers.
So, it looks good, and it feels great. However, the high window line make it feel smaller than it actually is inside. It’s like sitting inside a bunker, if we’re being honest. Those who want an SUV for maximum outward visibility won’t like it, and it’s a result of form over function. Also, the small windows mean pretty huge blindspots over at the back. This is why reverse cameras and sensors were invented.
That said, it’s actually not tight inside at all. There’s generous leg, head, and hip room in the Emkoo. In the passenger area at least, the hybridization of the Emkoo didn’t cut into interior space. However, the addition of the battery meant cargo space is slightly less than the gas-powered equivalent. It’s not a dealbreaker per se, but the higher floor and sloped tailgate mean loading taller items might be a slight challenge.
Engine performance
The hybrid is easily the most powerful of all the Emkoo variants in the country. It uses a 2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle engine mated to a single electric motor and a 2kWh battery. The result is a combined output of 235hp with the electric motor providing 300Nm. It then shifts with a two-speed dedicated hybrid transmission or DHT.
DHTs are a whole topic in itself, but to oversimplify it, it’s a transmission that helps the electric motor and gas engine interplay seamlessly, unlike an e-CVT, automatic, or dual-clutch transmission.
On the road, that translates to a smooth and refined feel that, as promised, offered seamless transitions between electric and gas power. It doesn’t feel like a CVT, either, and doesn’t have that ‘rubber band’ effect that variable transmissions usually exhibit.
It also means it lays down its 235hp on the road without fuss. The hybrid is heaps smoother than its gas-powered versions as it eliminated the jerkiness of dual-clutch transmissions found in the 1.5-liter turbo models. On that alone, we say the electrified version, and not the turbo models, are the ones to get.
This being a hybrid, we should talk about fuel economy. This crossover simply refused to dip below 12.5km/L, in terrible traffic. We achieved that figure at neck-snapping speeds of, er, 10.6kph. In lighter traffic, the Emkoo hybrid easily ranges from 13km/L to 16km/L around the city. Not bad, eh?
Ride and handling
We’ll be straightforward and call the ride a touch on the firm side. It’s not spine shattering, mind you, but you’re well aware of road imperfections. We also noticed a fair amount of lateral movement when taking speed bumps at an angle. Again, it’s not terrible, and the seats do a fine job of absorbing impact harshness.
On the flip side, the Emkoo handles better than one would expect. It manages to make you feel like you’re driving a lower car and resists body lean well enough. Obviously, this car wasn’t designed to chase Civic Type Rs, but it goes around corners with a hint of fun and zero drama.
Even the brakes deserve a shout out as it has none of the usual ‘grabby’ feel that some hybrids have. Only the light steering prevents it from being truly engaging, but no one buys a crossover to bring it to a track day.
Extra features
Now that the Chinese have figured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto rule the world, we’re glad to see it standard in the Emkoo and other models that hail from China. But what’s interesting here is the degree of personalization that can be done here. We’re not just talking about the colors of the ambient lights or what the screen’s wallpaper displays. Drive modes can be individually configured, from steering effort weight, throttle response, and level or brake regeneration.
Of course, advanced driver assists are present. There’s adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, just to name a few. Oh, and there’s a giant panoramic glass roof to let in more much-needed light into the cabin.
Verdict
In terms of powertrain performance and refinement, it’s getting dangerously close to the Japanese establishment. To think GAC only started making cars in 2010 shows just how quickly the company is progressing.
Truth be told, only the chassis needs polish in the Emkoo Hybrid. A better balance of ride and handling would make it an even greater threat to the RAV4 and CR-V, at least in terms of product execution. Yes, the Toyota and Honda still have the edge, but the Emkoo makes a solid case for itself.
And we haven’t even factored in the price. The GAC Emkoo hybrid retails for P1,698,000. Okay, it sounds expensive, but when you put it beside the other compact hybrid SUVs in the market, it easily undercuts all of them save for the BYD Sealion 6 and few more Chinese alternatives.
To sum up, it’s a hugely competent alternative to the RAV4 HEV and CR-V e:HEV for much less that won’t leave you feeling shortchanged. But the Emkoo Hybrid’s bigger challenge is its own compatriots that can be had for less – and those come with a rear wiper standard. So, Chinese compact crossover Big Test, anyone?
But if you’ve made up your mind and dead set on getting an Emkoo, the hybrid is the variant to get. Hands-down.
Specs: 2025 GAC Emkoo Hybrid
Price: P1,698,000
Engine: 2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle I4 + permanent magnet synchronous motor
Power: 235hp (combined)
Torque: 300Nm (motor)
Transmission: 2-speed DHT
Drive layout: Front-wheel drive
Seating: 5
Score: 9/10
More photos of the 2025 GAC Emkoo Hybrid:
