All-New GAC GS8 SUV Arrives In The Middle East To Wow You To The Moon And Back

Since the mid-2010s, GAC Motor has become one of the most popular Chinese automakers in the Middle East. And in 2016, the GS8 was launched and is still the largest SUV the brand makes – one of its flagship offerings even. Now, GAC has given the SUV a major facelift and updated almost everything about it. Technically a mid-size SUV, for all intents and purposes, it can be considered a full-size model as it really is a big thing.

Where the first-generation GS8 arrived with an attractive design, a spacious interior, and a decently-capable powertrain, the all-new model will have better everything. Not only is it poised to improve on all those aspects, but with its new GPMA-L platform and an entirely-new design updates, it’s to take luxury to a whole new level for the Chinese brand. With buyers flocking in herds for the next big SUV, the future for the all-new GAC GS8 seems promising.

A thoroughly rehashed exterior that’s more aggressive than your next-door Chihuahua

Most people that buy a large SUV want others to know that they own a big chunk of the roadways (almost). This requires a certain level of visual intimidation factor, something the all-new GS8’s design seems to offer in spades. The front-end has been completely overhauled and now comes with a massive grille with an intricately-detailed pattern, vertically-aligned (and large) LED headlamps with an extension into the grille, and a well-sculpted bumper with a wide-open central air intake.

The recessed yet protruding design of the headlamps looks unique, whilst the almost blunt nose makes this SUV look even more serious and chic compared to its predecessor. Moreover, the long and sculpted hood adds to the overall theater that is the front of the new GS8. At almost 5 meters in length and 1.95 meters across, the all-new GS8’s dimensions itself will grab attention. Adding to this are the SUV’s new 20-inch alloy rims that look splendid and are large enough to keep those eyeballs stuck to your car.

The all-new GS8’s sides further accentuate its size due to the extended wheel arches, an almost-flat roofline, wing mirrors that jut out quite a bit, an elegant chrome strip on the lower windowline, and a unique lower-door protrusion that also gets its own chrome touch. Of course, the large glass area all-around works really well in favor of the new GS8. The rear of the all-new GS8 features large vertical LED taillights (with a diamond-like pattern), a sporty roof spoiler, twin-exhaust tips, and a slightly-bulbous yet sculpted tailgate. On a side note, it’s hard to ignore some design connections that this GS8 has to other SUVs (like the latest Range Rover and the Escalade).

An interior that definitely provides for an enjoyable visual experience

The interior of the all-new GAC GS8 is nothing short of spectacular. It hosts an abundance of soft-touch materials that are mixed well with technology and design cues that beckon one to look at things closer. There’s a blend of different colors, textures and design aesthetics that all gel together without looking like a hotchpotch of differing opinions. In the interior of the new GS8, you’ll come across stitched leather, quilted seats, piano-black trim, plus high-quality metallic accents that go hand-in-hand with twin digital displays (including a massive central touch unit).

The driver gets a 7-inch color gauge cluster that looks neat, though it’s not exactly industry-leading in the traditional sense. Having said that, it’s easy to get a hang of and works as intended. Meanwhile, the 14.6-inch main screen is high-definition and seems to be quite good for an LCD unit – even if it’s not the most crisp one in the market. Depending on your preference, the new GS8 can be equipped with either a bench seat or individual captain seats in the middle.

Thanks to the expansive 2.92-meter wheelbase, even the rear-most seats of the new GS8 are fairly usable. Of course, with all three rows in place, boot space is limited to the say the least. In general, fit-and-finish and build quality should be far better than what one might expect from a relatively-new Chinese car brand. As time passes, brands hailing from PRC are only set to get better on every aspect that makes cars such as these objectively premium.

The all-new GAC GS8 is packed to the gills with features

Depending on your requirements, you’ll come to appreciate the new GS8’s feature-rich cabin. It can be fitted with tech such as passive entry with push-button start, an 8-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, 32-color ambient LED lighting, a 10-speaker Alpine premium sound system, a wireless charging pad, paddle shifters, auto & adaptive LED headlamps, a power tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, acoustic front windows, tri-zone automatic climate control with Air Quality Sensor, six drive/traction modes, and ventilated front seats and armrest.

GAC has packed shiploads of safety features into the all-new GS8. A few of these are as follows – digital video recorder, heads-up display, HD Surround Vision Parking System with Fusion Automatic Parking Assist, adaptive cruise control with Forward Collision Warning & Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist & Lane Change Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Rear Collision Warning with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Electronic Stability Program, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and 7 airbags. Clearly, there are a lot of safety nannies in the new GS8.

What’s under the hood of the all-new GAC GS8?

Powering the all-new GAC GS8 is a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that pushes out 248hp while also developing 400Nm of peak torque. The four-popper is mated to an Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission that can spin just the front wheels or all fours. Meanwhile, the new GS8’s fuel consumption ranges between 12.5 – 13.2 kpl (for AWD and FWD variants, respectively).

How much does the all-new GAC GS8 cost in the Middle East?

If you’re based in Saudi Arabia, the all-new GAC GS8 SUV starts from SAR 109,250 for the base variant. The range-topping trim comes in at SAR 146,177. Meanwhile, the entry-level trim of the 2023 GAC GS8 costs AED 149,900 in the United Arab Emirates.