Has China finally built a drivers' car with GAC's Emzoom?
Where most Chinese vehicles focus on value for money and loaded features, it's wonderful to experience a vehicle that puts the driver first.
The GAC Emzoom is a high-riding crossover hatch that combines elements of Nissan, Lexus, and Mazda in its design. Its angular, sharp, and aggressive appearance makes it stand out from other vehicles in its class. Despite its base price of around R360k, the Emzoom's build quality is exceptional, with soft-touch materials on the dashboard and a cool blue-lined geometric patterned leatherette insert.
Under the hood, the Emzoom features a 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine that delivers 130kW of power and 270Nm of torque through a seven-speed DCT transmission. This results in a highly responsive and engaging driving experience, making it one of the best performers in its price range. The car handles tight curves effortlessly and boasts a comfortable ride, even when spiritedly driven.
Inside, the Emzoom features a central driver's digital display, analogue dials, and a Casio retro-watch style digital display. The car's interior is well-built, with a leatherette knee-brace running the length of the center console and two cupholders beside the gear selector. The boot space is adequate, and the fuel tank is not the largest but still provides a reasonable range for its eager engine.
While the car could benefit from a manual transmission and improved indicator and wiper stalks, its overall performance and engaging driving dynamics make it a standout choice in its class. Priced between R359,900 for the base Nova variant and R499,900 for the feature-laden R-Style model, the GAC Emzoom offers a unique driving experience that puts the driver first and provides ample space for a young family.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
