2021 GAC GS3 Premium Review

The competition in Malaysia's B-SUV market has become increasingly fierce in recent years. Consumers want the urban agility that comes with a compact body while also demanding higher levels of practicality and rich features. The 2021 GAC GS3 Premium, as a popular choice in this segment, features a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine paired with a 6AT gearbox, and comes standard with 6 airbags, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and other configurations, positioning itself as a "balanced and practical" option. Our primary goal in this test drive is to evaluate its actual performance in daily commutes and short family trips, and to see if these on-paper features translate into real usability value.

From the exterior design, the GS3 Premium's design isn't overly aggressive, but its details reveal some adjustments aimed at younger users. The front features a large trapezoidal grille filled with black honeycomb-style trim. The headlamp assembly combines halogen and LED elements, with L-shaped daytime running lights that have a decent level of recognition when lit. The side profile of the car has simple lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, paired with 215/60 R17 silver multi-spoke rims, giving it a relatively steady visual appeal. At the rear, the tail lights adopt a horizontal layout with a clear internal structure, and a silver skid plate design is added to the lower rear bumper, lending the car a touch of SUV ruggedness. Overall, the appearance leans towards being "aesthetically pleasing" without overly complex designs, suited to the preferences of most family users.

Inside the cabin, black serves as the main color tone. The top of the dashboard is made of hard plastic material, with silver trim in the middle section for decorative purposes. While the materials are not luxurious, the panel fit is relatively uniform. The steering wheel is multifunctional, with buttons on the left for volume adjustment and phone calls, and those on the right controlling the trip computer. The operational logic is clear, and it's easy to get acquainted with. The instrument cluster combines a 3.5-inch LCD screen with mechanical dials, displaying basic information such as RPM, speed, and fuel consumption. The display is clear but lacks the richer functionalities of a fully digital instrument cluster. The most noticeable feature in the center console area is the 8-inch touchscreen, which supports Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The added Sound Plus feature marginally improves sound quality, but the system's smoothness is moderate, with occasional minor delays when loading applications.

In terms of space performance, the GS3 Premium has a wheelbase of 2560mm, which is average in the B-SUV category. The front seats support 6-way manual adjustment, and with my height of 175cm, after adjusting to a comfortable sitting position, there is a clearance of one fist and two fingers above my head, without feeling cramped. Rear legroom offers about one fist of space, and headroom is around one fist. The middle section of the rear floor has a slight hump, but it does not affect the middle passenger's comfort for short trips. The rear row is equipped with air-conditioning vents and ISO FIX child seat anchors, which add to its practicality. The trunk has a capacity of 356L, which is adequate for fitting two 20-inch suitcases. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split to create more storage space, making it suitable for transporting larger items.

In terms of powertrain, the GS3 Premium is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine delivering a maximum horsepower of 114PS and a peak torque of 150N·m, paired with a 6AT gearbox. During actual driving, the power output in the initial phase is relatively gentle, making it suitable for stop-and-go urban traffic. When the revs exceed 4500rpm, the torque delivery becomes more noticeable. During overtaking, you need to press the accelerator more firmly in advance. The gearbox shifting logic prioritizes smoothness, with downshifting not being particularly fast, but it is sufficient for daily commuting. There are two driving modes: Eco and Sport. In Sport mode, throttle response becomes slightly more sensitive, though there is no substantial change to the overall power performance.

In terms of handling and chassis, the front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension is not explicitly indicated. However, in actual experience, it can filter out most minor bumps when driving over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces commonly found in urban settings. However, when encountering larger undulations, there is slight body sway. The steering wheel has moderate resistance and minimal slack, making it agile during daily lane changes or U-turns. At higher speeds, the steering becomes slightly heavier, providing decent stability. As for braking, the front and rear disc brake system performs linearly, offering gentle braking in the initial phase, and increased braking force kicks in promptly under deeper pressure, making it easy to control during daily driving.

In the fuel consumption test, we drove 50km in congested urban roads and 50km on faster routes, with the air conditioning always on. The final displayed fuel consumption was 7.2L/100km, which is not far off from the official figure of 6.9L/100km. For an SUV weighing 1.35 tons, this fuel efficiency is slightly above average for its class. Regarding noise control, below a speed of 60km/h, the primary noise inside the cabin comes from the tires. After exceeding 80km/h, wind noise becomes more noticeable but remains within an acceptable range and does not affect normal conversations.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2021 GAC GS3 Premium lies in its balance—its performance is sufficient for daily use, its space can meet the needs of family short trips, and its standard configuration includes six airbags, reverse camera, electrically folding rearview mirrors, etc. Within the same price range (approximately RM 96,800) among B-SUVs, its cost-performance ratio stands out. Compared to its peers, such as the Honda HR-V or Toyota C-HR, the GS3 Premium offers richer features but slightly weaker brand recognition. When compared to domestic competitors, its reliability in the three major components shows relatively stable performance.

The target audience for this car is quite clear: practical and value-conscious family users, especially those who commute daily and occasionally take short trips with their family. It does not have any particularly significant weaknesses or extreme performance, but as a "household utility vehicle," it fulfills its role well.

In summary, the 2021 GAC GS3 Premium is a "pragmatic" B-SUV that, with its comprehensive basic configuration and stable dynamic performance, meets the core needs of family users. If you do not need aggressive performance or luxurious interiors and only want a reliable and hassle-free family car, it is worth considering.