2024 GAC GS3 EMZOOM Exclusive Review

The C-segment SUV market has been heating up locally in recent years. Consumers desire the flexibility of a compact body while not wanting to compromise on space and features. The 2024 GAC GS3 EMZOOM Exclusive aims to address this demand, with its 1.5T + 7DCT powertrain, advanced safety features, and balanced space performance as its core selling points. Our objective for this test drive is to verify whether it can stand out among competitors in the same price range and become a practical choice for family users.

From a distance, the overall design of the GS3 EMZOOM Exclusive leans toward a youthful and sporty style. The front face features a large blacked-out grille, complemented by a through-type LED daytime running light, offering high recognition. The side profile is sleek, with a waistline extending from the A-pillar to the rear, enhancing its muscular look. The 18-inch multi-spoke wheels combined with 225/55 R18 tires ensure both visual appeal and daily driving comfort. The rear design is clean, with blacked-out LED taillights echoing the front, while the silver skid plate below the rear bumper adds a touch of rugged SUV character. The lighting system comes standard with LED lights across the range, ensuring quick illumination and sufficient brightness to enhance nighttime driving safety.

Stepping inside, the interior features a black color scheme, with the dashboard wrapped in soft-touch materials and adorned with silver trim, giving it a high-quality feel compared to others in its class. The 7-inch LCD instrument cluster offers clear display of core information such as RPM, speed, and fuel consumption. The 10.25-inch central touchscreen is located above the dashboard, with a simple interface layout that supports Bluetooth connectivity and phone mirroring, providing decent operational smoothness. The multifunction steering wheel is wrapped in leather, offering a comfortable grip. The buttons on the left control multimedia and phone functions, while those on the right adjust the ACC cruise control system. In terms of features, keyless entry, one-touch start, automatic air conditioning, and rear air vents all come as standard, meeting the convenience needs of everyday use. The seats are upholstered in fabric, with six-way manual adjustment for the front seats and four-way manual adjustment for the rear seats. Although there is no electric adjustment function, the range of adjustments for the backrest angle and seat position is sufficient to cater to the needs of most users.

In terms of dimensions, the GS3 EMZOOM Exclusive measures 4410mm in length, 1850mm in width, and 1600mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2650mm, placing it at mainstream levels within the C-segment SUV category. For actual seating experience, an adult standing 175cm tall sitting in the front row has around a fist's width and two fingers' worth of headroom. Keeping the front seats in the same position, rear legroom measures about two fists, with one fist of headroom, ensuring comfort even for extended periods of travel. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 341L, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats, meeting the luggage storage needs for short family trips. The interior has ample storage space, with well-sized front door panels, a central armrest box, and a glovebox, providing convenient spots for placing small items like mobile phones and wallets.

For performance, the new model is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 130kW (177PS) and a peak torque of 270N·m, paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. In actual driving, the power response is quick at the start, offering decent acceleration with light throttle input. At medium and high speeds, pressing the throttle harder causes the transmission to downshift swiftly, providing sustained and linear power output, offering great confidence for overtaking. The transmission's shifting logic is clear, and it performs smoothly during everyday driving, with only slight jarring occasionally observed at low-speed crawling. There are three driving modes to choose from: Economy, Standard, and Sport. In Sport mode, throttle response becomes more sensitive, catering to users seeking a more dynamic driving experience.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension is a common configuration in the same segment. The suspension is tuned for comfort, effectively filtering out minor road bumps. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the body has minimal bounce, providing rear passengers with a relatively comfortable ride experience. The steering wheel has moderate weight, precise directionality, and minimal play. The vehicle maintains a stable posture when cornering, with body roll controlled within a reasonable range. The braking system features front and rear disc brakes that deliver linear braking force. The pedal feeling is solid, instilling confidence during emergency braking. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 5.9L/100km. During our test drive, which included city traffic and highway segments, the actual fuel consumption was approximately 6.8L/100km, which meets expectations.

As for driving comfort, the vehicle's noise control performs well. At speeds below 60km/h, there is almost no noticeable engine noise or tire noise inside the cabin. When the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise gradually increases but does not affect normal conversations. The seat provides adequate support and wrap-around comfort, so the lower back does not feel significant fatigue during long drives. The addition of rear air conditioning vents allows rear passengers to quickly enjoy cool or warm air, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2024 GAC GS3 EMZOOM Exclusive lies in its balanced product capabilities: sufficient power and reasonable fuel efficiency, space that meets the needs of family users, and a wide range of safety assistance systems (like lane assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking) and practical features (like 360-degree panoramic cameras and adaptive cruise control) that cover most daily use scenarios. Compared with competitors in the same class, its price of RM 116,800 offers competitive advantages in both configuration and space, especially with its comprehensive safety features, which stand out among similarly priced models.

This vehicle is suitable for families focused on practicality and safety or young individuals who have just entered the workforce and need an all-around commuter car. It does not have an overly aggressive design nor any obvious drawbacks, making it suitable for daily commutes or weekend getaways. If you are looking for a competitively priced, well-rounded C-class SUV, the GS3 EMZOOM Exclusive is worth considering.