GAC GS3 Review

In today's Malaysian C-Segment SUV market, competition is becoming increasingly intense. For consumers looking to purchase a vehicle with sufficient power and practical space within a budget of RM100,000, the options may seem plentiful, but those that truly offer "no compromise on basic configurations" are quite rare. The 2024 GAC GS3 EMZOOM Standard, launched in October, is priced at RM103,800 with a combination of a 1.5T turbocharged engine and a 7DCT transmission. It comes standard with convenient features such as LED headlights and keyless entry. This "entry-level with core power" setup has piqued the curiosity of many: Can it genuinely meet the needs of daily family use? This time we obtained the actual vehicle to test whether its static experience and dynamic performance match its pricing and positioning.

From the outside, the design of the GS3 EMZOOM Standard appeals to the aesthetics of today's young consumers. The front features a large polygonal grille with horizontal blacked-out accents, while the LED daytime running lights on both sides are in a zigzag shape and seamlessly connect to the grille, enhancing the visual width. The body side lines are simple, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the taillights that is not overly exaggerated but adds a touch of muscularity. The 18-inch wheels with 225/55 R18 tires make for a more impressive configuration in this price range. The LED taillights adopt a through-type design, connected in the middle by a chrome strip. When lit, the taillights are highly recognizable. The rear bumper features black plastic cladding, which retains a hint of SUV ruggedness, but the overall style leans toward urban design.

Opening the door, the interior layout prioritizes practicality. The dashboard predominantly uses hard plastic materials, but the assembly gaps are well-controlled, with no obvious looseness. The 10.25-inch central touchscreen is a highlight of the interior, as its size is considered large among entry-level models in this segment. The interface layout is clear, operational smoothness is decent, and it supports basic multimedia and Bluetooth connectivity. The instrument cluster is a combination of a 3.5-inch traditional mechanical display and a small screen, capable of showing core information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level. While it may lack the visual appeal of a fully digital instrument panel, it is direct and sufficient for reading everyday data. In terms of features, keyless entry and start are standard, making it convenient to get in without taking out the key. The multifunction steering wheel allows you to control the volume and answer calls, reducing distractions while driving. However, the front air conditioning is manually operated, and the seats are also manually adjustable—6-way adjustment for the driver's seat and 4-way for the passenger seat. Adjusting the seating position requires turning the knobs several times, but the adjustment range is broad enough to accommodate drivers of most heights.

Space is one of its strengths. The dimensions of the vehicle are 4410mm in length, 1850mm in width, and 1600mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2650mm—90mm longer than the previous 2021 GS3 model, which had a wheelbase of 2560mm. When the front row is adjusted to a comfortable seating position, a 175cm passenger still has a headroom of one fist and two fingers. In the rear row, a passenger of the same height has two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom. Even when accommodating three adults, it does not feel too cramped. The trunk has a regular capacity of 341 liters, sufficient to hold two 20-inch suitcases. The rear seats support a 60/40 split-fold design, which can expand the storage space when folded down, making it easy to carry long items such as strollers and folding bicycles. There are also plenty of storage compartments in the cabin. The front armrest box and door panel storage slots have adequate capacity, and a phone can be placed in the hollow area in front of the gear lever, which is convenient for temporarily holding items.

The most notable aspect of this test drive is the powertrain. The GS3 EMZOOM Standard is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 177PS and a peak torque of 270N·m, paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. When starting off, the throttle response is not particularly sensitive, but after pressing about one-third, the turbo kicks in promptly, delivering smooth power output. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 8 seconds. While driving in reality, overtaking in urban roads feels confident—for instance, accelerating from 60km/h to 90km/h on a 90km/h speed limit road can be achieved by lightly pressing the throttle. The transmission shifts quickly, with no obvious jerks. However, on low-speed congested roads, such as parking lots or starting at traffic lights, you might occasionally feel slight jerky movements from the transmission. This is a common characteristic of dual-clutch transmissions but does not impact daily use.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is relatively light, which makes it easy to handle even for women. The steering has minimal play, making it agile for lane changes or U-turns in the city. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, and the rear suspension is a torsion beam non-independent suspension, a combination that is very common in this class. When driving over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out most small vibrations, but when encountering larger potholes, the rear seat may feel noticeable bouncing. Overall, the support is decent, and the body roll while cornering is not severe, maintaining a good level of stability. Regarding fuel efficiency, we conducted a test and found that the combined fuel consumption in urban roads and highways is about 7.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official 5.9L. However, considering this is a turbocharged engine, the result is reasonable for daily use. With a full 47L fuel tank, it can roughly cover 650 kilometers, reducing the need for frequent refueling.

In terms of ride comfort, the seat padding is not particularly soft but offers good support, so the lower back won't feel too sore during long drives. However, the rear seatback angle is relatively upright, which may cause some discomfort for long journeys. Noise control is relatively good, as the cabin remains quiet at speeds below 60km/h, with minimal wind and tire noise. Once the speed exceeds 80km/h, tire noise gradually increases, particularly on concrete roads, but it’s still within an acceptable range and doesn’t affect normal conversations. As for the configuration shortcomings, such as only having two airbags and no automatic air conditioning, these are indeed the limitations of the entry-level version. However, considering its pricing, these are reasonable trade-offs.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2024 GAC GS3 EMZOOM Standard are quite evident: within a budget slightly over RM10,000, it offers a 1.5T+7DCT powertrain combination, which is more competitive than many similarly priced models that use naturally aspirated engines. The spacious interior, with a 2650mm wheelbase, accommodates family needs well. Standard features like LED headlights and keyless entry also enhance daily convenience. Compared to rivals in the same segment, such as an entry-level model with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, the GS3 EMZOOM Standard provides stronger power output and configurations that are more aligned with current needs. While it does have drawbacks, such as a limited number of airbags and somewhat hard interior materials, these are common in entry-level models.

This car is very suitable for budget-conscious family users who still want adequate power—for example, newlyweds who need a vehicle for daily commuting and occasional short trips with family. Its space and power fully meet these needs. It is also suitable for young drivers who have just obtained their licenses, as the steering is light, visibility is good, and it is easy to handle. If you pursue high configurations or more luxurious interiors, you can consider its mid-to-high-end versions. However, if you only want an SUV that is "easy to drive, adequate, and affordable," the GS3 EMZOOM Standard is indeed a practical choice.

Overall, the 2024 GAC GS3 EMZOOM Standard is a car that "puts money where it matters." It does not add flashy but impractical features; instead, it brings the core aspects of power and space to the mainstream level for its price range. For consumers who value practicality and cost-effectiveness, it is worth adding to the consideration list.