The GAC S7 plug-in hybrid large SUV made a surprise appearance at the Chinese automaker’s Australian brand launch in Sydney this week, and it could be launched here in 2026.
GAC has arrived Down Under with three models – the Emzoom small SUV, the Aion V mid-size electric SUV, and the seven-seat plug-in hybrid M8 people mover – and it previously promised to release a second SUV next year, as part of an eight-model local lineup by 2029 including a dual-cab ute.
Officially under consideration for local launch, the Toyota Kluger-sized S7 could be the next SUV to join the brand’s Australian arsenal.
A spokesperson for the automaker told CarExpert the S7, an unregistered left-hand drive example of which was on display at the event, was imported here from China to garner feedback from dealers and potential customers.
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Its Ranger Rover-esque exterior design includes a 2.6 metre-wide ‘emotional’ light band across the front, employing 2248 artificial intelligence (AI) powered LEDs to deliver ‘expressive’ lighting effects.
The five-seat S7 measures 4900mm long, 1950mm wide, and 1780mm tall, making it around the same size as the Kluger, which has a length/width/height of 4966/1930/1755mm. The Kluger is slightly longer, but the S7 boasts a 30mm longer wheelbase under a shorter body.
Like the Kluger, the S7 employs car-like monocoque construction rather than the body-on-frame design preferred by off-road SUVs like the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.
The S7 is also larger than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV mid-size SUV – which offers up to seven seats and measures 4710mm long, 1862mm wide and 1748mm high on a shorter 2706mm wheelbase – and its arch-rival, BYD Sealion 6 PHEV.
The hybrid system in the GAC – as offered in China, where it was launched earlier this year – incorporates a 118kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and the choice of one or two electric motors.
Single-motor versions are front-wheel drive, have combined outputs of 170kW/470Nm, and an electric-only range of 82km (WLTP) with the entry-level 21.3kWh battery, while a larger 36.1kWh version improves this to 145km.
The larger battery is standard in all dual-motor, four-wheel drive variants, extending the EV range to between 136-145km depending on equipment levels.
GAC claims DC fast-charging brings an 80 per cent battery top-up in 30 minutes.
The second motor boosts total outputs to 250kW/393Nm, and slashes the claimed 0-100km/h time by 2.1 seconds to 5.8 seconds.
Cargo capacity for all versions is 720 litres with the second row in place, expanding to 2050L when the second row is folded. There is no seven-seat version.
The cabin includes a a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 60W wireless phone charging, standard panoramic sunroof, and leather upholstery.
There’s also a strong suite of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), with LiDARs, radars and cameras used for autonomous emergency braking, automated parking and semi-auto freeway/on/off-ramp driving capability.
The S7 is sold by GAC’s Trumpchi brand in China, but all models from the automaker and its sister brands will be sold here with GAC badges.
GAC is launching in Australia with 12 dealers on the east coast, but is looking to expand its retail network to include 100 dealers nationwide, with the goal of becoming a top 10 auto brand locally by 2030.
MORE: Explore the GAC showroom
