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GAC GS8 HEV: GAC’s luxurious crossover SUV now made more efficient

Now featuring hybrid tech, the GS8 has further reinforced why it’s worth a look in the mid-size crossover market.

Jerome Tresvalles
GAC GS8 HEV

When it first launched in 2022, the 2nd generation GS8 made waves through being an affordable option in the premium seven-seater mid-size crossover segment. Affordable didn’t mean the GS8 was lacking compared to its rivals though. It was handsome in all angles, featured an exquisitely designed interior, and was bursting at the seams with features. 

The GS8 in its pure internal combustion version was nearly a perfect car. Fuel consumption was average but it was capable of pushing 248 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Now, however, the GS8 Hybrid has been released as the sole option for GS8 buyers. Aside from promising better fuel efficiency, let’s see what else has changed for the GAC GS8 for 2026.

Related: GAC AION V: Premium electric driving, minus the hefty price tag?
ICE Engine

The original GS8's 2.0-litre turbocharged GDI engine was no slouch, producing 248 hp and a strong 400 Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It was punchy, responsive, and more than adequate for a three-row crossover of this size. So why fix what wasn't broken?

Hybrid Engine

Nothing was fixed, just improved. The GS8 HEV swaps the pure-combustion setup for a 2.0TM hybrid engine producing 140 kW, or around 188 hp, of engine power and 320 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT transmission. Less numbers than before, but that’s just the engine alone.

The front electric motor adds 134 kW, or about 180 hp, and 270 Nm of torque, while a rear-mounted motor contributes an additional 40 kW or 54 hp, and 121 Nm. When the combustion engine and both electric motors work together, the GS8 HEV's combined output comfortably surpasses what the old turbocharged unit could muster on its own, all while returning significantly better fuel economy. The switch from an eight-speed automatic to a CVT may be seen as a downgrade, but the seamless power delivery of the hybrid system more than compensates.

Critically, the 4WD drivetrain is now standard across the board, courtesy of the rear electric motor acting as the second axle. The non-hybrid GS8 only offered 4WD as an option on higher trims; the HEV makes it a given for every buyer. 

Exterior

GAC has left the exterior design untouched for the switch to hybrid power. That said, there are more features to take note of. The HEV gains Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) headlights, which automatically adjust the light pattern to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Welcome headlamps and a welcome lamp blanket add a premium touch to the approach experience, greeting the driver with a light animation when they are near the vehicle.

The side mirrors receive an upgrade too: heated side mirrors and an intelligent memory function with auto-flip on reverse are now standard. The HEV also grows slightly in length, measuring 5,015 mm versus the standard GS8's 4,980 mm, giving it a marginally more imposing stance on the road. Front fog lights, previously absent on the standard model, make an appearance on the HEV. Privacy glass rounds out the exterior changes, adding a sleeker look while keeping cabin temperatures lower in the Philippine sun. The 255/50 R20 wheels and floating wheel emblem continue to give the GS8 HEV a distinguished, upmarket appearance.

Interior

We already praised the GS8 for its premium cabin, and the HEV takes things several steps further. The most notable upgrade inside is the front seating experience. Both the driver and front passenger now benefit from four-way power lumbar support. The driver's seat gains additional electric cushion adjustments for retraction and angle, plus a memory function that stores preferred seating positions. The front passenger, meanwhile, gets a Boss Key, a button that allows the rear passenger to push the front seat forward for more legroom with the press of a button.

Front seat massage is now included as well, improving long-distance comfort considerably. Heated front seats are also standard, though you may not use it as much as the existing ventilated first-row seats carried over from the previous model.

Moving to the second row, the HEV introduces aviation-style headrests. A quick-fold function for the second-row seatbacks with trunk release adds practicality, while the third row now features electric folding and reduction, making three-row configuration changes far more convenient than before.

GAC GS8 HEV Steering Wheel

The cabin trim also gets an upgrade in texture and material variety. Faux suede door trim panels replace the more conventional materials found in the standard GS8, adding a tactile richness to the doors that drives home the HEV's premium positioning. Tri-zone automatic air conditioning returns, now accompanied by an Air Quality Sensor (AQS) that monitors and responds to cabin air quality.

This is where the GS8 HEV shows the most changes over its predecessor. The new interior setup sees the digital instrument cluster grow from a seven-inch display to a much more substantial 12.3-inch LCD unit, bringing it in line with what premium European and Korean rivals offer. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now supported, previously unavailable in the pure ICE GS8, making smartphone integration seamless for buyers who rely on it daily. The Alpine sound system from the 4WD variant of the outgoing model is now standard on the HEV, as is a 14.6-inch HD LCD touchscreen and wireless charging.

ADAS

On the safety front, the HEV adds a driver's knee airbag to the existing suite of dual front, side, and curtain airbags. The ADAS suite is also significantly expanded. Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Door Open Warning, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Emergency Lane Keeping Assist are all new additions. An in-car monitoring system (IMR), which uses a cabin camera to detect driver drowsiness or distraction, is also included — a feature increasingly common in European vehicles but quite rare for the GS8’s price point. The surround-view system has been upgraded to a 540-degree HD setup, up from the 360-degree system on the outgoing model.

GAC GS8 HEV Front

The standard GS8 was competent off the beaten path, particularly in its 4WD configuration, with Sand, Mud, and Snow drive modes available. The HEV takes this further with the addition of a dedicated Trail Mode, a proper off-road setting that manages power distribution between the front and rear electric motors to optimize traction on uneven terrain.

Battery

This is where the hybrid architecture proves its hidden advantage: electric motors can deliver torque almost instantaneously and with far greater precision than a conventional combustion engine, making low-speed crawling over obstacles smoother and more controlled. The rear electric motor, functioning as a second driving axle, means all-wheel drive is always engaged and always intelligent instead of relying on a mechanical transfer case to split power reactively.

Combined with Hill Descent Control, Hill-start Hold Control, and the expanded suite of electronic safety systems, the GS8 HEV is arguably the most capable off-road GS8 yet, not despite its hybrid powertrain, but because of it.

Now with a more sophisticated powertrain, a richer interior, a broader safety net, and genuine off-road credentials, the GAC GS8 HEV makes a strong case as one of the most well-rounded three-row crossovers available at its price point today.

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