GAC Aion UT vs Kia EV3
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Kia EV3 scores higher, 79 vs 77
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 5 Nov 2026
GAC Aion UT
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$31,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Hatchback
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 150kW
- Energy use
- 16.4 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2026
- Boot (seats up)
- 321L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia EV3
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 150kW
- Energy use
- 14.9 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 460L
Top CarSorted Score, 79 vs 77, but the GAC Aion UT is $15,610 cheaper
Kia Australia offer: Cashback, ends 30 Nov 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 30 Nov 2026
Manufacturer's terms: Offer available at participating Kia dealers on any in-stock new or demonstrator eligible vehicle purchased and delivered between 1 September and 30 November 2026.
Offer from Kia Australia, checked 15 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$31,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$47,600RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
GAC Aion UT Premium
$31,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 5 Nov 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
Kia EV3 Air Standard Range
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
Both totals exclude servicing and insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year (fixed for every comparison) in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Each car's fuel or charging price is in its own breakdown. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
Both totals exclude servicing and insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
Cash outlay over 5 years: the deposit, the repayments and the running costs. Excludes resale value. Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
Standard features per $10,000: not ranked, too few features are known for both cars. On the rated figures, the GAC Aion UT leads on price per km of range: $74 per km of range on RRP for the GAC Aion UT; $109 per km of range on RRP for the Kia EV3. On the rated figures, the GAC Aion UT leads on price per kw: $213 per kW on RRP for the GAC Aion UT; $317 per kW on RRP for the Kia EV3. Price per litre of boot: level ($100 per litre of boot on RRP for the GAC Aion UT; $103 per litre of boot on RRP for the Kia EV3). These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.
The GAC Aion UT starts $15,610 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$125/wk(≈$541/mo)
Estimate on the GAC Aion UT at $31,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the GAC Aion UTDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the GAC Aion UT at 5 stars (2026) and the Kia EV3 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2026 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the GAC Aion UT, against 6 on the Kia EV3.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the GAC Aion UT and 7 in the Kia EV3.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the GAC Aion UT and 6 on the Kia EV3.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
GAC Aion UT
None open on our record
Kia EV3
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging and range
The rated figures side by side: electric range and fuel use with the battery depleted for a plug-in hybrid or range extender, the km each battery-electric car adds overnight on its own onboard charger, and the DC time in the window each document prints.
| 2026 GAC Aion UT Premium | 2026 Kia EV3 Air Standard Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery electric | Battery electric |
| Added overnight, 10A power point (2.4 kW) | 146 km in 10 h | 161 km in 10 h |
| Added overnight, 7.4 kW wallbox | 402 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 6.6 kW AC | 497 km in 10 h |
| Added overnight, 11 kW three-phase | 402 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 6.6 kW AC | 705 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 10.5 kW AC |
| DC fast charge, as printedNo data for the GAC Aion UT. | No data | 31 min, 0-80% |
| Charging connector | Type 2 + CCS2 | CCS2 |
| Portable charger supplied | No data | No data |
| Type 2 cable supplied | No data | No data |
| Front boot | No data | 25 L |
- Km added in 10 hours: the charger rate, capped by the car's own onboard charger, over its own rated energy use. A car without an onboard charger or energy figure is No data, never an assumed rate.
- DC times are printed only in the window the document gives (0-80% or 10-80%). Different windows are not one measure, so nobody leads across them.
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
60kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 87kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (6.6kW AC, 87kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
58.3kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.5kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The GAC Aion UT features a 14.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV3 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The GAC Aion UT stands out with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats: features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV3. The Kia EV3 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GAC Aion UT gets pvc upholstery while the Kia EV3 offers cloth.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The GAC Aion UT uses a Electric producing 150kW and 210Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.
The Kia EV3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 283Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the GAC Aion UT is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 60kWh (GAC Aion UT) vs 58.3kWh (Kia EV3), giving WLTP ranges of 430km and 436km.
Space & Comfort
The GAC Aion UT measures 4,270mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, 30mm shorter than the Kia EV3 at 4,300mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GAC Aion UT generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 321L in the GAC Aion UT and 460L in the Kia EV3, giving the Kia EV3 a 139L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia EV3's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.2 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Front boot (frunk)
GAC Aion UT
No data
Kia EV3
25 L
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the GAC Aion UT costs about $738 a year (16.4 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity) and electricity for the Kia EV3 about $671 a year (14.9 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity). That is $67 a year less for the Kia EV3.
The weekly and 5-year figures in the price section above add repayments, rego, servicing and tyres to this; use our Fuel Cost Calculator for your own driving.
Warranty: 8 years / unlimited km (GAC Aion UT) and 7 years / unlimited km (Kia EV3).
- The Kia EV3 costs $15,610 more on RRP and $62 a year less in energy at 15,000 km a year: the gap closes only beyond 300,000 km.
Energy only. Excludes servicing, rego, insurance, finance interest and resale. Prices are compared only on one basis.
Where each one leads
The GAC Aion UT: the lower starting price ($31,990 against $47,600) and the longer warranty (8 years against 7).
The Kia EV3: the bigger boot with the seats up (460L against 321L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($671 a year against $738).
The Verdict
Kia EV3 scores higher, 79 vs 77
The Kia EV3 scores 79 to the GAC Aion UT's 77 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 7 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Kia EV3 ahead by 10 points), reliability (Kia EV3 ahead by 9 points), value (GAC Aion UT ahead by 5 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV3 costs about $67 less (14.9 kWh/100km against 16.4 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity). Boot space with the seats up: 321L in the GAC Aion UT, 460L in the Kia EV3. Warranty: 8 years on the GAC Aion UT, 7 on the Kia EV3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$125/wk(≈$541/mo)
Estimate on the GAC Aion UT at $31,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the GAC Aion UTDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GAC Aion UT and Kia EV3?
The GAC Aion UT is the cheapest at $31,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV3 by $15,610.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Kia EV3 has the most range at 436km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The GAC Aion UT accepts the highest DC charging at up to 87kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
GAC Aion UT holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2026) and Kia EV3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2026 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia EV3 has the largest boot at 460L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The GAC Aion UT has the longest warranty at 8 years / unlimited km.
Track the GAC Aion UT & Kia EV3
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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