Large MPVs are great for long distance journeys, especially if they are kitted out with all manner of luxurious fittings like reclining and massage seats, or fancy entertainment options for rear passengers.
But how about one that can really go the distance? That’s what the GAC E9 claims to be its trump card, with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain that can supposedly go up to 1,000km with a full tank and charge.
At first glance, the E9 looks just like any other large MPV on the market. The upright boxy shape and large imposing chrome grille up front gives it plenty of presence. While there is some attempt to give it a bit of design flourish with its interestingly-shaped lights at the front and back, the E9 should generally blend in with the Toyota Alphards and Denza D9s in the large MPV crowd.
It is the inside where an MPV should be judged anyway, and the E9 tries to make a strong case for itself. Open up the rear sliding doors, and you’ll be greeted by a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row. GAC says that the seats are made from an especially thick foam material, and are wrapped in ultra soft leather for exceptional comfort, and on first experience, it’s hard to disbelieve their claim.
Besides soothing your rear end, the seats themselves come with a plethora of functions. They can recline every which way, and comes with ventilation to cool you down on a hot day. There’s even a 10-point massage function, and all of which can be adjustable from the embedded LCD screens on the seats.
There are also fold-out tables on the backs of the front seats, as well as cupholders that come with heating and cooling functions, just to enhance the business class experience further. The test car also came with a roof-mounted fold down screen where you can watch streaming videos, and a small chiller compartment, although both features were apparently added on extras that were not offered on the initial launch batch of cars.
Other niceties that help to enhance the atmosphere include a large sunroof that has a diamond-studded pattern that illuminates along with the cabin ambient lighting, and two 1.5-metre long air vents that stretch along the roof to cool the entire car easily. There’s also a premium 10-speaker Yamaha sound system that will please audiophiles, even if you’re seated all the way at the back.
Speaking of which, there’s plenty of room to accommodate seven full-sized adults in every seat, like any good large MPV should. Those seated at the third row may feel a bit claustrophobic though because of the relatively small windows, but access is easy thanks to the 2+2+3 seating layout, and there’s lots of space for everyone to stretch out.
It’s the same story for cargo, with the E9 offering a generous 580 litres of boot space with all the seats up. Fold away the third row though, which can be easily done with a handy flip-up mechanism, and you’ll get an impressive 1,500 litres of carrying capacity, enough for plenty of luggage bags for your road trip holiday.
For those seated in front, the dashboard layout is fairly straightforward. There’s the usual infotainment touchscreen, which on the E9 is admittedly not the slickest to operate. But there’s also a fair amount of physical switches and controls, which is a nice touch given that many newer EVs have opted to dispense with them these days.
On the go, the E9 impresses in a number of ways. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain of course is the highlight, with the car capable of travelling on electric mode for about 100km. Once you’ve depleted that though, the petrol engine kicks in, and GAC says that the total range of both drivetrains combined stands at 1,032km. In the real world though, that figure is probably somewhere around 850km, which is still impressive, but breaking the 1,000km barrier would likely require some very light-footed driving.
That’s not something you’d like to do in this car however, because the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is actually pretty sweet. The car accelerates with plenty of punch, and it certainly doesn’t feel like it’s lacking in power, despite its 2.2 tonne wright.
The total combined output of the electric motor and petrol engine is a colossal 367bhp, and it feels like the E9 could outrun more than a few sports cars. You could even adjust a variety of settings in the different driving modes, from the weight of the steering to the suspension firmness, as well as the throttle response.
It therefore gives the E9 a surprisingly sporty driving demeanour, and it goes a long way toward neutralising its van-like properties. Of course, it is still a large MPV, but you will still feel the weight and heft, but it doesn’t come across as too cumbersome unlike some of its other rivals out there.
At the same time, it also offers an impressively soothing ride. The suspension is well-controlled, and copes with bumps well, which, along with the excellent noise insulation, makes the E9 an extremely comfortable car to ride in.
Certainly, the E9 may not be the flashiest or most advanced luxury MPV out there, but it shines in its own way, namely with its outstanding drivetrain, and great combination of space and comfort. If you truly want a large MPV that you can enjoy on long road trips without worry, then the GAC E9 is very much the one that you should seriously consider.
