GAC GS8 vs rivals: what would you pick?

While relatively new Chinese brands have been successful with subcompact and compact crossovers in the Philippine market, GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group Company Limited) Motors Philippines decided to go big when it introduced the GS8 mid-size crossover. 

So, at the moment, the GAC model has become one of the few Chinese-made three-row crossovers in the market. And obviously, it has since penetrated the zeitgeist of local buyers since more and more examples can be seen running around on local roads. 

Of course, the GAC GS8 can stand on its own merit as a good value-for-money purchase. It is relatively peppy for its size, it is filled with a lot of creature comforts, and it is offered with an accessible price ranging from P2.398 million-P2.648 million. 

But what about its competitors? Specifically, what are the alternatives of the GAC GS8 in the Philippine market? 

Before listing down the GAC rivals here in the Philippines, however, let’s have a short overview of what this ride has to offer. 

GAC GS8 

As mentioned above, the GAC GS8 is a uni-body, three-row, mid-size crossover model. Like many other crossovers in the market, it comes with a boxy design, which mimics the look of sports utility vehicles (SUV). 

On the outside, the GAC model comes standard with plenty of features. It boasts full LED lighting, automatic headlamp functionality, a soundproof windshield, a panoramic sunroof, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and a set of 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. 

The interior of the GAC model, on the other hand, boasts leather-upholstered seats and a well-arranged dashboard clad in soft-touch materials of shiny decorative trimmings. 

Comfort-oriented features available to the GS8 include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Three-zone automatic air-conditioning
• Six-way power adjustable driver’s seat
• Power-adjust driver’s seat lumbar support
• Four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Ventilated first-row seats
• Electronically-sliding second-row seats
• Ambient lighting
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• USB ports
• 10-piece Alpine sound system (4x4 trim)

Onboard entertainment and navigation for the GS8 are provided by a 14.6-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and smartphone-linking capabilities. 

For the driver, the model provides plenty of amenities geared towards ease of use. It features a push-to-start button, a front center armrest, an electronic parking brake, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a drive mode selector. 

As expected from the nameplate, it was thoroughly kitted out for safety. It has a total of six airbags, anti-lock braking, hill-start hold control, hill-descent control, tire pressure monitoring, ISOFIX, and a digital video recorder (dashcam) - among others. 

The aforementioned safety features are supported by an array of advanced driver-assist systems listed here:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Traffic sign recognition
• Forward collision warning
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Traffic jam assist
• Integrated cruise assist

Under the hood of both GS8 4x2 and 4x4 trims is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine capable of producing up to 248 horsepower (hp) and 400 Newton-meters (Nm). It also uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Here is a table summarizing the GAC GS8 4x4’s mechanical specifications: 

Model	GAC GS8 4x4
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
Fuel	Gasoline
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain	4x4
Horsepower	248
Torque (in Nm)	400
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Ford Explorer

One of the GAC GS8’s biggest competitors in the Philippine market is the Ford Explorer. Currently, it is one of the largest offerings within the Blue Oval’s local lineup, priced at P3.498 million as the Limited trim. 

Like the GAC model, the Explorer is a unibody seven-seater ride propelled by a gasoline motor. Specifically, it uses a 2.3-liter inline-4 EcoBoost engine capable of outputting 300 hp and 420 Nm of torque. 

For its transmission, the Ford comes with a 10-speed automatic, which sends power to all four of its wheels. 

With regards to how it looks, the Philippine-spec Ford Explorer bears a striking design that was made more impactful thanks to a large grille, black plastic claddings, and a large tailgate. Additional exterior-mounted features of the three-row ride include a set of 20-inch aluminum wheels, LED fixtures, rains-sensing wipers, a twin-panel moonroof, and power-folding side mirrors - among others. 

Inside, the Explorer offers ample space for up to seven occupants. Keeping everyone cool inside the vehicle is a triple-zone automatic climate control system, as well as sunblinds for the second row. 

Other notable interior features of the Explorer include the following: 

• 6.5-inch digital gauge cluster
• Eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Push-to-start button with remote starting
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• 12-piece Bang and Olufsen speaker system
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Ambient lighting
• Power-adjust front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating
• Electronic parking brake
• Smart-charging USB ports
• Drive mode selector

Safety aboard the Ford is primarily handled by seven airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and parking sensors - among others. 

The aforementioned are supported by an ADAS suite consisting of a pre-collision assist system, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, a blind spot information system, lane keep assist, evasive steer assist, and many other advanced technologies. 

For reference, here is a table showing the mechanical specifications of the Ford Everest Limited: 

Model	Ford Explorer Limited
Engine	2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4
Fuel	Gasoline
Transmission	10-speed automatic
Drivetrain	All-wheel-drive (AWD)
Horsepower	300
Torque (in Nm)	420
Front suspension	Independent McPherson strut
Rear suspension	Independent Integral Link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Seres 7

A relatively new rival to the GAC GS8 is the Seres 7, which was introduced by Seres Auto Philippines in 2024.

Of course, the Seres 7 is also a mid-size unibody crossover. Only its top-spec Premium trim, however, is capable of seating up to six occupants. 

Propelling the top-spec version of the Seres 7 is a range-extended electric powertrain consisting of two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), a 40.06-kilowatt-hour lithium battery, and a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. 

Its duo of electric motors can produce up to 433 hp and 654 Nm of torque. Its onboard internal combustion range extender, meanwhile, can make up to 113 hp and 190 Nm of torque. 

According to the New European Driving Cycle, the mid-size Seres model has an all-electric range of 162 kilometers (km) and a full range of up to 1,100 km. 

Notable interior features of the Seres 7 Premium include a three-zone automatic climate control system, second-row captain seats, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, massage functionality for the first and second rows, two wireless smartphone charging pads, leather upholstery, ventilated first and second rows, and a panoramic sunroof - among others. 

Positioned in the middle of its dashboard is a 15.6-inch screen with smartphone linking software. For monitoring vehicle-related parameters, the model also comes with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster.

Handling safety for the Seres 7 is a suite of ADAS features, which includes the following:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Automatic parking assist
• Rear collision warning
• Lane keep assist
• Forward collision warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane change assist

For the pricing details of the Seres 7, those interested can acquire details from the brand's test drive center located along EDSA (San Juan) or at its dealership in San Fernando Pampanga. 

Here is a table showing the mechanical specifications of the Seres 7 Premium: 

Model	Seres 7 Premium
Range extender engine	1.5-liter inline-4
Fuel	Gasoline
Electric motors	Dual PMSM
Transmission	Automatic
Drivetrain	All-wheel-drive (AWD)
Electric motor output	433 hp, 654 Nm of torque
Range extender output	113 hp, 190 Nm of torque
Front suspension	Independent McPherson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Hyundai Santa Fe

Yet another competitor to the GAC GS8 is the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is currently offered with a price ranging from P2.41 million-P3.33 million.

Similar to the GAC model, the latest iteration of the Santa Fe boasts a boxy SUV-like design with a generous amount of ground clearance. 

Notable exterior amenities available to the Hyundai seven-seater include full LED lighting, a power sunroof, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and a set of 21-inch alloy wheels. 

Its list of notable interior features, meanwhile, includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Leather-upholstery
• Push-to-start button
• Smart key
• Drive mode select
• Electronic parking brake
• 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
• Electrochromic rearview mirror
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Six-piece speaker system
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Power-adjust front seats with ventilation and heating
• Ultraviolet cleaning tray
• Second row sunshades

Positioned in the center of the Santa Fe’s dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display also has Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to take voice commands. 

In terms of safety, the Santa Fe comes with what is expected from a modern vehicle. Its essential safety gear is also reinforced by a suite of ADAS features consisting of adaptive cruise control, lane following assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, and manual speed limit assist - among others. 

Under the hood of the top-spec Santa Fe Calligraphy hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 paired with an electric motor. In total, the hybrid system can produce up to 231 hp and 367 Nm of torque.

Here’s a table summarizing the mechanical specifications of the Santa Fe Calligraphy HEV: 

Model	Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy HEV
Engine	1.6-liter turbo inline-4 hybrid
Fuel	Gasoline
Transmission	Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain	AWD
Horsepower	231
Torque (in Nm)	367
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Final thoughts

To sum it all up, the GAC GS8 clearly undercuts most of its competitors when it comes to pricing. But regardless, it offers roughly the same amount of creature comforts and safety technologies. 

Do be aware, however, that many of the GAC model’s rivals each have their individual strengths. And, of course, each will ride and drive differently. So, for folks seriously considering a three-row mid-size crossover, it would be a good idea to give all of these models a test drive. 

Also read: 

Here are the GAC GS8's 2 variants

These are the GAC GS8 4WD's body color options