2026 GAC Emzoom Premium is Australia's joint-cheapest SUV
Priced from $22,990 driveaway until 30 September, the new entry Premium grade undercuts the Luxury by $4,000 and ties the MG ZS Vibe, but GAC has deleted seatbelt pre-tensioners to get there.
Rob Leigh
Key takeaways
- 2026 GAC Emzoom Premium lands at $22,990 driveaway, Australia's joint-cheapest SUV
- Undercuts the Emzoom Luxury by $4,000 and beats the Chery Tiggo 4
- Price comes with deleted seatbelt pre-tensioners and rear belt reminders
GAC now sells one of Australia's cheapest new SUVs. The 2026 GAC Emzoom Premium arrives as a new entry grade priced from $22,990 driveaway, matching the MG ZS Vibe for the joint-cheapest new SUV title in the local market.
It is available to order now, with cars landing in dealerships from early September.
2026 GAC Emzoom driveaway price
| Variant | Driveaway price |
| Emzoom Premium | From $22,990 |
| Emzoom Luxury | From $26,990 |
See GAC Emzoom driveaway pricing and specifications →
White is the standard no-cost colour, with a surcharge applying to all other finishes.
The sticker price sits $4,000 under the Emzoom Luxury, which holds at $26,990 driveaway. That pricing runs until 30 September and GAC has not confirmed where it lands afterwards.
2026 GAC Emzoom Premium specs
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol |
| Power | 125kW |
| Torque | 270Nm |
| Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel use (combined, claimed) | 6.6L/100km |
| Boot space | 341L (1271L seats folded) |
| Warranty | Seven years, unlimited km |
The Premium keeps the Luxury's 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, good for 125kW and 270Nm, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and front-wheel drive.
GAC claims 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle. In our own testing of the identical Luxury drivetrain, real-world consumption sat closer to 8 to 9L/100km around town. Boot space holds at 341 litres with the rear seats up.
How it hits $22,990
Plenty of the Luxury's gear goes to reach the lower number. Out go the panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, ventilated driver's seat, wireless charging, ambient lighting and the 18-inch wheels, which drop to 17s.
The bigger talking point is safety. The Premium deletes seatbelt pre-tensioners front and rear, the devices that pull slack out of the belt the moment a crash is detected. Force limiters stay, but rear seatbelt reminders and the blind-spot view system are gone.
The 360-degree camera reverts to a plain reversing camera, every front parking sensor is deleted, and only three of the six rear sensors remain.
2026 GAC Emzoom Premium standard features
- 17-inch alloys with space-saver spare
- Automatic LED headlights with high-beam assist
- 14.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Keyless entry and start, six-speaker audio
- Synthetic leather seats, six-way manual driver's seat
- Single-zone auto climate with rear vents
- Adaptive cruise control, AEB and lane-keep assist
- Six airbags, electric park brake with auto hold
The value is obvious. What buyers weigh up is whether saving $4,000 is worth handing back the belt tech that works in the half-second before impact.
Worth factoring in too: we scored the Emzoom 6.5 out of 10 in our full review, where a hesitant dual-clutch was the sticking point, and the Premium runs the same drivetrain.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the 2026 GAC Emzoom Premium?
From $22,990 driveaway nationwide until 30 September 2026. That is $4,000 less than the Emzoom Luxury.
Is the GAC Emzoom Premium the cheapest SUV in Australia?
It ties the MG ZS Vibe as the joint-cheapest new SUV on sale, and undercuts the Chery Tiggo 4 by $1,000.
What is the GAC Emzoom like to drive?
We scored it 6.5 out of 10. The equipment and styling impress for the money, but the jerky seven-speed dual-clutch is the weak point.
Rob Leigh
Co-founder & Director
Rob Leigh is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 15+ years inside a major automotive OEM, specialising in product planning, pricing and vehicle strategy.
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