GAC GS3

The GAC GS3 is said to hold up to five passengers. It also offers ample head and legroom space, to begin with. However, knowing this vehicle is smaller than the usual SUVs out there, the shoulder room is potentially tight-fitted in the second row. But to be fair, most of the time you wouldn’t fit three people at the back. Although this vehicle might be subcompact it does not really mean that there is limited cabin space. On the contrary, it has a capacious interior and cargo space. By default, the trunk capacity is 370L with the potential to boost to 780L when you fold down the rear backrests. 

Except for some leather and faux leather trimmings located on the range-topper, the GAC GS3 comes in a black interior theme that is mainly decked up in soft plastics. In comparison to the lower-end variant, it has a rather fabric upholstery. 

The design of this vehicle follows the brand’s blueprint, particularly the GS4’s. It features a sporty and stylish aerodynamic look. The GS3 has sweepback halogen headlights with LED DRLs that are flanked by a broad chrome grille upfront. As the GS3 has two variants, the lower-end has 16-inch wheels while the upper-end has an 18-inch. The taillights of this vehicle are like the shape of the number eight and coupled with LED lights. Both of the variants measure 4,350 x 1,825 x 1655mm and are available in five different colors: brown, black, yellow, red, and white.

This SUV equips the same platform as the GA3 sedan, which then again has not yet been made available in the local market, with twisting beam suspension on the rear end, and McPherson struts independent suspension on the front. This model range is also armed with an eight-inch TFT infotainment system along with Bluetooth wireless connectivity features. Do not worry if you don’t fancy the BT technology, there are still four USB ports that exist in this vehicle. 

For those people who find it hard to drive along the streets of Manila, the GS3 made it useful to weave around traffic with its subcompact size, and multi-function steering wheel. You will also enjoy driving this model range as it is more controlled and less bouncy. This vehicle also offers automatic climate control, cruise control, a wide-angle rear-view camera, and more. 

With what was said earlier, under the hood of this fella can either give you a lower-end of 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated gasoline machinery that makes about 113 hp and 150 Nm of torque or a higher-end of a 1.3-litre turbocharged gasoline engine which gives out 136 hp and 202 Nm of torque. With a 6-speed Aisin Automatic Transmission, both options direct the power to the front tires. And in terms of emission, these are Euro-5 compliant gasoline engine choices and are incorporated with an electric power-assisted steering wheel.

When we talk about safety, the GS3 offers both the variants dual front airbags, five 3-point seatbelts with seatbelt notice for the passengers riding on the front, ISOFIX child seat tethers, impact sensing door locks, electronic stability control, anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), traction control system (TCS), hydraulic brake assist (HBA), hill-start hold control (HHC), and hill descent control (HDC).

The upper variant equips an additional front side airbag, an electronic parking brake that comes with an auto-hold as well as a tire pressure monitoring system for the extra price.

If you are looking for a subcompact SUV tailored for the streets and traffic of Manila, this may be the one for you. Not only is the GS3 considered a game-changer due to its features, looks, and justifiable price range, but it also fits the day-to-day commute here in the Philippines. Moreso, with it being economically efficient.