Fast Facts
| Features | Details |
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder Petrol |
| Power | 130 kW |
| Torque | 270 Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission |
| Claimed Fuel Consumption | 6.2 l/100 km |
| Actual Fuel Consumption | ± 7.0 l/100 km |
| Price as tested | from R359,900 |
| Safety Features | 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating, Hill Start Control, Rear Parking Sensors |
| Service Plan and Warranty | 2-year/30,000km Service Plan, 5-year /150,000km vehicle warranty, Lifetime Engine Warranty for the first owner |
| Service interval | 15,000 km |
Pros
- Sharp styling that stands out
- Well-appointed interior
- A decent chassis
Cons
- Gearbox needs further calibration
- Infotainment screen text sizing is tiny, and a lack of screen partitions for vehicle shortcuts
Something you don't see all too often from the Chinese Motoring front these days is the introduction of hatchbacks. Though one might regard the GAC Emzoom as a crossover, it looks more like a compact hatchback. We've already seen the introduction of the Emzoom last year, but this time we have the Nova variant, which serves as the entry point into GAC ownership. The price is lovely, but is the car up to snuff?
Styling
The design language for the Emzoom is dubbed 'Star Diamond Shadow'. We can see the diamond aspect in the sharp contours, body creases, and plenty of obtuse and acute angles. The lighting signatures follow the same philosophy, and this is where the star aspect of the LED clusters comes into play. Rather than curvy, the Emzoom is angled. The door handles are hidden, but I'd say traditional door handles would be more ergonomic, since these don't pop out electronically. I'd argue I prefer the front end here versus the other variants on offer. Gracing the corners are 17-inch anthracite wheels, which are refreshing to see and are not diamond-cut. I'd forgo the plastic body cladding and faux exhaust housings, but I have to say it is pretty to look at.
Space and Comfort
The Emzoom Nova's interior, for the price, feels well-appointed. It's all solidly put together and has a premium feel. Though there's no leather upholstered steering wheel, the urethane finish here is good. The seating is a mix of cloth and faux leather, with some decent plush, though I'd do without the blue colour, which is a preference here. As far as roominess goes, it's as you'd expect, with a good amount of space in the front and rear. Even with the front seat leaned back to an extreme, there is still adequate rear legroom. Regarding boot space, you have 425 litres to play with.
There are buttons and rotary dials for HVAC and volume control, which is welcome. On the infotainment front, there is a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the screen is crisp, the font size and graphics are rather tiny, which can make operation irksome at times. I don't recall seeing a settings option to adjust this. Also, screen partitions to vehicle shortcuts would benefit this system. Other than that, for the price, it's an okay effort.
Performance
Giving the Emzoom some shove is a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine making 130 kW and 270 Nm. That's all channelled to the front wheels via a 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission. The engine has some shunt!
The Drive
The 1.5-litre engine certainly has pep, but what lets the powertrain down is the transmission. In traffic, it is too eager to get up and go, and the typical characteristic of Dual Clutch Transmissions is an initial delay as the clutches engage upon takeoff. Some calibration is required to smooth out this issue. While in motion, the transmission is agreeable enough. The chassis, however, feels nice to pilot. The Emzoom feels agile for a crossover. Steering feel is decent, and the ride quality is supple.
Fuel Consumption
Claimed fuel consumption is 6.2 L/100 km. In our testing, which was mostly urban driving, we hovered around the 7.0 L/100 km mark.
Safety
ASEAN NCAP Rating
★★★★★
Notable Safety Includes
- Rear parking sensors
- ISOFIX
- Hill-Start Hold
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Weirdly, there is no reverse camera, which, at this price range, tends to be a standard feature on the Nova's competition.
Price
| Price | Model |
| GAC GS3 Emzoom 1.5T Comfort Collection | from R359 900 |
| GAC GS3 Emzoom 1.5T Nova (tested) | from R359 900 |
| GAC GS3 Emzoom 1.5T Executive Collection | from R379 900 |
| GAC GS3 Emzoom 1.5T Executive | from R449 900 |
| GAC GS3 Emzoom 1.5TR Style | from R499 900 |
The Emzoom purchase price includes a 2-year/30,000 km Service Plan, 5-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and Lifetime Engine Warranty for the first owner.
*Pricing correct at time of publishing and is subject to change without prior notice.
Rivals
- Kia Sonet
- Suzuki Fronx
- Renault Kiger
- Jaecoo J5
- Nissan Magnite
The Verdict
As far as entry-level variants go, the Emzoom Nova, for the price, certainly has something going for it. If it wasn't for the transmission and the minor niggles I had with the infotainment and some minor refinements, it's close to a knock-out of the park. For now, though, if you want something stylish that won't break the bank, it's not a bad option to consider.
