Many consumers remain skeptical about fully switching to electric vehicles, unsure if they’re ready for the jump because of many reasons like range anxiety, EV charging infrastructure worries and probably exploding EVs.
Still, being stuck in Manila traffic burns the wallet, Hybrid car tech strikes the ideal middle ground between gas and electric. You get improved efficiency, new tech, and they even added new safety features.
What’s Different from the ICE Model?
New Engine + New Transmission
The GAC Emkoo Hybrid sports a 2.0 ATK hybrid engine and a dedicated Hybrid Transmission. With the electric motor, the total output is 238 PS and 300 Nm of torque.
Improved Safety Systems
New in the Emkoo hybrid Blind spot detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW).
As Pretty as Ever
The GAC Emkoo Hybrid retains all of the ICE variants’ visual appeal with the addition of the blue halo on the badge.
Better To Drive? Yes.
We spent a day with the GAC Emkoo with a quick run to Anya Resort in tagaytay. I took the wheel and immediately I noticed the throttle response being a lot smoother and forgiving. The jerkiness of the DCT of the ICE is gone.
It’s also a lot quieter since it wants to be in EV mode as much as possible, this equates to a more refined experience. But if you need more grunt, it still has plenty of that, there’s just a hint of the engine turning on when you floor it, it’s still a beast when it comes to overtaking.
The Emkoo hybrid is just as maneuverable, still great interior, same practicality.
How Much More Efficient Is It?
Admittedly, me and sir Botchi didn’t take note of our mileage or our L/kM score, traffic was bad and the distance was too short to make a definitive verdict. Plus we were enjoying ourselves and getting to know more of the car.
Still, GAC Philippines did a full test of it many months ago, and they managed a commendable 22.1 KM/L.
Run the numbers and you can go as far as 1,100 KM/L on a full tank (50L)
Worth the extra money then?
Yep, the GAC Emkoo hybrid is much nicer to drive, it’s up there with the most fuel-efficient crossovers, and with its long list of ADAS system, multimedia features, it even has additional safety features.
And Oh yeah, let’s not forget its coding exempted.
Job Done.
Watch our full review of the GAC Emkoo GL
