All-new GAC Emzoom Review – Dressed to impress, but does it convince?

Chinese brand GAC Motor recently entered the South African new-vehicle market with a brace of new models, one of which is the GS3 Emzoom. This new small crossover has a head-turning appearance, sporty packaging (in range-topping R-Style guise) and loads of features, but does it have the substance to back up the style?

To help us find out, Jacob Moshokoa puts the GS3 Emzoom to the test and discusses the newcomer's history, price, driving experience, interior features, practicality, performance and more.

GAC Motor South Africa has 13 active dealerships – based in Gauteng, KZN, Limpopo and Mpumalanga (November 2024), with more to come soon. The model comes standard with a 5-year/60 000 km service plan, as well as a 5-year/150 000 km warranty.

GAC GS3 Emzoom specs & prices in South Africa

0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Design
2:20 - The SA market
2:50 - How it drives
3:20 - Price
3:48 - Rivals
3:30 - Engine
4:45 - Transmission
5:40 - Safety features
6:45 - Exterior and Boot
9:50 - Interior
12:55 - Warranty and Service Plan
13:20 - Conclusion

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[Librajtc]

Here is my take on motor journalists and Chinese car reviews. They have a tendency to be biased compared to other brands. I'm gatvol also about comparisons made between old established brands and new brands when it comes to after sales service. It takes time to build an infrastructure in a country so give them time. The main issue in South Africa is that customers do not want to try new products. It's ironic people are brand conscious when it comes to certain things made in China ( cars) but tell that same person that his iPhone which cost $20 to make in China which he paid R40 000 for then they have no issue with China. How is it also possible that cars like Haval and Chery are huge sellers in South Africa but very few Chinese cars make it onto any "Car of the Year" lists. We all know that these so called competitions are biased towards established brands but do the maths and you see why it's not a fair comparison. It's like in "OLD" South Africa why was the government not building and investing in public transport or underground systems. It's because the old "verkramte" corrupt officials were getting kickbacks from the car manufacturers. So build roads and establish suburbs outside the city because you will need to buy a car to get to work. I think it's great that the Chinese are here and at least the established brands can now be more competitive with their prices. Look at trends people. VW one of the most expensive brands in in South Africa Germany are cutting jobs and downsizing back in Germany. Ask yourself why? These established brands have dominated for to long and now the Chinese have allowed more people to enter the car market with competitive prices. FYI - GAC has had a long affiliation with Honda & Toyota back in China long before 2008 so they not new to manufacturing. Their own brand came out in 2008. Let's be more open minded to new brands since it also allows people who can't afford those yuppie brands to get into the car market.

[MostafaSrag]

I just bought this car 2 days ago in Egypt and I must say it is amazing in everyway you can imagine

[PulM]

By the way; you're doing a great job Jacob! I started watching this channel avidly because of you!

[mpmaclou]

I appreciated your honest review, not just trying to 'sell' the car to us. We need more of that 🤙🏻

[esports_seb]

I’m an enzoom owner in santa cruz, Bolivia.
Simply love it!

[Terrorvilla]

Jacob said that there's nothing sporty about the car offering 130 kw but when the Ford Fiesta ST was driven we heard questions not statements with just 134 kw and 240 Nm that was meant to compete with the Polo GTi.. Why not pair it next to a T-Roc with the price and even offerings.

[cardettnangammbi]

All these cars are way overpriced for such small new untested and unknown vehicles. 500k you can get a very good used Kia Sportage CRDI, Sorento, Tucson, Honda CRV. Very reliable trouble free SUVs, you can even get them for 350k. The problem is our obsession with brand new vehicles.

[zeed]

LOVE the Looks! Great design. Would have preferred the orange bits in red perhaps. 130kw is plenty of Power vs VW Cross/Taigo at 85kw.
R550k ... I don't know. I'd go Mahindra 3X0 for R200k less. Yes, all is subjective 😀

[sfjvariety]

Salvador Caetano really needs to reconsider their pricing strategy for the GAC cars! Many people are going to sway towards the more established brands at the R500k+ mark. GAC's prices are simply not competitive at all! If they keep at it like this we might see the brand pulling out of South Africa sooner than expected

[hannesnell]

I like how it looks but it is out my price range so never an option

[raymondmahlake]

I like the sportiness of the design and the compact dimensions

[baloyi]

Jacob dat car looks good...im sure in person its more nicer looking

[Winterxreviews]

The front and side looks nice a very niche car for people who want to be different ko kasi

[isaacfit]

I love the entire package. Sure, the Chinese cars seem to be aiming to give us more than what we are used to at the cost of others things - and that’s cool. What makes this one stand out for me is that it is different…like far from what the other Chinese makes offer. It’s high time someone gave us something different

[andythomas]

Thank you for the great review. I completely agree. The car is too touchy on the accelerator from the robots and slow maneouvers and why I didn't go withe Haval years ago either.

[SibusisoMbethe]

Nice design. I belive is overpriced as a new kid in the block. It should have started pha ko R329k to get more customers.

[abdmab-mj]

Hi from Tunis Tunisia, very good presentation, I planned to buy one but the base model not the R type, because I don't like the orange inserts . Thanks again 👋

[AndreHerbst-oh]

I took a ride in one as a passenger, was very impressed with the quality and performance but the reality its out of my price range. With the state of the economy the south african citizens is more focused on reliable day to day transport.

[jeroenjansen]

Very confusing review! Is the ride quality good or not? Performance? 0 to 100 km/h? Priced similar to Tiggo 7. How does it handle bad roads?

[yissibiiyte]

I will always call it "Gak" as a single word.