Beyond conventional luxury: the GAC M8 Master PHEV experience

Life is sometimes full of little surprises and while being picked up in a GAC M8 Master probably wouldn’t have been my ultimate choice for a first chauffeured drive to dinner, the end result was rather pleasant.

Yes I know, not many people have heard about GAC, never mind the M8 Master, but trust me, once you see it, you won’t forget it. 

GAC is the fifth largest automotive retailer in China and GAC Motor’s investments in South Africa are backed by the global Salvador Caetano group.

They currently have 28 dealerships and intend to grow their footprint to 40 this year.

GAC has positioned the M8 Master not as a people mover, but as a premium alternative to full-size luxury SUVs.

And as a plug-in hybrid, it’s also the only van locally that can boast being a new-energy vehicle (NEV).

Exterior

To say the design is bold and head-turning is somewhat of an understatement.

The insanely oversized chrome grille hits you between the eyes like a Kagiso Rabada fast ball and leaves a similar impression.

Flanked by intricate LED lights and at over 5.2 metres long, it’s tall, wide and unapologetically in your face, leaning more toward executive transport than family shuttle.

Whether it’s something that you can live with depends on your taste, but it certainly doesn’t disappear into traffic.

Interior

While the exterior may raise a few eyebrows, the M8 Master’s interior is more Emirate Airlines first class than average people mover.

This is clearly the focus of the vehicle, and GAC has aimed it squarely at the rear passenger experience.

Dual power sliding doors make access easy, while extensive sound insulation and laminated glass create an almost silent cabin at highway speeds.

The second-row captains' seats are undoubtedly the headline act. Individually adjustable, heated, ventilated and fitted with multi-point massage, they felt very much like airline business-class chairs which my partner and I fully tested.

There’s a strong emphasis on comfort rather than configurability. It’s a vehicle designed to be sat in more than driven.

Material quality felt premium with semi-aniline leather, solid switchgear, ambient lighting and panoramic sunroof providing the cabin with a very upmarket look and feel. 

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel, paired with a 10.1-inch central infotainment screen. There’s wireless charging and USB-C ports across all rows to keep your devices charged while you speak to your attorneys and accountants when putting together another deal.

Engine and powertrain

Under the bonnet there’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a plug-in hybrid system, producing a combined 274 kW. Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and while outright acceleration isn’t the point of the vehicle, the 0–100 km/h time is quoted at 8.8 seconds.

From our pews in the second row it certainly felt like the M8 Master glided smoothly through the traffic switching between the electric motor and ICE engine. 

GAC claims a combined driving range of more than 1,000 kilometres, with up to 106 kilometres available on electric power alone.

That means many daily commutes could be handled without using fuel at all, provided the battery is kept charged. For a vehicle of this size, the claimed 8.8 l/100km consumption is respectable.

Safety

Safety and driver assistance include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.

The addition of rear windscreen airbags and long curtain airbags shows genuine effort rather than a box-ticking exercise.

Level 2+ semi-autonomous functionality, including traffic-jam assist and automated parking, rounds out the tech offering.

Verdict

At R1,499,900, the GAC M8 Master sits in unique territory.

That price puts it up against well-specced luxury SUVs from established brands, rather than traditional luxury MPVs like Mercedes-Benz and Toyota.

The M8 doesn’t try to be sporty or versatile, it’s more about comfort, quietness and making long journeys feel effortless.

For buyers who value space and rear-seat comfort above badge prestige, the GAC M8 Master makes a surprisingly strong case.

It’s not a vehicle that will suit everyone, but it feels well executed and refreshingly clear about what it wants to be.