Aion UT: BYD DOLPHIN’S Direct Competitor – Can It Become a Hit?

[XNmotors News]

GAC Aion is starting its 2025 journey with a compact vehicle.

Image Source: GAC Official

On January 6, the Aion UT officially entered the presale phase. This new model comes in three versions, with presale prices ranging from ¥89,800 to ¥109,800.

Image Source: GAC Official

Positioning and Competitors

With promotional pricing starting as low as ¥88,800, the Aion UT directly targets the market segment of BYD’s Dolphin, which is priced between ¥99,800 and ¥129,800 for its 2025 models.

While the Aion UT aims for affordability, its marketing and design are inspired by the iconic MINI, a luxurious benchmark in the compact car market. However, given MINI’s premium price point, the Aion UT’s true competition in the market is BYD Dolphin.

Image Source: GAC Official

Size and Dimensions

The Aion UT measures 4270mm in length, 1850mm in width, and 1575mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2750mm. Comparatively, the BYD Dolphin measures 4125mm in length, 1770mm in width, and 1570mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2700mm.

The Aion UT slightly exceeds the Dolphin in most dimensions, except for width, giving it a competitive edge within compact car size constraints.

Image Source: GAC Official

Performance and Range

Equipped with a Quark motor providing a maximum output of 100kW, the Aion UT is designed for endurance rather than peak performance. It features a 44.12kWh battery, delivering a range of 420km.

In comparison, the BYD Dolphin’s standard models offer a maximum output of 70kW and 180Nm torque. The higher-end “Knight Edition” boasts 150kW of power but costs ¥20,000–40,000 more than the Aion UT.

In terms of range, both the Aion UT and the Dolphin offer 420km for their standard versions. However, the Dolphin’s “Knight Edition” extends its range to 520km but at a significantly higher price.

Features and Configuration

Safety

The BYD Dolphin “Knight Edition” is equipped with advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, intelligent high-beam control, and comprehensive airbag coverage.

The Aion UT’s top-tier “420 Intelligence Premium Edition” offers comparable safety features, including V-shaped side curtain airbags, 540-degree panoramic cameras, and L2-level driver assistance.

Its unique safety highlights, such as a 5-axis roll-over airbag controller and automatic emergency braking (AEB), suggest a focus on innovative safety measures.

Image Source: GAC Official

Comfort and Convenience

The BYD Dolphin “Knight Edition” provides conveniences like electric front seat adjustments, seat ventilation/heating, wireless phone charging, automatic headlights, and rear privacy glass.

The Aion UT “420 Intelligence Premium Edition” includes electric seat adjustments, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, and a smart electric tailgate. However, details on other comfort features like wireless charging and heated seats are yet to be revealed.

Image Source: GAC Official

Smart Technology

The Dolphin “Knight Edition” features a DiLink 12.8-inch adaptive rotating touchscreen, a 5-inch fully digital dashboard, and BYD’s smart cloud services.

In contrast, the Aion UT “420 Intelligence Premium Edition” offers a larger 14.6-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch dashboard screen. It also supports OTA updates and offers multiple connectivity options, including CarPlay, CarLink, and HUAWEI HiCar. Combined with L2-level driving assistance, the Aion UT shows a clear focus on smart and connected features, even at a lower price point.

Image Source: GAC Official

Verdict

While the Aion UT is still in presale and some features remain undisclosed, it already showcases advantages in size, power, and cost-efficiency compared to the BYD Dolphin. In terms of safety, comfort, and smart technology, it competes head-on with BYD’s offerings, with potential to outshine in certain areas like intelligent features.

The Aion UT’s affordability, coupled with competitive configurations and performance, positions it as a strong contender in the compact EV market for 2025.

[News Article/ XNmotors Sarah ]