GAC Empow Family Buyer Guide: A Sporty Sedan That Works for the Whole Family?

Inside, the Empow’s interior feels more premium than its price suggests, with soft-touch materials on the dash and doors. The front sports seats offer good lateral support but may feel firm for longer journeys. Rear passengers get a contoured bench with decent cushioning, though the sloping roofline can compromise headroom for taller teens. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on most trims, and rear air vents ensure the second row stays comfortable. Road noise is well suppressed at city speeds, but coarse highway surfaces transmit some tyre roar into the cabin.

Rear legroom is generous for the segment, easily accommodating two adults or three children in a pinch. The middle seat is less hospitable due to the transmission tunnel and firmer cushion, so it’s best suited for occasional use. Two ISOFIX points with top tethers are easy to access for child seats. The boot offers an average volume, enough for a stroller plus grocery bags, but the narrow opening makes loading bulky items tricky. Underfloor storage is limited to a space-saver spare or tyre repair kit, depending on market. Interior storage includes a decent glovebox, door bins that hold a water bottle, and a small centre console tray for phones and wallets.

The Empow’s tight turning radius and light steering make it easy to manoeuvre in crowded parking lots. The raised beltline and thick rear pillars create noticeable blind spots, but the standard reversing camera and rear parking sensors (on most trims) mitigate this. Around town, the petrol engine’s low-end torque feels adequate for stop-and-go traffic, though the dual-clutch transmission can hesitate at low speeds, leading to a jerky start. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is available on higher trims, which reduces driver fatigue during rush hour.

On the highway, the Empow settles into a comfortable cruise. The suspension is biased toward sporty handling, so it can feel firm over expansion joints and broken pavement, but the body stays composed through long sweeping curves. Seat comfort is acceptable for a few hours, though the lack of lumbar adjustment on lower trims may cause fatigue. Cabin noise at highway speeds is moderate; wind noise is well contained, but tyre roar is present. The boot can swallow a family’s weekend luggage, including a large suitcase and duffel bags, but the liftover height is high.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen interface is logically laid out, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The graphics are crisp, but response times can lag occasionally. The digital instrument cluster offers clear readouts. Safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and traffic-sign recognition on most trims. The forward-collision warning can be overly sensitive in stop-and-go traffic, but the system is adjustable. The 360-degree camera (available on higher trims) is a boon for tight parking. Child locks and power windows one-touch up/down all around add convenience for family use.