What Interior and Exterior Features Make the GAC GS8 Stand Out in the 7-Seat SUV Segment?

Saudi Arabia: Glancing at the GS8 in a Riyadh showroom, it is easy to notice how modern it looks and that it appears more premium than a budget SUV. What comes out clearly is the large and purposeful proportions, the wide and commanding grille, and the LED headlight signature, which is truly distinctive. Similarly, the cabin comes across as high quality and spacious, and the huge infotainment screen prompts most first-time visitors to check the price again. This is where the GS8 makes its strongest statement and deserves serious consideration.

The Exterior

The GS8's exterior was clearly influenced by European design elements, something not many Chinese brands follow. The Flying Dynamics front grille dominates the nose, flanked by T-shaped LED headlights that include adaptive lighting. The headlights turn as you steer, which is a feature you would normally find on cars priced much higher. The body is substantial at 4,980 mm long and 1,950 mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2,920 mm that signals real third-row practicality before you even open the door.​

Exterior Specification	Detail
Length	4,980 mm
Width	1,950 mm
Height	1,780 mm
Wheelbase	2,920 mm
Wheels	19-inch (GL), 20-inch (GT/GX)
Roof	Panoramic Sunroof (GT/GX)
Tailgate	Power Automatic
Taillights	3D LED, Dual Exhausts

The 20-inch alloy wheels on the upper trims are very well sized, easily filling the arches rightfully. The dual exhaust tips are functional, not decorative fakes, a detail that sounds small but signals a level of honesty in design that matters when you pay closer attention.​

Inside

The GS8's cabin is built around technology and comfort. The centerpiece is a 14.6-inch HD touchscreen on the GT and GX trims, one of the largest in the segment, paired with a separate instrument cluster display. The interface is responsive, and the system supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.

• 3-zone automatic climate control with individual temperature settings for front, middle, and third rows
• Ambient lighting with multiple colour settings across the cabin
• Wireless charging pad for the front row
• 10-speaker audio system (GT/GX)
• AR Head-Up Display (HUD) projects navigation and speed data onto the windscreen
• Nappa leather upholstery across all three rows on upper trims
• Electrically adjustable front seats with driver memory function
• Ventilated front seats on GX trim

The ambient lighting is something families from Jeddah and Riyadh who drive at night will genuinely enjoy. The cabin feels different after dark, less like a car and more like a lounge.​

And The Third Row 

Being a family SUV, space matters a lot, and the third row in most 7-seaters is where ambition meets reality. In the GS8, the story is better than average for the class but not perfect. Adults can sit there for reasonable periods; the 2,920 mm wheelbase does its job, but for very tall passengers on long trips, the second row is the better choice. For children, the third row is genuinely comfortable. The seatbacks fold flat using a power mechanism on upper trims, and the fold is 60/40 for flexibility.​

Storage 

GAC claims over 30 storage spaces throughout the cabin. That includes door pockets large enough for 1-liter bottles, a deep center console, a cooled glovebox, and generous cup holders in all three rows. The boot, with the third row in use, offers around 340 liters of space. With the third row folded, that expands to around 820 liters. With both rear rows down, the GS8 opens up to a claimed 1,859 liters, useful for anyone who has ever tried to load camping equipment, sports bags, or shopping for a family of seven into a single car; it's quite big and practical, to say the least.​

Conclusion 

The GS8's interior and exterior design make a strong case that a premium cabin does not necessarily cost top prices. In fact, the GAC GS8 is trying to convince you otherwise, which it does rather well across all the key aspects of the GS8. Hence, for Saudi families spending time inside a car for hours on long trips, the quality of the environment around them matters, and the GS8 gets this right pretty well.​

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