7.8/10

Aion Y Plus

Name: Aion Y Plus 490 Premium Review - 100% Electric SUV, Widest in Class, Now with CarPlay Support
Item: Aion Y Plus
Rating: 7.8
Author: spin9

2026 Suv · ฿749,000 · 7.6/10 avg from 3 reviews

spin9

1.1M subscribers·2 years ago·TH

Aion Y Plus 490 Premium Review - 100% Electric SUV, Widest in Class, Now with CarPlay Support

[spin9] รีวิว AION Y Plus 490 Premium - SUV ไฟฟ้า 100% กว้างที่สุดในคลาส รองรับ CarPlay แล้ว

I'm genuinely impressed by how much space Aion packed into this thing, it's genuinely the roomiest family hauler in its class and the practicality is hard to ignore. It's not a sports car and doesn't pretend to be, but as a comfortable, easy-to-drive family EV at this price point, it's a genuinely compelling package.

First Impressions

Walking up to the Aion Y Plus, I immediately knew this was an EV thanks to the clean, sealed front fascia. There's no pretense here—no unnecessary grille, no fake air intakes. The design is straightforward and actually quite striking with those horizontal light signatures running across the front and rear. It's functional design that doesn't apologize for being practical.

What caught me off guard is how they've engineered the proportions. The hood is deliberately short, which seems unusual at first, but it's brilliant—that space goes straight to the cabin instead. The sloped windscreen and triangular rear-quarter windows hint at something special inside.

Space That Actually Amazes

Opening those massive rear doors and sliding in is where this car reveals its party trick. The interior width is genuinely shocking. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've never seen an EV in this size class offer so much usable space. The floor is completely flat with no transmission tunnel—2,750 millimeters of wheelbase translated into a rear bench that doesn't feel cramped or compromise the driver's seat position.

The real magic is in the numbers: you can sit in the back without anyone's knees touching, shuffle between seats freely, and still have room to move. Families with kids will appreciate that this isn't a squeeze. The panoramic glass roof running the full length only amplifies the sense of openness. Even the cargo area impresses at 405 liters, with a clever adjustable floor that lets you choose between a flat load surface or a deeper well for loose items.

Comfort and Convenience

This Trim adds 24 equipment upgrades over the base model, and the smart ones stand out. The dual-zone climate control is genuinely cold—aggressively cold even at the lowest fan setting. Seat ventilation actually matters in Thailand's heat, and the power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support make longer drives painless.

The 15-inch tablet-style infotainment screen is responsive and easy to navigate, though the promised Apple CarPlay update hasn't arrived yet. Connectivity features like V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) that lets you power external devices at 3.3kW, wireless phone charging, and USB ports throughout the cabin round out the practical touches. You won't find cutting-edge tech here, but you'll find the features that actually matter for daily use.

Driving Experience

The chassis is tuned for comfort and accessibility, not thrills. This isn't a criticism—it's a deliberate choice. I drove it with Regen braking set to low, which means lifting off the accelerator feels linear and predictable rather than grabby. If you want more aggressive energy recovery, the i-Pedal mode is there, letting you control speed almost entirely from the accelerator.

With 204 horsepower and 225 newton-meters of torque, acceleration is adequate and smooth. You won't get that push-back-in-seat feeling, but merging and overtaking feel effortless. The Adaptive Cruise Control handles traffic stress well, and the steering is light and precise without demanding attention. The suspension is compliant without feeling soft—there's enough composure in corners to feel confident, but the focus is clearly on isolation from road imperfections rather than engaging handling. Visibility is exceptional thanks to that aggressively sloped windscreen and side windows that provide sight lines most SUVs can't match.

Practicality for Thai Life

The 63.2 kWh battery claims 490 kilometers on the optimistic NEDC cycle, but real-world usage will likely yield around 400 kilometers depending on driving style and conditions. DC charging tops out at 80kW, which takes the battery to 80 percent reasonably quickly. The AC charger is 7kW, suitable for home charging overnight.

The warranty is solid: eight years or 200,000 kilometers for the battery and eight years or 160,000 kilometers for the car itself. The V2L capability means you can power your laptop or camping equipment during power outages or camping trips—a practical feature for Thailand's climate and lifestyle. The flat floor when rear seats fold means sleeping in the vehicle is genuinely feasible for weekend getaways.

What Needs Work

The most glaring omission is the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on arrival. Aion promises the updates by mid-year, but as tested, you're relying on the built-in navigation. The USB ports should be entirely USB-C by now, not a mix of Type-A slots. The rear window lacks a wiper, which is a practical miss for a family vehicle in tropical climates.

Charging speeds are adequate but not class-leading for 2024. The lack of sportiness might disappoint driving enthusiasts, though it wasn't promised in the first place.

Final Verdict

The Aion Y Plus 490 Premium is a genuinely smart purchase if your priority is space, practicality, and no-fuss daily driving. It won't thrill you on a winding road, but it will carry your family in genuine comfort without the premium pricing of competitors. This is an EV designed for how people actually use cars—hauling families, running errands, charging at home, and occasionally taking longer trips.

Go test-drive one if you're considering an electric family SUV. The space alone will surprise you, and the easy driving dynamics mean even less-confident drivers will feel immediately comfortable. For Thailand's market, where practicality and family-first priorities dominate purchasing decisions, this hits the mark.

Pros

Interior space is genuinely the widest in class with completely flat rear floor
Exceptional air conditioning performance even at lowest fan speeds
Excellent outward visibility with minimal blind spots
Easy-to-drive chassis tuned for families not performance
Adaptive Cruise Control and lane-keeping assist included
Wireless phone charger and seat ventilation added to this trim
Spacious 405-liter cargo area with adjustable floor
Welcome seat feature makes entry and exit effortless

Cons

No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto yet despite promised July update
Only basic USB-A ports, should be all USB-C by now
No rear wiper on electric hatching model
Regenerative braking can feel abrupt on high setting if not adjusted
Charging DC speed maxes out at 80kW which is modest by modern standards

Verdict

7.8/10

“This is the car to test-drive if you need maximum space and comfort for your family without the premium pricing. It's not thrilling to drive but it's honest, capable, and refreshingly practical for Thailand's market.”