The Aion UT electric supermini has received its final UK pricing and specifications, with the car making its public debut at the British Motor Show in Farnborough over the weekend. The second model from the new-entrant Chinese manufacturer lands at … when sales begin next month, positioning it as a direct challenger to the Renault 5 E-Tech and the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo.
That starting figure puts the Italian-designed UT at a premium against established rivals in the fast-growing electric supermini segment, including the MG4 EV Urban and Geely EX2. It’s a crowded field, and Aion is leaning heavily on standard equipment and range to justify the higher price of entry.
Standard kit and the Premium Pack
Every UT comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable heated front seats, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A 14.6-inch central touchscreen and 360-degree surround-view parking cameras are also included as standard.
For an additional £1,200, taking the total to £30,150, buyers can add a Premium Pack. That brings a panoramic glass sunroof with an electric shade, electric folding door mirrors, wireless smartphone charging, an electric tailgate, and a ventilated driver’s seat.
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The generous specification is paired with a practical 440-litre boot, which Aion hopes will make the UT attractive against cheaper contenders. It’s a reasonable amount of space for the class, and the kit list does read well on paper.
Range and UK-specific tuning
Only one powertrain is offered, built around a 60kWh battery pack. That delivers a claimed … range on a full charge, which beats both the Renault 5 E-Tech and the Geely EX2 on paper.
Ahead of the UK launch, Aion has retuned the UT for British roads, with bespoke springs, dampers, and bump-stops for the suspension. That sort of localised development work isn’t always a given from new entrants, so it’s worth watching how the car actually rides once it reaches reviewers.
Every UT also comes with an eight-year warranty, free servicing, free roadside assistance, and free MOTs as part of the company’s ‘Great 8’ package. That package is a meaningful part of the value story here, since it reduces some of the long-term ownership costs that often catch buyers out with electric vehicles.
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For shoppers, the higher upfront price comes with a longer list of included features than most rivals offer even as options. Whether that trade-off works depends on how much value a buyer places on those extras versus a lower monthly payment elsewhere. The range advantage is also worth noting, though real-world figures will almost certainly differ from the official number.
What Aion says about the UT
“The Aion UT is a supermini with class-leading performance, quality, space and premium features, continuing Aion’s work in helping customers see things differently,” said Jon Wakefield, managing director of Aion Auto UK.
“Not only does the UT have an impressive list of standard kit, but it also includes equipment that isn’t available on competitor models. And with the Aion Great 8 Promise included with every car, it exemplifies how we’re setting a new standard in the market.”
The UT follows the larger Aion V, which was the brand’s first electric model in the UK. Aion is another Chinese manufacturer testing the waters in Europe, and the supermini segment is a tough place to start given the depth of established competition. The car’s pricing strategy is a gamble, but the spec sheet gives it a fighting chance.