New Aion UT is a small EV with big ideas

Aion is still a new name to most UK drivers, but the brand isn’t planning on wasting any time when it comes to making an impression. After launching the Aion V SUV earlier this year, the company is already back with its second model. The new Aion UT is a compact electric hatchback that promises C‑segment space and refinement in a B‑segment footprint.

It’s clear the Aion UT is intended to shake up the small‑EV market with something that feels bigger, better equipped and more grown‑up than the usual supermini offerings.

The headline figures are strong enough to support that case too.

A 60kWh battery delivers around 268 miles of range, which places it comfortably amongst the longer standard ranges in its class, if not the longest. Rapid charging from 30–80% in just 24 minutes means quick top‑ups on longer journeys, and the 201bhp motor gives the UT a genuinely punchy feel, sprinting from 0–62mph in 7.3 seconds.

For a compact EV, it’s one of the nippiest around, and it’s been engineered specifically for UK roads with revised springs, dampers and anti‑roll bar tuning. That’s not something you normally see at this end of the market.

Chinese built, Milan styling

Styling is another area where Aion has gone its own way, with the UT being designed in Milan specifically for European tastes.

It has a distinctive look with owl‑inspired headlights, a neat 2×2 “ice cube” DRL cluster, and it comes in a choice of five exterior paint options. The Aion UT is friendly without being quirky, modern without being fussy, and it stands out in a segment where many EVs can look a bit anonymous. It’s also practical in ways that matter day‑to‑day, with 24 different storage areas dotted around the cabin and a layout that feels intuitive from the moment you get in.

Inside, the UT feels more like a family hatchback than a supermini

The cabin is spacious, well‑finished and packed with features you’d usually expect in something far more expensive.

A huge 14.6‑inch touchscreen, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and a 360° surround‑view camera all come as standard, and the boot is a genuinely impressive 440 litres — bigger than many family-sized EVs. Aion has clearly aimed to make the UT feel premium without pushing the price into premium territory, and it works. Even the optional Premium Pack adds features normally reserved for higher‑end models, including a panoramic roof, powered tailgate and ventilated driver’s seat.

One of the most attractive selling points, though, is the Aion Great 8 Promise.

Every UT comes with an eight‑year warranty, eight years’ servicing, eight years’ roadside assistance, and MOTs are also covered until the car is eight years old. Crucially, this is VIN‑locked, so it stays with the car even after it changes hands when the lease period ends.

For anyone thinking about long‑term running costs or future resale value - especially in terms of fleet leasing - the Aion UT delivers one of the strongest warranty and support packages in the UK.

The small‑EV market is getting crowded, with new arrivals like the Renault 5 and Citroën e‑C3 joining established favourites such as the MG4 and VW ID.3. It’s about to get a little more crowded. Aion says that order books for the new UT open in September, with first deliveries arriving in October.

The Aion UT brings something different to the mix though: big‑car space, big‑car features and big‑car refinement, all wrapped up in a compact, affordable package. It’s a small EV that acts big, and for many lease drivers, that’s exactly what they’ve been waiting for.