THE compact crossover SUV segment is a very crowded market, with competitors that come in various shapes, performance, and country of origin. Therefore, this is a segment that’s very competitive and thus hard for brands to stand out. That’s where the GAC Emkoo comes in. As a way to highlight the strengths of this compact crossover, GAC Motor Philippines organized a relaxing media drive in which the curated destinations were a perfect match for this stylish SUV.

And indeed, stylish is the word that comes to mind when seeing the Emkoo in person. When was the last time you saw a vehicle at any price point that looks like a concept car? Automakers often disappoint us with radical concept cars that when put into production, become heavily watered down. But that’s not the case with the Emko. It’s a futuristic, rakishly styled compact SUV — one that easily stands out regardless if you choose the base GE or the range-topping GL. Sure, there are differences in wheel designs to separate the two variants, but even if you pick the lower-spec one, it will still easily stand out too.

Likewise, the interior comes with an aesthetic that matches its concept car exterior. There are plenty of surfaces and textures and every single area of the interior leaves plenty of room for exploration and curiosity. Ditto the in-car tech, which consists of a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.1-inch screen, but the way the controls are laid out can intimidate the driver initially. Once settled in, however, these quirky controls, such as the cylindrical knob on the passenger side to control the temperature become easy to understand.

Now, as for the driving experience, highways are the GAC Emkoo’s natural habitat, because of how the suspension is well damped and how the nicely cohesive chassis deals with imperfections on the road. There are a bit of vibrations on the top portion of the vehicle due to the large panoramic glass roof, but otherwise, the structure is solid and rigid enough to deal with most of the imperfections on the road.

And indeed comfort is the Emkoo’s primary strength. Whereas the Empow I reviewed last time was very sporty and agile to drive, the Emkoo is on the opposite end. The Emkoo doesn’t handle as tidily as the Empow when we put it through the twisties, but compared to the rest of the segment, it’s pretty much what you’d expect in a compact SUV. It’s not a bad car to drive, mind you, but if you want a car that’s focused on comfort, then this is for you.

Road and wind noise suppression is excellent, and just like in the Empow, the 177-hp 1.5-liter turbo and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) are well-tuned. The key to the DCT’s smoothness is that it shifts a bit slower than other DCTs, but that’s fine. The most important part is its intention, which, along with the engine, is to deliver smooth power as opposed to neck-snapping acceleration. Fuel economy is good, too, averaging at around 8 to 12 kpl in mixed city and highway conditions.

Topping it all off was a sumptuous lunch at Marcia Adams in Tagaytay before heading back to Manila, which along with the greek food and the large steak we got, served as a perfect complement to the Emkoo’s stylish and wellcurated driving experience.

Priced from P1.298 million for the base GE and P1.448 million for the range-topping GL, no other compact SUV combines style, refined driving dynamics, and an affordable price tag like the GAC Emkoo.