Verdict
At RM116,800 for the Exclusive and RM126,800 for the Premium R, the RM10,000 step-up does not buy extra pace: both make 177 hp and 270 Nm, and claim 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h. It buys two additional curtain airbags, bringing the count from four to six, plus a panoramic glass roof, powered boot and auto parking. The Exclusive is 45 kg lighter and wears Continental UC6 SUV tyres; it is the sharper value call if those Premium R conveniences do not matter.
Pick the GAC GS3 Exclusive CKD if you want the same 177 hp, 270 Nm drivetrain and ADAS for RM10,000 less.
Pick the GAC GS3 Premium R CKD if six airbags, a panoramic glass roof, powered boot and auto parking justify the extra RM10,000.
Key differences
- Price: RM116,800 vs RM126,800
- Weight: 1,370 kg vs 1,415 kg
- Airbags: 4, including front side airbags, vs 6, adding side curtain airbags
- Parking sensors: no front and 3 rear vs 6 front and 6 rear
- Sunroof: none vs panoramic glass roof
Exclusive CKD
- RM10,000 lower purchase price
- 45 kg lighter at 1,370 kg
- Continental UC6 SUV tyres
- Four airbags versus six, with no side curtain airbags
- No panoramic glass roof or sunroof shade
- Manual boot and no auto parking
Premium R CKD
- Six airbags, including side curtain airbags
- Panoramic glass roof with sunroof shade and ambient lighting
- Powered boot, auto parking and six front and rear parking sensors
- Costs RM10,000 more
- 45 kg heavier at 1,415 kg
- Sentury Qirin 990 tyres instead of Continental UC6 SUV tyres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM116,800✓ | RM126,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 7.5 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,600 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | 1,415 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 341 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | Sentury Qirin 990 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side Airbags) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side Airbags, Side Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6-speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Cameras | Yes, with Surround View Cameras |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
Exclusive CKD vs Premium R CKD FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 Exclusive CKD or GAC GS3 Premium R CKD better?
The Premium R is better equipped, adding side curtain airbags, a panoramic glass roof, powered boot and auto parking. The Exclusive is the better-value choice because performance, drivetrain and core driver-assistance systems are the same.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 Premium R CKD costs RM10,000 more than the GAC GS3 Exclusive CKD: RM126,800 versus RM116,800.
Does the GAC GS3 Premium R CKD have extra safety equipment?
Yes. Both have autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and surround-view cameras, but the Premium R raises the airbag count from four to six with side curtain airbags and adds more parking sensors plus auto parking.
