Aion UT: £28,950 EV Takes Aim at Renault 5

Chinese car maker Aion is about to launch its second car in the UK — and it is aiming squarely at the Renault 5. The Aion UT, an electric supermini, opens for orders this September ahead of first UK deliveries in October, with a single-spec price of £28,950, according to Parkers (updated 16 September 2026). The headline numbers are competitive: a 204hp electric motor, a 60kWh battery pack, 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and a claimed range of up to 268 miles. That puts it in the same ballpark as the MINI Electric and Volkswagen's forthcoming ID.Polo, though it undercuts neither of them on price — the basic Renault 5 still starts at just £21,495. Aion's pitch is value rather than outright cheapness. Like its larger V SUV sibling, the UT promises an upmarket experience at an affordable price, and the standard equipment list is generous: a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, heated front seats and a 360-degree parking camera all come as standard. An optional Premium Pack adds a power-operated tailgate, a ventilated driver's seat and a panoramic sunroof — kit that even the poshest small electric cars struggle to match at this price. The single-trim, single-battery strategy is a well-trodden path for Chinese manufacturers entering the UK — it keeps things simple for buyers and dealers alike. Your only decision is whether to add the Premium Pack. The UT's arrival is another sign of how quickly China's car makers are colonising the UK's affordable EV segment. With MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and now Aion all fighting for the same buyers, competition — and choice — has never been stronger. What it means for UK drivers: if you are shopping for a small electric car, the field just got wider. The UT will not be the cheapest option, but its equipment levels and 268-mile claimed range make it a serious alternative to the Renault 5 and MINI Electric. As ever with a new brand, check servicing, warranty terms and dealer coverage before you commit.

Aion UT: £28,950 Electric Supermini Takes Aim at the Renault 5 — Orders Open in September