GWM WEY G9 HEV Malaysia First Impressions: 5 Things We Noticed

On paper, the GWM WEY G9 Hi4 HEV has plenty going for it. A powerful hybrid system, seven seats, a luxurious cabin and, perhaps most importantly, no need to plug it in.

But specifications only tell part of the story. What happens when you take this sizeable luxury MPV up the winding roads of Genting Highlands?

Well, we recently had the opportunity to find out.

As part of GWM Malaysia's media drive on 29 October, we experienced the RM249,800 WEY G9 Hi4 HEV both behind the wheel and as passengers, giving us a chance to see how it performs from two very different perspectives.

From its surprisingly responsive acceleration to the indulgent second-row seating, there was plenty that caught our attention. The journey also gave us a better idea of what buyers might want to look out for during their own test drives.

Here are five things that stood out.

1. There's More Than Enough Power For A Big MPV

You might not expect a seven-seat luxury MPV to feel particularly eager when you step on the accelerator, but the WEY G9 HEV has a pleasant surprise in store.

Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged hybrid-dedicated petrol engine, working alongside GWM's Hi4 electrified all-wheel-drive system.

The setup incorporates a four-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with an integrated front electric motor, plus a separate electric motor at the rear.

Together, the system delivers a combined 358 PS and 782 Nm. That's a substantial amount of output for a vehicle designed primarily around passenger comfort.

And it certainly makes itself felt. During our drive, the WEY G9 HEV responded eagerly when we pressed the accelerator, making this sizeable MPV feel more energetic than its dimensions might suggest.

There's a satisfying sense of urgency when picking up speed, particularly for a vehicle that can accommodate seven occupants.

GWM claims the WEY G9 HEV can complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds. We didn't conduct a timed acceleration test, but the responsiveness we experienced certainly left a positive impression.

Of course, outright acceleration isn't necessarily the main priority for luxury MPV buyers. Still, having that power available can be reassuring, particularly when climbing hills or overtaking.

For us, the responsive power delivery was one of the more pleasant surprises of the Genting drive.

2. The Second Row Is Where You Really Want To Be

Now, this was easily one of our favourite parts of the WEY G9 HEV. With its 2+2+3 seating arrangement, the MPV offers a pair of individual captain seats in the second row. But these aren't just ordinary seats.

GWM calls them Zero Gravity seats, and they come with electric adjustment, leg rests, ventilation and a 10-point massage function.

Once you've settled into one of these seats, it's easy to understand why GWM places so much emphasis on the passenger experience.

With the seat reclined, leg rest extended and massage function activated, there's a genuine sense of being pampered.

Frankly, it makes you feel like a boss being chauffeured around.

And for an MPV aimed at buyers who value passenger comfort, that's exactly the kind of experience you'd want.

There's just one thing we noticed. The massage function is much easier to appreciate when the road is relatively smooth. On Genting's winding stretches, the vehicle's movement made it harder to enjoy the massage consistently. It's not a fault with the seat itself, but rather a reminder that road conditions can influence the experience.

Give us a smooth highway, though, and we'd happily spend more time in that second row.

3. What About Ride Comfort On Malaysian Roads?

Of course, fancy seats are only part of the equation. For a luxury MPV, how the vehicle feels on the road matters just as much. Interestingly, GWM says the WEY G9 has been given suspension tuning specifically tailored for Malaysian road conditions.

According to the manufacturer, the setup incorporates a full-aluminium suspension system, a multi-link rear suspension and Hydraulic Rebound Stop (HRS) technology, all intended to improve handling and ride comfort.

So, how did it actually feel?

During our journey, the WEY G9 HEV offered a generally comfortable experience, although we did notice some up-and-down movement over uneven road surfaces, particularly from the rear passenger seats.

It wasn't harsh or particularly unpleasant. However, the slight bounciness was noticeable enough to make us wonder whether repeated movement might become tiring over a much longer journey, especially for passengers who are more sensitive to motion.

And let's face it, Malaysian roads aren't always perfectly smooth, even when you're travelling in a straight line.

It's an important distinction. A vehicle can have sophisticated suspension engineering and still allow some movement to be felt inside the cabin.

Overall, the WEY G9 HEV's spacious second row and generous comfort features certainly added to the passenger experience. Still, luxurious seating and a perfectly smooth ride aren't necessarily the same thing.

For buyers who expect to spend plenty of time being chauffeured, we'd recommend trying the second row over different road surfaces during a test drive. After all, that's arguably where the WEY G9's biggest appeal lies.

4. The Hybrid Has Plenty To Offer, Even If You Can Hear It Working

One of the WEY G9 HEV's biggest advantages is that it delivers electrified performance without requiring owners to plug it in.

Unlike the plug-in hybrid version, the HEV uses its petrol engine and electric motors to manage propulsion and battery charging automatically. In other words, there's no need to install a home charger or plan your journeys around charging stations.

For Malaysian buyers living in condominiums, apartments or homes without convenient charging access, that simplicity could be a major attraction.

The HEV uses a relatively small 1.67 kWh hybrid battery, compared with the much larger battery found in the PHEV. Despite that, GWM claims fuel consumption of 6.5 litres per 100 km and a combined driving range of up to 845 km under the NEDC test cycle.

Those figures are certainly interesting for a large, seven-seat luxury MPV. However, they remain manufacturer-claimed numbers, rather than results we independently verified during this media drive.

As for refinement, the petrol engine made its presence known during the steeper climbs towards Genting Highlands, where we could hear it working harder. Some road noise was also audible inside the cabin.

Neither observation overshadowed the responsive performance we enjoyed, but buyers who prioritise cabin quietness should pay attention to these aspects during their own test drive.

Ultimately, the HEV's appeal lies in its simplicity. You get a powerful all-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain and the WEY G9's luxurious passenger experience, without having to change your routine around charging.

5. At RM249,800, Do You Really Need The PHEV?

Then there's the question of value for money. At RM249,800, the locally assembled WEY G9 Hi4 HEV costs RM20,000 less than its plug-in hybrid sibling, which is priced at RM269,800.

Importantly, choosing the HEV doesn't mean giving up the features that make the WEY G9 feel like a luxury MPV.

You still get the seven-seat configuration, Zero Gravity captain seats, Nappa leather upholstery and a 21-speaker audio system.

There's also a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The PHEV, however, has its own advantages. Its larger battery enables a manufacturer-claimed electric-only driving range of up to 170 km under the NEDC cycle.

It also offers additional equipment, including a hot-and-cold refrigerator and vehicle-to-load capability.

So, is the PHEV worth the additional RM20,000? That depends on how you intend to use the WEY G9.

If you have convenient access to charging and want the ability to cover more of your daily journeys on electric power, the PHEV's additional capabilities could justify the premium.

But if charging isn't something you want to think about, the HEV makes a compelling case of its own.

You still get the luxurious second-row experience, generous equipment and responsive hybrid performance that impressed us during the drive, while saving RM20,000.

For buyers who want a well-equipped family MPV with electrified performance and conventional refuelling convenience, that could be a sensible combination.

Ownership support is another consideration, particularly for buyers investing nearly RM250,000 in a luxury MPV.

GWM Malaysia has announced a maintenance and warranty package covering the vehicle and specified hybrid components, subject to its terms and conditions.

These provisions are worth examining alongside the purchase price, especially for buyers planning to keep the WEY G9 for several years.

For a more detailed breakdown of what separates the two powertrains and their equipment, read our earlier WEY G9 HEV versus PHEV comparison .

Our First Impression: A Luxury MPV That Knows How To Pamper

After experiencing the WEY G9 HEV from both the driver's seat and the second row, it's easy to see where its strengths lie.

The hybrid powertrain delivers responsive acceleration that makes this large MPV surprisingly enjoyable to drive, while the Zero Gravity seats bring a genuinely luxurious touch to the passenger experience.

There's also a practical argument for the HEV. Its no-plug hybrid setup means buyers can enjoy electrified performance without having to plan their daily routine around charging.

Of course, there are areas we'd like to see improved. The slight bounciness over uneven roads was noticeable from the rear seats, while road noise and the petrol engine's roar during steeper climbs reminded us that the cabin isn't completely isolated from the outside world.

Still, these observations didn't overshadow the things we enjoyed about the vehicle.

At RM249,800, the WEY G9 HEV presents an appealing option for Malaysian buyers who want a well-equipped luxury MPV without having to worry about charging.

Would we like to spend more time with it? Absolutely.

A longer highway journey would give us a better idea of how its ride comfort, cabin refinement and hybrid efficiency hold up under more typical driving conditions.