This paper presents an exploration of laser clad AlSiCuNi-alloy FGCs on cast Al-alloy substrates. SEM microstructure observations indicate that, besides Si primary particles, hard Al3Ni2 compounds also exhibits a continuous increase in both particle sizes and volume fractions from the bottom to the top surface of the FGCs. Abrasive wear tests showed that laser clad AlSiCuNi FGCs possess much improved wear resistance and nearly the same level of friction coefficient with respect to the cast Al-alloy substrates. Tensile tests on specially designed specimens demonstrate that the interfacial bond strength between the FGCs and the substrates is higher than the ultimate tensile strength of the substrates. Digital imaging correlation (DIC) technique is employed to reveal the deformation behavior and the graded strain field of the FGCs near the interface.