Geely EX5 Max: 'I drove the latest Chinese car to hit the market - it reminds me of a Volvo'
The influx of cars manufactured in China keep on coming and Steve Teale says that is no bad thing. Here he test drives the Geely EX5 Max, and it reminded him of a Volvo… but the firm does own that brand.
Another day. Another incredibly good car from China. It’s very difficult not to be impressed by the raft of new models from far-flung shores.
It’s not that they are amazingly good. It’s more that they are not terrible.
A few years ago if you had suggested that a fleet of vehicles we had never heard of would be on the way to the UK, many discerning motorists would have dismissed them as cheap and undesirable in much the same way early Datsuns, Mazdas and Toyotas were not taken seriously in the 1970s.
But judging by the number of BYD, Jaecoo, Chery and co, the Chinese models are held in high regard.
Tested here is Geely, one of those brands which is largely unheard of here but massive in China.
It owns Volvo, strangely enough. And when I got in this car for the first time, I immediately thought of Volvo.
The cabin had that Scandinavian feel, all cream surfaces, bright metal and pale wood.
Is the build quality good? I think so. The cabin feels bright and fresh and is very well designed. The ride and handling is decent. Not great, but what do you expect from a tall-ish SUV?
In fact, Geely says it has used expertise from another company in the group, Lotus, to design the way the car drives. I still would prefer a firmer ride and more feel to the handling.
Springs, dampers and anti-roll bars have all been revised for UK-specific models.
They are said to give the EX5 a composed, predictable feel that balances ride comfort with accomplished handling to give extra confidence in everyday driving, from pot-holed B-roads to motorway cruising.
Geely EX5 is essentially a five-seat, family-focused compact SUV new energy vehicle (NEV), which combines generous space, advanced safety and intuitive technology, all underpinned by a real-world, future-focused approach to electric mobility.
EX5 is Geely’s first model to be sold in the UK. It is billed as a spacious, safe, and affordable compact SUV.
It has up to 267-mile range and has fast-charging delivering 30-80 per cent in as little as 20 minutes.
The cabin is impressive. It has state-of-the-art digital technology including a fast, intuitive infotainment system featuring 15.4-in touchscreen and AI voice control, 13.8-in head-up display, and 16-speaker, 1,000W premium audio system. It looks and feels premium.
It is also a spacious vehicle. It has exceptional interior space, 33 storage compartments, and large 461-litre luggage boot which Geely says “supports active, family life”. It majors on safety too.
There are seven airbags, full suite of advanced driver assistance systems and a five-star Euro NCAP rating and demonstrate Geely’s commitment to safety.
Like a lot of modern cars, the relentless bleeps might become intrusive after a while but you can easily disable them.
There were three models at launch – SE, Pro, and Max – which come with a high specification as standard, including V2L and V2V capability. It means you can use the car battery as a power bank.
The V2L (vehicle to load) tag means it allows customers to charge e-bikes or plug in devices such as camp stoves, coffee machines and fridges, making it a mobile power source that supports every kind of outdoor adventure.
V2V (vehicle to vehicle) means it can transfer power to another vehicle if necessary.
It has added a new flagship variant to the model line-up with the Ultra specification.
Geely is one of China’s largest car manufacturers and owns a large chunk of European brands such as Polestar, Volvo, Lotus and Smart.
EX5 has added a range-topping Ultra variant which boasts a new 68.39kWh battery pack with an electric motor to deliver a claimed range of up to 280 miles between trips to the plug.
Meanwhile, the EX5 with this set-up has a towing capacity of up to 750kg.
In terms of performance, the EX5 Ultra can hit 60mph in 7.4 seconds and produces 320Nm of torque; however, a top-speed figure has not been revealed for this new powertrain set-up.
The Ultra trim gains additional kit compared to the mid-level Max specification, boasting extras such as a 13.8-inch head-up display, a 16-speaker FlyMe premium sound system, a powered tailgate, a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats with a massage function.
Other additions include a new paint colour of Rainforest Green, which is available across the EX5 range.
The Geely EX5 Ultra went on sale on May 5 with prices starting at £38,990, while deliveries will commence later this year.
EX5 might be the start but Geel has another model in the pipeline. The company says consumer trust in electrification is solidifying as range, charging access, and residual value perceptions improve.
A company spokesman said: “Geely Auto views this as an inflection point, where EVs move from early adoption to mainstream ownership.
“The Geely EX5 has been engineered with these shifts in mind, combining everyday usability, charging speed, and low running costs with high specification levels.”
More models are set to follow, covering a broad range of sizes and vehicle markets – each one aimed at providing electric mobility that is safe, spacious, smart, and genuinely attainable.
Geely EX5 Max: £36,990. The EX5 SE is £31,990 and the EX5 PRO is £33,990; a 218ps electric motor that emits 218ps via front wheel drive; top speed 109mph and 0 to 60mph in 7.1 seconds; range 254 miles; emissions 0; eight years’ warranty, 125,000 miles.