Geely EX5 review

Driving position

There’s plenty of adjustment in the seating position, so we weren’t left wanting it to go lower or higher, and the steering wheel covers most bases.

If we were being picky, it could benefit from coming out from the dash a bit more, but it was never an awkward reach to hold onto the wheel.

The dash itself is pretty low, and the A-pillars are slim, so you feel like you get a good view over the road ahead.

The rear C-pillars are slightly on the thicker side, creating nothing more than the usual blind spots, but the size of the rear windscreen itself is good. You can see far more out the back than you could in coupé-SUVs like the BYD SEALION 7 and Tesla Model Y.

Our test car, in Max trim, had Geely’s ‘zero-pressure’ slow-rebound seats. Sounds like a load of marketing speak, but they’re truly some of the most comfortable seats we’ve tried in any car, and we drive cars several times the price of this one.

The Max-only massage seats are a nice-to-have, but as with any in-car seat massager, we found it doesn’t go high enough up the back toward the shoulders.

Tech and features

Geely EX5 trims

– SE

– Pro

– Max

Standard equipment is generally strong, as you’d expect from any challenger brand building electrified models.

Up front, there’s a large 15.4-inch display, but unlike something like a Tesla Model Y or Volvo EX30, there’s also a secondary 10.2-inch driver’s display, which is handy.

We found the infotainment system fast, responsive and easy to navigate. It follows a similar layout to other large displays, including those in the BYD SEALION 7 and Leapmotor C10.

Unlike the JAECOO E5, it always keeps the climate control panel visible, even when you have full-screen wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on.

If you prefer, you can also use built-in apps like Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and TuneIn Radio.

The AI-powered voice assistant is also good to use and understands more than 200 vehicle commands – we used it successfully to open and close the sunroof, for example. It’s a shame the regular controls for this are a few clicks away in the touchscreen, rather than being on the ceiling.

Entry-level SE models come with wireless phone charging, keyless entry, a 360-degree parking camera and heating for the front seats and steering wheel – this trim is broadly in line with rivals from emerging brands, and slightly ahead of more established brands.

All models also get vehicle-to-load (V2L) for powering portable electronics and appliances – you need to plug the adapter in to use this, rather than there being a domestic three-pin socket inside the car.

Pro doesn’t add much, but it does get bigger alloy wheels with more premium tyres from factory and interior ambient lighting.

Max adds the panoramic, opening sunroof with powered shade and a powered boot lid. This is also the one to go for if you want ventilation and massage for the front seats, a head-up display and an upgraded 1,000W 16-speaker system over the standard six-speaker array.

It also adds front parking sensors to the standard rear sensors, but all models get a 360-degree parking camera anyway so we wouldn't worry about that.

Electric motors and power

Geely EX5 performance stats

– Power: 218hp

– 0-62mph: 6.9 to 7.1 seconds

– Top speed: Up to 109mph

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

There’s only one motor option for the Geely EX5, but it’s the ideal middle ground. With 218hp, it’ll do 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds (or 7.1 seconds for the heavier Max).

That’s quicker than the equally powered Kia EV5 (8.4 seconds) and the 224hp Toyota C-HR+ (7.3 seconds), but the BYD ATTO 3 EVO is quicker in all configurations.

Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes make a noticeable difference to throttle response, and even though it’s front-wheel-drive, it doesn’t wheelspin too much.

Other FWD electric cars can struggle because of the amount of instant power shocking the wheels, particularly from a standstill.

Handling and ride comfort

First thing’s first, the Geely EX5 is a family SUV. And a comfort-oriented one at that. But being a majority shareholder in Lotus, it has had some influence from the sports car icon, so it’s been tuned well for British roads.

It’s actually a really comfortable place to be when surfaces get rough, and even over awkward speed bumps it holds its composure well.

Cabin refinement is high at motorway speeds, and the entire driving experience is very relaxing.

But it’s more relaxing than sporty – its light steering makes it better for sedate driving like the daily commute, and other electric SUVs can feel stiffer and more planted on fast, twisty roads.

Boot space

Geely EX5 boot space:

– Boot space: 461 litres

– Incl. rear seats folded: 1,877 litres

While many hatchbacks are within a few litres of each other, boot space is one of the biggest differentiators in the world of SUVs. It sets apart good SUVs from outstanding ones.

The EX5 is closer to 'good’, with a 461-litre boot. It’s not an awful lot larger than some of the best hatchbacks, but the space you do have is very usable.

But – and there’s a big but – we suspect this figure might not include the under-boot storage. Or as the Americans like to call it, the ‘sub trunk’.

There’s a huge amount of room underneath, just like in the Tesla Model Y. In fact, we could conceal two very large SCUBA diving tanks under the boot floor, or three smaller ones. Not your average test, we know, but you can imagine how big those are to be fully hidden under the boot floor.

Unfortunately, there’s no frunk, even though the BYD ATTO 3 EVO has a 95-litre space.

Rear seats

Being built on a dedicated EV platform bodes well for interior space, because there’s plenty of rear legroom and, more importantly, the floor is totally flat.

The EX5’s more upright stature is also good news for rear headroom, which is plentiful even when the sunroof and blind eat into it a little.

The rear seats are just as comfortable as the front ones and there’s a folding centre armrest with cupholders for added comfort and convenience.

Parents will also be glad to know the rear doors open nice and wide, so getting child seats in should be easy enough.

Storage solutions

Geely says there are 33 storage compartments throughout the cabin, and while we didn’t set about counting them all, we did note the large storage area under the floating centre console and well-proportioned door bins.

Maybe the most unique thing is the large, 14-litre drawer under the rear seats. Perfect for hiding expensive items, or just stashing snacks for a long road trip.

Geely EX5 dimensions

– Height: 1,670mm

– Width: 1,901mm

– Length: 4,615mm

– Kerb weight: Up to 1,765kg

Safety

Euro NCAP scored the EX5 a full five-star rating with consistently high scores across the four testing categories.

Besides the usual airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blind spot monitoring, this EV also gets cell-to-body battery construction to improve crash protection.

The door exit warning system is also handy to prevent you from opening your doors into oncoming traffic or cyclists.

Range and charging

Geely EX5: electric range, battery and charging

– Range: 255 to 267 miles

– Battery size: 60.2kWh (usable)

– Max charging speed: Up to 160kW

– Charge port location: Front right

– Charge time (AC): Around 8.5 hours with a 7kW charger

– Charge time (DC): 30-80% in 20 minutes

– Efficiency: 3.7 to 3.9 mi/kWh (claimed)

Geely says the EX5 will do up to 267 miles between charges, which might be lower than rivals, but the battery is also much smaller. Unless you’re regularly doing long motorway stints, it’s perfect.

The VW ID.4 claims around 265 miles from a smaller 58kWh battery, though, making that more efficient than the EX5.

3.7 to 3.9 mi/kWh is the officially testing efficiency, and this is exactly what we were averaging.

160kW rapid charging is average if not outstanding – 30-80% in 20 minutes is ideal for a top-up. Most rivals, including the VW ID.4, Kia EV5 and BYD ATTO 3 EVO will do 10-80% in 25 to 30 minutes.

Reliability

Technically, it’s a new model so long-term reliability is still unproven. However, Geely is actually the company behind Lotus, smart, Volvo and Polestar. Brands that have been shipping electric models for years now.

The LFP battery also helps longevity compared with earlier battery chemistries, as it’s more suitable for higher volumes of charge cycles.

And to further convince UK drivers, Geely is offering the EX5 with a six-year warranty upgradable to eight, and an industry-standard eight-year battery warranty.