Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid review

Driving position 

One of the best things about SUVs is the ride height, and the Starray certainly delivers. There’s lots of electric adjustment in the seats, and a manually adjustable steering wheel, so finding your comfortable position isn't a bother. 

Visibility is really good all around. We drove the car down some very tight country lanes, on motorways and through one particularly very tight entrance gate, and we didn’t flinch once in this 1.9-metre-wide SUV. 

In terms of actual tech usability in the car, because the screen is so big, if you have to amend anything on the go, it becomes a bit perilous. We’d recommend that your passenger make any alterations to the temperature while driving, or simply adjust it before setting off. 

Tech and features 

Geely Starray EM-i trims 

– Pro 

– Max 

– Ultra 

We can’t think of a single new Chinese car that doesn’t have the entire works when it comes to the interior, and the Starray is no different. 

Before you’re seated, you’ll notice an expansive centre console that bridges the gap between the driver and passenger. It’s angled upwards and makes a lot of ergonomic sense when you’re on the move. 

Sitting above it on the dash is a 15.4-inch infotainment screen running similar software to the likes of a BYD or JAECOO product, but with its own Geely twist. 

While the system itself is very smooth and responsive, you’re likely just going to connect your phone wirelessly via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto anyway, which works superbly, by the way. 

Speaking of superb, though, is the sound system. We weren’t sure what to expect of the ‘Flyme Sound’ speakers in the Geely, but we were most impressed. We’d even go as far as to say they’re up there with top-end systems found in Range Rovers and Volvos. The surround sound was unreal. 

Additionally, as with its electric EX5 sibling, standard equipment is a highlight. All models get electric front seats, keyless entry and wireless smartphone connectivity. 

Mid-spec cars add a head-up display, panoramic roof and that premium audio system. 

Top-spec Ultra cars get all the above, plus improved all-electric range from a bigger battery and faster charging speeds. 

Engines and power 

Geely Starray EM-i performance stats 

– Power: 214hp 

– 0-62mph: 8.0 seconds 

– Top speed: 105mph 

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD) 

All versions of the Starray EM-i are powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor combo that produces 214hp and sends power directly to the front wheels. 

It isn’t particularly sporty, with a 0-62mph time of eight seconds and a top speed of 105mph, but it’s plenty for most people. 

However, we did notice that when the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) battery is flat, you lose the instant torque when accelerating. That means when you’re pulling out at busy junctions, there can be a minor delay when pressing the throttle.

Nothing we haven’t seen before in other plug-in hybrids, but something that will need some getting used to... or simply keep the battery topped up. 

At motorway speeds, the engine can be rather noisy, almost as if it needs to settle down to a higher gear or when it’s using extra RPMs to charge up the battery.  

Around town it’s barely noticeable, and when the battery is topped up, it’ll drive around in pure silence anyway. 

Handling and ride comfort 

One thing we noticed with the Starray straight off the bat is the ride quality and suppleness, which made it ride like a much more expensive-feeling SUV. 

During our time with the car, we took it up to Yorkshire, which doesn’t always have the smoothest of roads, and it handled them with ease.  

We even took it on some faster, sweeping B-roads, and while it didn’t feel light and nimble like a Porsche Cayman, it hustled its way down them in a more relaxed manner. 

Driving up to Yorkshire isn’t a short journey, though, so we spent over 10 hours in the car at motorway speeds across the weekend to get a taste of what it’s like. 

Road and wind noise is kept to a minimum, and apart from the occasional acceleration noise from the engine itself, it was a very civilised journey – especially with its impressive dash-mounted sound system. 

We heard instruments in an Akon song we’d never heard before. It’s that good.  

Boot space 

Geely Starray EM-i boot space:  

– Boot space: 428 litres 

– Incl. rear seats folded: 1,730 litres 

The Geely Starray has a 428-litre boot, though it technically has 528 litres if you include the under-floor storage too. 

This puts it ahead of the BYD SEAL U (425 litres), BYD SEALION 5 (463 litres) and Chery TIGGO 7 CSH (484 litres). 

Fold down the rear seats, and this grows to 1,730 litres, which is ideal for loading longer items, or, as we did, transporting a lot of wedding gear. 

Rear seats 

Thanks to a generous 2,755 mm wheelbase, space in the back of the Geely Starray is one of its headline acts. 

Rear passengers are treated to limo-like legroom and plenty of footroom beneath the front seats, easily allowing a pair of six-foot adults to stretch out in total comfort. There’s also no transmission tunnel, meaning middle-seat passengers aren’t sat awkwardly. 

Headroom is equally as impressive, remaining generous even on models fitted with the full panoramic glass roof. 

Storage solutions 

Practicality is clearly a top priority in the Starray, which Geely claims features over 30 distinct storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin.  

Up front, the layout makes clever use of the "floating" centre console design. Beneath the main controls sits a large open lower tray – ideal for tucking away a handbag, tablet, or a pair of shoes – complete with USB ports and a 12V socket.  

Up top, you’ll find a dedicated wireless charging pad, twin cupholders with a retractable cover and a deep central armrest cubby that swallows larger items with ease.  

Cabin storage for rear passengers is equally well thought-out. Alongside standard door bins that easily accommodate large water bottles, there are dual seatback pockets designed with separate slots to keep smartphones upright and secure.  

The fold-down centre armrest incorporates flush cupholders, while additional small cubbies around the cabin handle daily clutter like keys, sunglasses and parking passes without making the dash feel messy. 

Geely Starray EM-i dimensions  

– Height: 1,685mm 

– Width (incl. door mirrors): 1,905mm 

– Length: 4,740mm 

– Kerb weight: Up to 1,815kg 

Safety 

Safety is where Geely’s ownership tie-ins with Volvo become immediately obvious.  

Built on Geely’s rigid GEA architecture, the Starray earns full five-star ratings from Euro NCAP. 

As standard, it has six airbags, including a front-centre airbag to prevent front occupants from colliding in severe side impacts.  

For families, ISOFIX mounting points are standard on the outer rear seats, complete with clear plastic guides that eliminate the hassle of digging through leather cushions to secure a child seat.  

On the active safety front, the Starray comes loaded with a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS suite driven by a multi-camera and radar network.  

Standard driver assists include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go capability, Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. 

To round out the package, driver-awareness and parking tech are handled exceptionally well. A 360-degree HD surround-view camera system provides a 3D "see-through" chassis view to make manoeuvring into tight spaces painless, while standard front and rear parking sensors handle close-quarter detection.  

Paired with a subtle Driver Monitoring System that scans for signs of fatigue, the Starray delivers an effortless safety buffer that suits daily school runs and long highway commutes alike. 

Fuel economy 

– PHEV range: 51 to 84 miles 

– Battery size: 18.4kWh to 29.8kWh 

– MPG: Around 46mpg 

There are two different PHEV battery configurations you need to know about: 18.4kWh and 29.8kWh. 

The smaller battery is found in the Pro and Max models and gets up to 51 miles of electric range. The larger battery is reserved for the Ultra, giving it a claimed 84 miles of range – for a total of 618 miles combined. 

In our testing, the battery range stayed true to its claimed figures, especially around town. We also tried taking it on a 180-mile motorway stint with just the petrol engine, achieving an average of 46mpg. 

For maximum efficiency, we’d always recommend keeping the battery topped up, which can be done at home or DC fast charging up to 60kW (on Ultra models only). 

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 cars for years now. 

Every new Geely comes with an eight-year manufacturer warranty, which is transferred to subsequent owners if you’re buying a used Geely.