Geely EX5 review: Bargain, family-sized electric SUV has a touch of class

We road test the first model from a Chinese brand new to the UK – the Geely EX5 mid-sized electric SUV

You may be unfamiliar with the name Geely, but the automotive giant’s other big-name badges include Volvo, Lotus, Smart and LEVC, which builds electric black taxis.

In terms of size, the EX5’s most obvious competition includes the Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Ariya and Kia EV6, but it’s priced closer to smaller rivals such as the Kia EV3, MG S5 EV and Skoda Elroq.

Starting at just £31,990, four trim levels are available for the Geely EX5 – SE, Pro, Max and Ultra.

SE, Pro and Max come with a 60.2kWh battery and 215bhp electric motor, delivering a claimed 267-mile range with a 0-62mph time as quick as 6.9 seconds.

Standard equipment includes a heat pump, vehicle-to-load capability, rear privacy glass, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, a 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10.2-inch driver’s display.

Flagship Ultra gains a 68.39kWh battery, offering a WLTP range of up to 280 miles. It’s able to accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, and has a 750kg braked towing capacity.

All models have a single electric motor driving the front wheels.

With a maximum rapid charging rate of 160kW, a 30-80% boost takes just 20 minutes.

First impressions are as good as can be, considering the Geely EX5’s basic shape is a tad SUV-generic.

That said, it is sleek and sports pop-out door handles, some interesting surface detailing, high-set LED headlights and a full-width rear light bar.

Inside, it’s a little more special. It feels plush, with quality materials, and it’s well put together.

The big highlight is the sense of space, especially in the rear, where there’s plenty of leg and headroom for passengers.

The Geely EX5’s boot has a decent 461-litre capacity (expanding to an impressive 1,877 litres with the rear seats folded), but there’s no frunk under the bonnet for storing cables.

Up front it follows the minimalist trend, which means that virtually everything is controlled via the fiddly touchscreen.

To be fair, there are permanent shortcut buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen, but if you want to adjust things further, you need to open the dedicated climate control menu.

There are also a few physical buttons for switching the climate control system on and off, air circulation mode, and rear window demist on the centre console.

There’s a commanding driving position, and on the road the Geely EX5 is quick off the mark, refined and easy to drive.

The ride is on the firm side, creating a fidgety ride over severe bumps, but body movement is well controlled in more challenging corners.

The steering is fairly numb at first, so it’s worth experimenting with the two settings – Comfort and Sport – because the latter sharpens it up a bit.

The brakes are progressive (not a given in an electric car), and you can adjust the brake feel and regen (again, via the touchscreen), but there’s no one-pedal mode.

There are three drive modes (Eco, Comfort and Sport). They all change the throttle response, and as ever, Comfort is just fine.

Ultimately, it’s not the most engaging EV to drive, but it makes up for it in other ways, such as space, safety and peace of mind.

The Geely EX5 achieved a maximum 5 stars in Euro NCAP safety testing, and it comes with an eight-year, 125,000-mile warranty on both the car and its battery, which is one of the most generous available.

So, the EX5 represents superb value for money, but if longer range is your priority, there are better alternatives.

Based on driving the EX5 for a week, I’d estimate its real-world range is closer to 200 miles than the claimed 267 miles, but if most of your driving is in urban areas, then that may be more achievable.

Verdict: The family-friendly Geely EX5 is an impressive first car for the UK market from a Chinese automotive giant which clearly knows that its doing. Sleek, modern, practical and great value for money, it should be on your electric SUV shortlist.

Review in association with AutomotiveBlog