Geely EX5 review: Just another Chinese EV?

Join us as we take a closer look at the Geely EX5, the latest Chinese EV to join the scene.

Chinese cars are here, and they're not messing about.

BYD's making waves with their Blade battery technology and tempting price tags. JAECOO's bringing affordable luxury to the table. MG's been quietly dominating UK sales charts for years. 

The list goes on.

And now Geely's entering the ring with their own badge on a brand-new car.

Although, calling them "new" isn't quite right. They already own brands such as Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus – brands you'll see parked on driveways across the UK.

Geely's been pulling the strings behind the scenes for years, and considering Volvo's reputation for reliability, that's not exactly a bad pedigree.

They’ve also been successfully selling cars since 1997, when they became China's first privately-owned car manufacturer.

But now they've decided to strike out on their own in the UK with the Geely badge front and centre.

So, is the EX5 just another Chinese EV flooding the UK market, or does it actually have something worth shouting about?

We spent some time behind the wheel to find out.

What we drove

Model: Geely EX5 Pro
Body Style: SUV
Power: Electric (160 kW / 218 PS)
Battery: 60.22 kWh
Range: Up to 267 miles (WLTP Comb)
Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds
Colour: Grey
Price from: £30,790 (with Geely EV Grant)
Specifications correct at the time of publication

Angular design that works better in person

The Geely EX5's design is one of those cases where photos don't quite do it justice.

Look at pictures online and it might seem a bit familiar; there's definitely some older Tiguan-esque design language going on, with that upright stance and straightforward proportions.

But here's the thing: see it in person, and it makes a lot more sense.

It won't turn heads like a Polestar or stop traffic like a true classic (we’re thinking you, Aston Martin DB5), but it'll definitely get curious looks at red lights. That unfamiliar Geely badge has people wondering what they're looking at – and that's not a bad thing.

The EX5 has racked up some seriously impressive design credentials:

• Gold at the IDA Design Awards 2024
• Platinum at the MUSE Design Awards
• Winner of the Red Dot Award 2025 in Product Design

These aren't minor accolades, these are prestigious international awards that recognise genuinely thoughtful design work.

And when you're standing next to the car, you start to understand why. The proportions are spot-on. The details are well-executed. That 0.27 drag coefficient isn't just a number – you can see how the smooth surfaces, bi-colour aero wheels, and rear light bar stretching across the tailgate all create one cohesive design.

The flush door handles sit seamlessly into the bodywork, reducing drag while looking clean and modern. 

And they're mechanical and reliable. The handles hinge inwards and pop out when you approach with the key, rather than the electronic pop-out type that can freeze or fail. Small details, but they matter.

Is it groundbreaking? No. But it's attractive, well-proportioned, and clearly the result of proper, thoughtful design rather than just copying what everyone else is doing.

At 4,633mm long and 1,670mm tall with a 2,750mm wheelbase, it's bigger than rivals like the Kia EV3, MG ZS EV, and Peugeot E-2008, yet costs less than most of them.

That generous size also means excellent interior space, which brings us to...

Interior: Light, airy, and genuinely impressive

Step inside the Geely EX5 and you're immediately struck by how light and airy it feels.

The white and light grey colour scheme creates a bright, welcoming atmosphere that's refreshing compared to the dark, moody interiors dominating so many modern cars.

Combined with that minimalist design philosophy, it feels spacious and uncluttered without being stark or clinical.

Material quality is genuinely impressive. Soft-touch surfaces dominate, the centre console features an attractive matt line-pattern plastic, and everything feels well put together. This doesn't feel like a budget Chinese EV cutting corners – it feels properly premium.

The cabin layout is thoughtfully designed.

There's a massive 15.4-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard, a wireless phone charger, and excellent storage solutions throughout.

Door bins, additional cupholders, and a big space under the centre console mean you're not constantly hunting for somewhere to put your sunglasses or coffee cup. There's even a clever drawer under the rear seats for hiding extra bits.

Front seat comfort is good. Heated seats come as standard across the range, and there's plenty of adjustment available to help you find your ideal driving position.

The driving position feels commanding without being SUV-tall, giving you a good view of the road ahead.

But the real star is the rear seat space. The floor isn't excessively raised like in many EVs, headroom is generous, and three adults will fit comfortably back there. And thanks to that generous 2,750mm wheelbase, rear passengers get seriously impressive legroom – genuinely among the best in class.

Plus the middle seat folds down to become a cupholder. What a win!

The 410-litre boot is big enough for weekly shops, sports kit, and weekend trips.

Fold the rear seats down and you've got 1,877 litres of space – enough for flat-pack furniture or even mountain bikes.

There's also a 51-litre deep well under the boot floor for keeping charging cables and other bits out of sight.

It's a genuinely well-thought-out cabin that prioritises space, light, and practicality. 

Geely's done a proper job here.

Smooth power with some EV quirks

Get behind the wheel and the Geely EX5 delivers smooth, powerful electric performance. But, like us all, it’s not perfect. There are a couple flaws worth noting, but we’ll get back to these.

The single 160kW (218PS) front motor delivers that characteristic instant EV responsiveness.

Press the accelerator and it launches forward with impressive smoothness and refinement. It's genuinely quick when you need it to be, with that instant torque delivery making overtaking and motorway merging completely stress-free.

The 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds does the job nicely. You've got power ready and waiting, with that instant electric delivery rather than waiting for gearboxes to shift or turbos to spool up.

The ride quality is comfortable and composed. It soaks up bumps well, and at motorway speeds it settles into a relaxed, refined cruise – especially with the adaptive cruise control. The generous 50-profile tyres help cushion imperfections.

Here's where we need to be honest though: cabin noise isn't quite up there with the best.

You'll hear more of the outside world than you'd expect, especially with music down low.

You'll also notice a whirring sound when accelerating and slowing down. It's characteristic EV motor noise that sits somewhere in the middle of what we've tested – more prominent than premium rivals but nowhere near as loud as the Leapmotor T03.

Worth knowing if you prioritise a whisper-quiet cabin.

While regenerative braking ekes out a bit more range, it does create harsh braking which takes a few drives to get used to. But this can be forgiven for the extra range.

The driver fatigue alert system is overly sensitive. It'll beep at you even when you're perfectly alert and paying attention, which gets annoying on longer drives. You can adjust the sensitivity or turn it off, but it's one of those systems that feels like it needs better calibration.

Overall though, the driving experience is smooth, comfortable, and refined. 

It's not a sports car (nor does it pretend to be), but it's a genuinely pleasant thing to pilot on daily commutes and longer journeys alike.

Going the distance? Range and charging

Range might not be the Geely EX5's headline figure, but it's perfectly workable for daily driving – and Geely's sweetened the deal with some smart perks.

The 60.22kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery delivers a claimed WLTP Comb range of 267 miles. That's perfectly adequate for daily commutes and local errands, but it's noticeably shorter than rivals like the Kia EV3 (up to 372 miles WLTP Comb) or even the similarly priced MG ZS EV (up to 273 miles WLTP Comb).

It's enough for most people's weekly driving, but you'll be charging more frequently than owners of longer-range rivals.

When you do need to charge, Geely claims a peak DC fast charging rate of 160kW, with 30-80% taking around 20 minutes.

For home charging, there's standard 11kW AC charging, which most home wallboxes will handle easily. A full charge from empty takes around 6-7 hours on a 7kW home charger, perfectly manageable for most people's routines.

Here's where Geely sweetens the deal though: they're throwing in a free home charger with every EX5. That's a genuinely useful perk worth several hundred pounds, and removes one of the barriers to EV ownership.

There's also Geely's current EV Grant discount (up to £3,750 off depending on trim) and an additional £1,000 over normal trade-in value if you're swapping a petrol or diesel car. 

Combined with that six-year warranty and free home charger, the overall ownership package starts to look quite compelling.

Geely understands that switching to electric can feel daunting, which is why they've made it easier: a free home charger worth several hundred pounds, plus an extra £1,000 off if you're trading in a petrol or diesel car.

The 267-mile range might not top the charts, but for the vast majority of drivers doing under 150 miles daily, you'll simply charge overnight at home and wake up to a full battery. 

That's the reality of EV ownership – and Geely's making sure you're set up for it from day one.

What's good, and what's not

The Geely EX5 has plenty going for it, with just a few quirks to be aware of. Here's the honest breakdown.

The good bits:

• Impressive design credentials – Gold IDA Award, Platinum MUSE Award, Red Dot Winner 2025
• Light, airy interior – Bright colour scheme creates welcoming atmosphere
• Excellent material quality – Feels genuinely premium, not budget
• Best-in-class rear legroom – Seriously impressive space for passengers
• Thoughtful storage solutions – Wireless charging, covered cupholders, drawer under seats
• Comfortable ride quality – Soaks up bumps well, refined on motorways
• Generous warranty – 6-year/100,000-mile coverage plus free charging and maintenance
• Five-star safety ratings – Euro NCAP and ANCAP both awarded top marks

The not-so-good bits:

• Design feels familiar – Bit Tiguan-esque, not groundbreaking
• Cabin insulation could be better – More road and wind noise than best rivals
• EV motor whirring – Noticeable sound when accelerating and slowing down
• Overly sensitive fatigue alert – Beeps even when you're paying attention
• Range lower than competitors – 267 miles of WLTP Comb range

What's the verdict?

Overall Rating: 7/10

The Geely EX5 is a genuinely impressive offering from a brand striking out on its own in the UK market.

It's got the backing of Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus expertise behind the scenes, but this is Geely standing on its own two feet with its own badge – and they've done a decent job of it.

The design might not be groundbreaking, but it's well-executed and looks better in person than photos suggest. Those design awards recognise genuinely thoughtful work.

The interior is a particular highlight: light, airy, spacious, and finished to a standard that punches well above the price point.

Performance is smooth and refined, the ride quality is comfortable, and the rear passenger space is genuinely best-in-class. For families or anyone regularly carrying passengers, that alone could be the deciding factor.

There are compromises, of course. 

Cabin noise isn't quite up there with the best – you'll hear that EV motor whirring and more road noise than rivals. The fatigue alert needs better calibration. The regenerative braking takes getting used to.

But at £30,790 for our Pro trim (or £29,690 for the entry SE) with Geely's EV Grant applied, the EX5 undercuts most mainstream rivals while offering more space and a more premium-feeling interior than many of them.

Add in that six-year warranty, free home charger, and generous standard equipment, and it makes a very compelling case for buyers prioritising space, quality, and value.

Top 5 reasons to consider the Geely EX5:

1. Impressive interior quality – Light, airy cabin with premium materials and thoughtful design
2. Best-in-class rear passenger space – Genuinely excellent legroom for back seat passengers
3. Award-winning design – IDA Gold, MUSE Platinum, Red Dot winner for good reason
4. Strong value proposition – From £29,690 with generous equipment and 6-year warranty
5. Smooth, comfortable driving experience – Refined performance and ride quality for daily use

Would we recommend leasing a Geely EX5?

Absolutely – the Geely EX5 makes an ideal family car.

With its genuinely premium-feeling interior, excellent passenger space, and smooth driving experience at a price point that undercuts most mainstream rivals – it’s the EV to keep an eye on right now.

Yes, cabin insulation could be better, and the range isn’t exactly ground-breaking. 

But these are relatively minor compromises in a package that gets the important stuff impressively right.