Whats the vibe?
If you haven’t heard of Geely yet, let me catch you up.
Geely is a huge global carmaker – the same company behind Volvo, Polestar, and a few others you might recognise – and they have big ambitions for Australia. They’re aiming straight for the best-sellers list and aren’t exactly being shy about it.
Earlier this year, Geely launched the EX5, a medium electric SUV that briefly cracked the top three against other electric SUVs. Now they’re rolling out the Starray EM-i, a plug-in hybrid SUV that promises the best of both worlds: quiet EV driving when the battery’s full, petrol backup when it’s not.
In practice, you plug it in and fill it up, and in return you get long range, quieter trips around the city, and less anxiety about where the next charger is.
Quiet and comfortable on roads
Great value with a decent warranty
Plenty of space for passengers
Engine is noisy when battery is empty
Smaller boot than other SUVs
Wind noise from sunroof at higher speeds
The Starray EM-i is a strong next step for Geely in Australia. It’s sharply priced, full of tech, comfortable to drive and has enough electric range to handle daily commutes with petrol backup for longer trips.
That said, a plug-in hybrid won’t suit everyone’s lifestyle. If you’re not interested in charging regularly, you’ll miss the point of the EV side, and the petrol engine on its own isn’t as refined. For some, Geely’s fully electric EX5 may make more sense, especially if you’re ready to commit to the life of charging.
It’s not without compromises; boot space is tighter than some family SUVs, petrol-only driving can be noisy, and the sunroof creates wind buffeting at speed. But these don’t take away from the fact that the Starray is one of the best-value plug-in hybrids in the market.
If you’re more cautious and don’t want to jump into a brand you’ve never bought before, that’s fair. But with the number of Geely EX5s already popping up on Aussie roads, choosing the Starray may be less of a gamble than it seems. And if what you’re after is maximum features and comfort for the money, and a PHEV fits your routine, the Starray is well worth a look.
Overall, we would recommend this car if:
You want EV commuting without EV commitment
You want a bunch of gadgets for minimum dollars
You like being an early adopter and want to try a new brand
