Geely EX5 Reviews

Lynk & Co has detailed its upcoming flagship 900 three-row SUV with previously unheard-of driving range and an all-new battery type.

Chinese auto giant Geely has made a statement with the pricing of the EX5 in Australia, with the brand coming under even the boldest predictions in an effort to attract customers to the new electric mid-size SUV.

Yet another Chinese brand in Australia? Sort of.Zeekr Australia’s General Manager, William Zhou, told CarsGuide that thanks to the change in ownership and Lynk & Co falling under Zeekr’s direction, a launch is very much on the cards for Australia.“Exactly” Zhou said when asked about Lynk & Co now being possible for our market.“It’s something we’re working on right now," he said.“For us here, in a right hand drive market, Lynk & Co previously didn’t have right-hand drive products, so we’re working on that.“Also, because in Australia we know that EVs stand for technology and innovation, but when it comes to daily use plug-in hybrids should be another major choice. So we’re confident the current product from Lynk & Co with petrol and hybrid technology will do really well in Australia, so we’re pushing to have Lynk & Co products, but under one brand, Zeekr.”Zhou explained it would be a full-control type scenario in Australia, with Lynk & Co models being distributed by Zeekr from the same dealer network the premium Chinese marque is currently building out in Australia.Lynk & Co and Zeekr were completely separate entities prior to November 2024, when both brand’s ultimate parent company, Geely, re-organised its shareholdings to place Lynk & Co under the control of Zeekr, divesting Volvo’s share from the business.Zhou wants Lynk & Co hybrids to hit our shores in the near future.“I think we’re trying for next year, but nothing is confirmed yet. There’s a lot of engineering involved.” said Zhou.Zhou said Australia is a priority and could potentially be the first RHD market for Lynk & Co.“We’ll try”, Zhou explained of Australia being a launch-market for right-hand drive. “I think the European market is hard . There are some tariff issues. Maybe the UK. But Australia is an iconic market for right-hand drive, so we’re working on that.”Zhou wasn’t ready to talk exactly what product was high on the right-hand drive priority list, but he said the company was very conscious of not overlapping with Zeekr models in order to make sure both nameplates had a chance to shine.“We should position smartly. With the future coming models from Lynk & Co we should work on how to make it cover the range without cannibalising each other.”Zeekr’s current and future line-up consists of the X small SUV, 009 people mover, and 7X mid-sizer, which leaves room for several products from Lynk & Co.A good place to start would be one of its more recent models, the 08 SUV that would bring a coupe-sized plug-in hybrid alternative to sit underneath the slightly larger, more conventional 7X SUV from Zeekr.The 08 rides on Volvo’s compact modular architecture (CMA) and is available as a plug-in hybrid (EM-P in Lynk & Co language), which pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a dedicated hybrid transmission and massive 39.6kWh battery pack good for a driving range of up to 245km according to the lenient CLTC testing cycle. If it maintains a similar specification, it would be the longest range plug-in hybrid in Australia.Other options include the 07 sedan with a similar PHEV drivetrain, 05 small coupe SUV (essentially a PHEV take on the Volvo C40 electric SUV). Less likely seems to be the XC40-based 01 SUV and 03 sedan, and the now-dated 09 SUV.The 900 six-seat flagship SUV, which sit on the latest SPA Evo architecture complete with next-generation styling, could be a possibility.The 900 features the brand’s next-gen plug-in hybrid tech consisting of either a 530kW model using a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 43.3kWh battery pack providing up to 185km of EV driving range on the CLTC standard, or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder model providing up to 630kW that has an even larger 50kWh battery pack providing a driving range of up to 220km (CLTC).Zeekr has only just started deliveries in Australia, with a mere 100 units on the road, but Zhou said the brand is happy with the level of demand it is seeing for its existing range of premium electric models, which serve as an alternative to the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.The brand also needs to fight off other newcomers such as Xpeng, Chery’s Jaecoo sub-brand, and BYD’s Denza marque, which all have similar ambitious plans for Australia in 2025 and beyond.

A new front has opened up in the battle for the hearts and dollars of electric car buyers.Geely is the latest carmaker to begin rolling out advanced self-driving technology.The tech, dubbed 'G-Pilot', is aimed at Tesla's 'Full Self Driving' and BYD’s new 'God’s Eye' semi-autonomous driving functions.Geely just launched in Australia with its new EX5 electric mid-size SUV.It has been reported that the new technology will be made available in a range of Geely brands going forward, including Zeekr, which launched in Australia in 2024.It is also possible the new tech will feature in other brands under the Geely umbrella such as Volvo, Polestar, Smart and Lotus.The tech is available with a range of capabilities, but the fully-loaded version comes with 12 cameras, multiple Lidars and three radars.This means it is capable of full self driving in the future, but it is not yet allowed or trained to do it.The tech is also AI assisted, which means it is constantly learning and the rollout is likely to be used as broad learning for the tech to help it achieve full self-driving.For now it can navigate on highways and city streets by itself but always needs a human in charge.Autonomous tech isn’t particularly popular in markets such as Australia, but this advanced technology is highly desirable in China where a massive highway system makes the technology more useful.Geely's move follows BYD’s recent announcement its God’s Eye technology would be rolled out to its entire range.Older BYDs are unlikely to be compatible with the new software as they don’t have the necessary hardware — cameras and Lidar systems — to make it work.Recent spy shots of upgraded BYD Atto 3 and Dolphin models in China show new cameras in the bumper that would allow this tech to work.A class action lawsuit has been levelled at Tesla in Australia, with its 'Autopilot' feature one of the main points of contention. It is being organised by law firm JGA Saddler and alleges Tesla sold vehicles that were defective in Australia.It concerns Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles built from 2021 onwards that are equipped with the Autopilot feature.It said the hardware on Tesla vehicles is incapable of supporting fully-autonomous or close to autonomous driving despite claims to the contrary.

A new electric car price war is brewing. In the past few months several new sharply priced mid-size electric SUVs have lobbed onto the Australian market.

Yet another new brand has arrived in the Australian market and Geely is leading its offensive with the EX5, a Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5 competitor that promises sharp pricing and plenty of technology. That promise alone isn't enough to shift metal, so what's it like? We find out in an Australian first drive.

Chinese auto giant Geely might only be about to launch its first model here, but the brand has some mighty big aspirations, targeting a spot in Australia's top 10 automotive brands.Geely is the parent company of Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr and Lotus, but said it won't be combining the figures from all five brands to hit its lofty target. Instead, it said it will get there all by itself.Based on last year's results, that would mean Geely would need to sell in excess of 40,000 vehicles, with GWM (42,782), Nissan (45,284) and Isuzu (48,172) finishing tenth, ninth and eighth respectively.That's the word from local Geely CEO Li Lei, who – at the launch of the EX5 electric SUV – told CarsGuide that a top 10 finish was " very normal" for Geely."As a Chinese brand, there are always ambitious targets. We are moving very fast, and of course I have my KPIs. But the most important thing for me is to take care of our customers and partners," Mr Lei said."Geely is one of the leading OEM in the world, so to become the top 10 is something very normal to us. We are focusing on the customers, and that will bring a good result."Geely is a massive and mainstream brand. It's a volume brand."First to arrive will be the EX5, with preview drives now complete. The electric mid-size electric SUV will arrive in two trim levels, the Complete and the Inspire, and while pricing specifics are yet to be confirmed, the brand has said the range will span $49k to $55k.Both are a single motor, front-wheel drive setup, good for 160kW and 320Nm. They both also share Geely’s “Short Blade Battery” – a 60.22kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate unit, which is enough to deliver between 410kms and 430kms of range.The brand has yet to detail what models might follow the EX5, but has access to a range of EVs and plug-in hybrids globally.

Chinese auto giant Geely has revealed that it has extensively tested its new electric EX5 SUV in Australia to develop suspension for local conditions ahead of the vehicle’s launch this year.The revelation is an insight into just how serious the car manufacturer is taking its brand launch in Australia with the EX5 being its first model to come here.Head of Geely Auto Australia Li Lei said the company has an understanding of what Australian consumers want in a vehicle.“Geely is extremely proud of the work the Australian team has done to make the Geely EX5 fit-for-purpose for the local market,” he said. “We now have a great understanding of what Australian car consumers need in a vehicle, how they use it and what features they love,” said Lei. “We wanted to ensure the car offered a great experience for Australians and these adjustments will deliver a smoother ride over rough surfaces, improved stability for long-distance journeys, and the durability to handle variable loads — all while maintaining the comfort, confidence and reliability consumers expect." Car makers such as Ford and Toyota have calibrated suspension for Australian conditions for decades and the use of local engineering teams to ensure vehicles are adapted to our varying roads has been one of the secrets to the success of brands such as Kia and Hyundai. Geely doing the same signals the car maker is gearing up to be competitive against these brands.The EX5 could be the sharpest weapon in Geely’s armoury, too. At 4615mm long the EX5 is the same size as Toyota’s RAV4 and with a similar price tag, expected to be between $49,000-$55,000. The difference is that the EX5 is electric while the RAV4 is a petrol-hybrid.Not only will that allow the EX5 to compete with the RAV4 and other combustion powered mid-sized SUVs such as the Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester, but it will also be able to rival electric SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y and Leapmotor C10.  “The beauty of this car is that it can compete. It’s an SUV, we’re not compartmentalising ourselves into the battery electric vehicle (BEV) space. We’re expecting people from legacy brands to come and look at this vehicle as well,” a Geely spokesperson told CarsGuide recently.The EX5 will offer a front mounted motor producing 160kW and 320Nm, and offer a range of up to 430km.Australia has seen electric vehicles become more mainstream over the past two years. Chinese brands such as BYD, MG, Leapmotor, Deepal, Zeekr, Smart have warmed the local market up to new names and tech and won over many Australians, priming the market for Geely, which is expected to  make a major impact on our automotive landscape.  

Price used to be the biggest hurdle to electric car adoption, but not anymore.Research conducted by the Electric Vehicle Council in 2022 suggested half of new car buyers were considering switching to electric, but the number one concern was the upfront cost.One of the best value offerings at the time was the Tesla Model 3, which started from a whopping $64,300. Consumers were expected to pay $15,000 to $20,000 more for an EV compared to an equivalent petrol model.A lot has changed.The electric car market has expanded significantly and costs, both from existing players and those new-to-market, have come down significantly.The upgraded Tesla Model 3, which now features more driving range and features, starts from $54,900, and you can hop into a fully electric car from as low as $29,990 (for the BYD Dolphin Essential).Not only have costs come down, but the amount of choice has exploded. The just-launched Leapmotor C10 is a mid-size family SUV, which starts from $45,888 before on-roads (or just $47,500 as part of an initial drive-away offer). It’s a price-tag equivalent to a mid-spec Toyota RAV4 — Australia’s most in-demand hybrid SUV — and soon it will have to compete with not only the Xpeng G6 but the Geely EX5.We may have expected electric car price parity to arrive with some fanfare, but it has almost arrived with barely a whimper.Top-selling models, including the Tesla Model Y, still seem to be a price-step above combustion options. There’s a vibrant price-war amongst the increasing number of Chinese automakers available and in an increasing number of segments, but it seems like electric cars have lost their lustre a bit amongst new car buyers.As a result, the latest data from the industry has those considering purchasing an EV dropping significantly.It’s not all over for electric cars as some doom and gloom headlines proclaim, often citing softening (but still growing) sales in Australia. There are also much more dire figures out of Europe causing some of the biggest manufacturers to issue embarrassing about-faces on once-bold all-electric commitments, as customers reject new products in droves.So why is this happening? Do Australian new car buyers even want an EV anymore, and are we set to follow in the footsteps of other places that have seen an EV sales slow-down?The issue has several factors, all of them economic rather than ideological, despite what the comments section would have you believe.Consumer confidence in the new car market has declined significantly with high interest rates. The January 2025 sales data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed a continued decline in EV sales following a soft second half of 2024, but also a rapid increase in registrations at the lowest end of the market. Significant winners so far this year include the Kia Picanto, Chery Tiggo 4, MG3, and outgoing Mitsubishi ASX, all budget petrol-powered offerings, and a far cry from the usual mid- or high-spec SUVs which have dominated sales charts for some time.Another significant factor is the removal of EV incentives from most states.The amount of competition in the Australian market has had a knock-on effect of slaughtering the resale value of existing EVs. Imagine having bought a pre-upgrade Model 3 in 2022, only to have its value halve in three years because the new one is not only better, but it’s nearly $10,000 more affordable, too.Then there’s the consideration of why buy a two- or three-year-old, relatively high kilometre Tesla, when you could have a brand-new BYD Seal with a box-fresh warranty from $46,990. Buyers have begun to question whether now is the right time for a purely electric vehicle, when they could simply wait for prices to stabilise, buying or holding on to a combustion car in the meantime.Fuel prices are hovering around $2 a litre and Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) will begin to have a significant impact on the model mix available. Hybrids appear to be the biggest beneficiaries. Sales are up a whopping 76 per cent year-on-year, driven by the return of the supply of popular Toyota models after a long period of parts shortages, and an explosion of new options available from Hyundai, Kia, GWM, Honda, and Nissan.This slowdown in EV consideration is a natural part of the process and what has to happen to bring the technology to the mainstream as automakers scramble to have the best, most affordable vehicles available.It’s the most keen early-adopters of electric vehicles who will feel the brunt of this. Their vehicles have been hit by the biggest declines in value, and they’ve had to put up with an immature charging network and even some additional expenses, like higher insurance costs.Still, the Australian market continues to evolve. While consumers seem to have turned more to hybrids, EV sales still grew in Australia, up 4.7 per cent over the course of 2024. They accounted for 91,292 units or 7.4 per cent the market and more options particularly at the same price of popular hybrids should continue to convert buyers.Australia has plenty of growth in the EV sector to go. Australia has the highest uptake of household solar in the world, which would, in turn, mean that Australian households with the ability to charge in their garage will have some of the lowest per-km cost to recharge their electric vehicles.The biggest factor in the long-run though will be the NVES. Finally catapulting Australia into the world of 21st century emissions policy, this policy will really start to bite in the second half of the decade. Almost every mainstream automaker who has spoken to CarsGuide on the topic has earmarked serious changes to their line-up, with a high percentage of pure electric vehicles necessary for them to avoid hefty fines from the government.It’s also worth noting that at 7.4 per cent adoption, while Australia has been a little slow on the uptake, it’s hardly hit the saturation point which many European jurisdictions and some Chinese cities have reached, which is a big source of their respective market slow-downs.What’s the take-away? While price-parity EVs have quietly arrived in Australia with minimal fanfare, the path for growth here seems more sustainable than the great swings and misses we’ve seen overseas.Periods of explosive growth and unsustainable subsidies are behind us, and a slowly-but-surely set of policies in place here seems to be adding incrementally to Australia’s electric fleets rather than moving from huge sales to gutting losses for automakers, and in the long term, this should add confidence for EV buyers rather than doubt.

Why Geely's range of hybrids and EVs from its Galaxy range could be what stunts BYD's growth in Australia.