Geely EX5 News
Top EV alternatives to best-selling cars
Read the article
By Tom White · 13 Mar 2026
With fuel prices surging to around two dollars a litre nationally, and more that three dollars a litre in some regional areas, now is one of the best times to consider switching to a fully electric vehicle.Price was once one of the biggest deterrents for buyers wanting to make the switch, but now that gap has well and truly closed.To highlight this we’ve pulled together the most popular cars from last year in each mainstream car category, and the fully electric alternatives you can now buy for the same money.Seeking a practical small SUV? Top of the charts last year was the Hyundai Kona, and one of its most popular variants is the entry-level Kona Hybrid which starts from $36,950.To be fair here, the Kona Hybrid is a great choice anyway, as one of the most fuel-efficient small SUVs you can buy, but if you’re looking to wean yourself off fuel altogether, a great alternative is the Jaecoo J5.Surprisingly spacious and swish-looking, the J5 starts from just $35,990 before on-roads and offers a 402km (WLTP) range with a 155kW/288Nm electric motor driving the front wheels. It can even charge relatively quickly with its 130kW DC peak speed taking it from 20 - 80 per cent in just over half an hour.Read our Jaecoo J5 review hereYou actually can’t buy the popular GXL hybrid front-wheel-drive version of the Toyota RAV4 anymore, because production ended in the lead up to the launch of the new-gen version. The bad news is, the new one will cost even more than the outgoing car, which started from $45,810 before on-road costs.The RAV4 has earned its place as Australia’s most popular mid-size SUV through its family-friendly design, practical size and interior, and its no-nonsense approach to pretty much everything. The brand’s 2.5-litre 160kW hybrid system remains one of the most user-friendly hybrid systems on the market, too.What can you get as an EV for the same money? Quite a few options these days, as it turns out, and one of the most appealing is the just-updated Geely EX5 Extended Range, which is priced from $45,990 before on-roads.This relatively straightforward EV also provides a spacious interior and practical dimensions, but even combines it with more modern luxuries than the RAV4 offers in equivalent guise. It features synthetic leather interior trim, bigger screens with more connected technology, and its most recent upgrade brought with it a boost in driving range to 450km (WLTP). No wonder this one is storming up the sales charts.Read our Geely EX5 review hereFord’s big Everest off-roader is the most popular option in the large SUV space, and buyers tend to splash a bit more, reaching for the upper mid-grade Sport variant, which wields a 3.0-litre diesel V6 paired to a full-time 4WD system.This car wears a before-on-roads price-tag of $75,990, so what can you get as an EV instead?How about the just-released Tesla Model Y L? Starting from $74,900, sporting six-seats, and expanding in every dimension, this new take on the best-selling electric car in Australia offers more than you might expect.Sure, it’s not a big off-road oriented 4x4, but if it’s a fuel-free family hauler you’re looking for, you could do worse. With 378kW/580Nm it’s rapid, too, and with a huge battery offering up to 681km of range, it’s one of the furthest-travelling EVs on sale in Australia.Plus, it’s much more affordable than truly large electric SUVs, like the Kia EV9, which starts much higher at $97,000 before on-roads.Read more about the Tesla Model Y L hereThe Toyota Corolla continues as a perennial favourite among Australian buyers, and with the popular Ascent Sport hybrid starting from $32,110, why wouldn’t it?The swish little hatch offers Toyota’s perennial 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain in a front-wheel-drive layout, sporting a modest combined 103kW. There’s no denying that as far as cars with combustion engines go, it’s pretty fuel efficient, officially consuming 4.0L/100km, but what if you could forgo fuel altogether?The obvious answer for some time has been BYD’s Dolphin Premium. Starting from $36,990 before on-roads it carries a slight price premium over the most popular Corolla variant, however, the Dolphin also brings with it a long electric driving range of 490km (WLTP), and a punchier 150kW/310Nm electric motor.It also scores a much more contemporary and screen-laden interior, with bonus luxuries like synthetic leather seats, plus it undercuts the nearest equivalent MG4 by a decent margin.Read our BYD Dolphin review hereKia’s Picanto soldiers on as a hold-out in an embattled city car segment, which, despite ever-rising fuel prices, Australians have turned their back on. It’s still a great option, offering both manual and automatic transmissions, although its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine feels its age.Starting from $20,790 before on-road costs in automatic form, the Picanto is solid value, and while its wheezy engine produces just 62kW/122Nm it’s hardly the fuel sipping hero you might need, still managing to consume 6.0L/100km.This is where BYD’s Atto 1 comes into play. Now Australia’s most affordable electric car, the sharply-styled city hatch is slightly more expensive than the Picanto, as it starts from $23,990 in base Essential form.This entry-level Atto 1 is about even with the Kia on power, producing just 65kW, but it gets a boost in the torque department, with 175Nm. It also scores a middling 220km of range from its small 30kWh battery, but in a city runabout, do you need more?The smallest BYD also scores spec bonuses over its combustion Kia rival, with synthetic leather interior trim, a more contemporary interior design, and even a vehicle-to-load power distribution system.Read more about the BYD Atto 1 here
Popular EV scores range anxiety relief
Read the article
By Tim Gibson · 02 Mar 2026
Geely has updated its EX5 small SUV, with it now featuring a bigger battery and more driving range. It will start from $1000 more than the previous model at $41,990, before on-road costs. The up-spec grade of the car has also increased by $1000, starting from $45,990. The EX5 is significantly cheaper than one of its key rivals in the Hyundai Elexio, which starts from $58,990, before on-road costs. The Elexio features a more high-end level of trim than the EX5, but Hyundai will launch a new entry-level Elexio landing in Australia in Q2 2026, with a sharper price point.The EX5 remains more expensive than the BYD Atto 3, which has a starting price of $39,990, before on-road costs. The EX5 offers a more affordable price point, and its newly-upgraded 68.39kWh battery and 475km (WLTP) driving range adds to the package.It continues to offer more driving range than the base Atto 3's 50kWh battery and 345km (WLTP), while the Elexio bests it with a 88kWh battery offering 546km. On the power front, the EX5 is about on par with the Atto 3 and the Elexio, producing 160kW and 320Nm from a single front-mounted electric motor. Other changes to the latest EX5 include a faster charging cable and a cargo blind as standard, while the popular jungle green colour is now available as a premium paint option.The EX5 had a strong first year in the Aussie market, as one of the best-selling EVs for 2025, beating that of the Atto 3. It will look to chase down the Kia EV5 in 2026, which was the best-selling small EV SUV last year, with a starting price of $56,770, before on-road costs. 2026 Geely EX5 pricing Australia 2026 Geely EX5 electric motor and efficiency 2026 Geely EX5 standard features Other standard features includeHeated front seatsPowered front seatsKeyless entry and startRain-sensing wipersSatellite navigationInspire grade adds19-inch alloy wheels16-speaker premium audio system13.4-inch head-up displayPower tailgateAmbient lightingVentilated front seatsMassaging front seatsMemory driver seat 2026 Geely EX5 safetyThe Geely EX5 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. Standard safety features: Rear parking sensorsAuto emergency brakingAdaptive cruise controlFront cross-traffic alertRear cross-traffic alertLane keep assistTraffic sign recognitionLane change assistBlind-spot assistEvasive manoeuvre assist 2026 Geely EX5 dimensions2026 Geely EX5 warrantyThe Geely EX5 comes with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and eight-year/unlimited-kilometre battery warranty. There is also up to seven years of roadside assistance available.
The most-clicked reviews on the CarsGuide site in 2025
Read the article
By James Cleary · 26 Dec 2025
New car reviews are the backbone of CarsGuide’s offering to its readers and viewers. The aim is to provide in-market buyers with the independent information they need to make an informed purchase decision and interested browsers with enough detail to satisfy their curiosity.
Why this Chinese brand is not like the others
Read the article
By Stephen Ottley · 30 Sep 2025
Why Geely isn't flooding the market with new models.
Popular Chinese EV finally gets Apple CarPlay!
Read the article
By Tim Nicholson · 19 Aug 2025
Apple-loving Geely drivers rejoice! Your Geely EX5 electric SUV now has Apple CarPlay.
Massive range bump for cheap Chinese electric SUV
Read the article
By Jack Quick · 22 Jul 2025
Geely has detailed an updated version of its EX5 electric SUV over in China that comes with the option of a larger battery pack.As reported by Car News China, presales of this long-range Geely EX5 are set to start on July 24. In the Chinese domestic market this electric SUV is called the Geely Galaxy E5.Highlighting this update is the availability of a larger 68.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack that’s claimed to offer 610km of range according to lenient CLTC testing.This bolsters the existing 49.5kWh and 60.2kWh LFP battery pack options. Only the latter is offered in Australia and it offers up to 440km of range according to WLTP testing.All versions of the EX5 are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 160kW of power and 320Nm of torque.Beyond the larger battery pack, there are also two new exterior paint colours. They’re called ‘Dawn Blue’ and ‘Evening Forest Green’.In Australia there are five exterior paint colours offered. They’re called ‘Arctic White’, ‘Shadow Black’, ‘Volcanic Grey’, ‘Moonlit Silver’ and ‘Aquatic Green’.At this stage it’s unclear whether this updated Geely EX5 with the larger battery option will ever be offered outside of China.“While we cannot confirm any additions to the Geely Auto Australia range at this time, we are continuously monitoring market trends and consumer behaviours to ensure our product range aligns with the preferences of local customers,” said a Geely Auto Australia spokesperson.The Geely EX5 launched in Australia earlier this year in two trim levels - Complete and Inspire - as a cut-price rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5. It starts at $40,990 before on-road costs.The Chinese carmaker has just opened a register your interest portal on its website for its next vehicle, the Starray EM-i, which is essentially a plug-in hybrid version of the EX5.It’s set to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2025 and be a rival to the likes of the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
More driving range, bigger battery for Geely EX5
Read the article
By Samuel Irvine · 26 May 2025
A long-range version of the Geely EX5 has leaked in homologation filings in its home market of China less than three months after the budget electric model launched in Australia.
Geely Geome EV crossover in crosshairs for Oz
Read the article
By Byron Mathioudakis · 07 May 2025
Geely is contemplating adding the Geome supermini/crossover electric vehicle to take on the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai Inster EVs in Australia, as well hybrids like the Toyota Yaris Cross and Subaru Crosstrek. If given the go-ahead, the keenly-priced, Kia Stonic-sized five-door Geome could land here with a mid-to-high $20,000 price tag, which could make it Australia’s cheapest new EV yet.
2026 Geely Starship 7 PHEV set for Australia
Read the article
By Byron Mathioudakis · 03 May 2025
Will the Geely Starship 7 be the brand’s second model for Australia? Essentially a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the company’s EX5 EV released in the beginning of this year, the five-seater mid-sized SUV could arrive before the end of 2025, opening up the brand to a much wider audience. If given the green light, it would directly target the popular BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi
2025 BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5 safety tested
Read the article
By Samuel Irvine · 10 Apr 2025
BYD has continued its strong safety record in Australia with a five-star ANCAP rating for the electric Sealion 7 SUV, while newcomer Geely has also achieved top marks for its new EX5.The latest result means BYD’s entire Australian line-up, which includes the plug-in hybrid Shark 6, Sealion 6 and electric Seal, Dolphin and Atto 3 models, now carries the benchmark safety score.ANCAP, Australia’s peak vehicle safety testing body, noted the Sealion 7’s strong safety performance across all four key categories.Most notable was its performance in Child Occupant Protection, with the Sealion 7 achieving full marks in the frontal offset and side impact tests using six-year-old and 10-year-old dummies.Full marks were awarded in Adult Occupant Protection tests, such as the side impact, oblique pole and far side impact tests.ANCAP noted “weak” chest protection for the rear adult passenger’s chest in the full width test, suggesting improvements on future cars are needed.High scores were also awarded for the Sealion 7’s performance in autonomous emergency braking (AEB) tests with a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, and other vehicles, contributing to strong scores for the Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist categories.The Geely EX5 was commended for its ability to avoid incidents in tests on its advanced driver assist systems, particularly in the lane support and car-to-motorcyle tests, where it received full marks.Physical crash testing also saw strong results, with full marks awarded in the side impact, whiplash and far side tests.ANCAP noted several welds around the car’s A-pillar became detached in the frontal offset test, causing a deduction in points. However, more severe testing didn’t cause any further structural damage.As with the Sealion 7, the EX5 performed strongly in Child Occupant Protection tests using six-year-old and 10-year-old dummies, while protection of the rear adult passenger’s chest was similarly rated as “weak” in the full width frontal test.Overall, ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said it was refreshing to see electric vehicles performing strongly in crash testing.“As electrified vehicles continue to advance technologically, it’s encouraging to see equal investment in safety, ensuring that innovation and the protection of drivers, passengers and families go hand in hand,” said Hoorweg.On the Geely EX5’s performance, Hoorweg added: “Geely has made a confident entrance into the Australian and New Zealand markets with the Geely EX5, landing a five-star result right out of the gate.“The Geely EX5 delivers good overall safety performance and sets a benchmark for Geely’s local presence.”Both the BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5 are shaping up as two of the Tesla Model Y's biggest rivals in Australia to date, with each brand offloading 730 and 188 units as of March 2025, respectively, since their arrivals on the Australian market earlier this year.Check out the full details of both the BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5’s safety tests on the ANCAP website.