Geely EX5 Review UK

Is This the Best Value Electric SUV You Can Buy?

The Geely EX5 marks the official arrival of Geely Auto into the UK market, and while the badge might be unfamiliar to many British buyers, the company behind it most definitely isn’t. This is the same automotive giant that owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Smart and Zeekr, so there’s serious engineering muscle behind this car. The EX5 is Geely’s opening move in one of the most competitive segments in the country right now: the mid-size electric family SUV. Think Kia EV6, Hyundai Kona Electric, BYD Atto 3 and MG4 Extended Range territory.

So what exactly is the Geely EX5?

At its core, the EX5 is a fully electric family SUV. A sensible, practical, mid-size EV designed to slot into the busiest part of the market, occupying the same space as MG4, BYD Atto3 and even the Kia EV6.

Except… this one starts at just £31,990. And the one I’ve been driving – the fully loaded Max version – comes in at £36,990.

Now that, in today’s EV world, is… interesting. Because let’s be honest. Most electric cars these days are pushing well past £40k. Some are heading towards £50k before you’ve even added options. So when something comes along, fully electric, packed with kit, and under £37k… It’s worth taking note.

First impressions – clean, modern, slightly confusing badge

Let’s start with how it looks. Because the EX5 doesn’t shout. It doesn’t try too hard. It doesn’t go full sci-fi concept car. Instead, it’s clean. It’s smooth. It’s… quite tasteful, actually.

You’ve got slim LED headlights, a bluff front end, and a very tidy profile. Around the back, there’s that now almost mandatory full-width LED light bar, which I actually quite like here – it’s distinctive without being over the top.

And then there’s the badge. Which, if I’m honest, initially looks like some kind of sensor array. It isn’t. It’s the Geely logo. Six blocks. You’ll get used to it, I think. But personally I think they should reduce the size and put it on the bonnet.

The colour on this one is called Moonlight Silver, although it’s more of a bluish-grey to my eyes. Still, it suits the car.

Overall? It’s a good-looking thing. Not flashy. Not controversial. Just… well judged.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TABLE

Specification	Geely EX5 (All Models)
Powertrain	Single Motor, FWD
Power	218 PS
Torque	320 Nm
0–62 mph	6.9–7.1 seconds
Battery	60.22 kWh
Range (WLTP)	255–267 miles
DC Charging	Up to 160 kW
AC Charging	11 kW
Charge Time (30–80%)	~20 minutes
Length	4,615 mm
Wheelbase	2,750 mm
Boot Capacity	461L / 1,877L max
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Heat Pump	Standard

Practicality – this is where it starts to make sense

This is where the EX5 begins to show what it’s really about. Boot space is 461 litres, which is plenty. Fold the seats down and you get 1,877 litres, which is properly useful.

There’s a deep underfloor compartment, adjustable load floor, and a wide opening. In other words, it’s easy to use. Inside the cabin, Geely claims there are 33 storage compartments.

Now I didn’t count all 33… but I did find one under the rear seat. A proper drawer. That’s the sort of thing you don’t expect — and the sort of thing that keep the kids happy!

Rear seat space? Very good. I’m 6ft 1, long legs, and sitting behind my own driving position I’ve still got room to spare. Headroom’s good too, even with the panoramic roof.

This is a proper family car. No question about it.

Interior – big screens, big spec, and a lot going on

Up front, it’s all very modern. Big central 15.4-inch touchscreen, digital driver display, head-up display… minimal buttons, most things controlled through the screen.

Now I’ll be honest – there’s a lot going on here. Menus, submenus, settings, apps, ambient lighting, massage seats, driving modes, camping mode, rest mode… you name it, it’s probably in there somewhere.

It takes some time to get used to, but once you’re familiar with it, it’s quite usable. The screen is responsive, the layout mostly makes sense, and it’s not frustrating.

And the kit list? Honestly, for the money, it’s impressive:

• Massage seats – yes really!
• Heated and ventilated seats
• 16-speaker sound system with headrest speakers
• Panoramic roof
• Wireless charging
• Full connectivity

Some of it is a bit gimmicky, sure. But a lot of it is genuinely useful. Material quality is decent too. Not quite Volvo levels, but certainly not bargain-basement either.

TRIMS, PRICES & EQUIPMENT TABLE 

Trim	Price (OTR)	Key Features
SE	£31,990	15.4” touchscreen, digital cluster, Apple CarPlay, heat pump, adaptive cruise, LED lights, heated seats
Pro	£33,990	Larger wheels, upgraded materials, additional comfort features
Max	£36,990	Panoramic roof, head-up display, 16-speaker audio, heated/ventilated/massage seats, ambient lighting, power tailgate

Driving – comfortable, easy, and exactly what it needs to be

Out on the road, the EX5 behaves pretty much exactly as you’d expect a modern electric family SUV to behave, which is to say it prioritises ease, smoothness and predictability over outright excitement. It’s powered by a single electric motor producing 218bhp and 320Nm of torque, driving the front wheels, and while the official 0–62mph time of around seven seconds suggests respectable performance, this is not a car that’s trying to thrill you. Instead, it delivers its performance in a calm, measured way; press the accelerator and it moves off cleanly and quietly, building speed in a manner that feels more reassuring than exhilarating.

Push on a bit harder and you begin to notice the characteristics of its front-wheel-drive layout. There’s a hint of understeer if you’re enthusiastic through corners, and in damp conditions you can occasionally feel the front wheels working to find grip as you feed in the power. It’s never dramatic or unsettling, but it is there, a gentle reminder that this is not a performance-focused machine. Then again, that’s not what the EX5 is about. This is a car designed to be easy to drive, and in that respect, it succeeds very well.

The steering is light and undemanding, visibility is excellent, and the overall driving experience is one of effortlessness. Around town, where most of these cars are likely to spend the majority of their time, it feels entirely at home. It’s easy to place on the road, simple to manoeuvre through traffic, and generally quite confidence-inspiring from behind the wheel. Ride quality is also commendable. You do feel some of the road surface, particularly on the larger wheels fitted to higher trims, but the suspension keeps things well controlled. It’s not overly soft, nor is it harsh; instead, it strikes a reasonable balance that makes it comfortable enough for daily use.

Out on the motorway, it settles into a relaxed cruise. Wind noise is minimal, road noise is well suppressed, and the whole experience is calm and composed. It’s the kind of car that encourages you to just sit back, let it do its thing, and get on with the journey.

Range and charging – good, but be realistic

When it comes to range, the numbers are fairly typical for this class, though they do require a bit of context. Officially, the EX5 offers up to 267 miles WLTP in entry-level SE form, while the higher-spec Max model drops slightly to around 255 miles. At first glance, that might seem counterintuitive, but the explanation is straightforward: the more expensive version carries more equipment, additional weight and larger wheels, all of which have an impact on efficiency despite the battery and powertrain remaining the same.

In real-world driving, what I found aligns with what you’d expect from most electric vehicles today. You’re looking at roughly twenty percent less than the official figures, particularly if your driving includes a mix of urban use and motorway miles. That translates to a usable range of somewhere in the region of 200 to 220 miles, depending on conditions, driving style and temperature. It’s not class-leading, but it’s perfectly acceptable for the intended purpose of this car, especially as a daily driver or family vehicle.

Charging, however, is a strong point. With support for up to 160kW DC rapid charging, the EX5 can go from 30 to 80 percent in around 20 minutes under optimal conditions, which is competitive. At home, the standard 11kW AC onboard charger allows for relatively quick overnight charging, particularly if you have access to a suitable wallbox. The inclusion of a heat pump as standard is also welcome, helping to maintain efficiency in colder weather, something that can make a noticeable difference in real-world usage.

So… is it like a Volvo or Polestar?

This is perhaps the most obvious question surrounding the EX5, given Geely’s ownership of both Volvo and Polestar. And the honest answer is that while you can sense some shared thinking in the design philosophy, layout and general approach to technology, this is not simply a rebadged version of either.

What it does feel like is a car developed within the same wider ecosystem, benefiting from similar engineering principles and lessons learned across the group, but packaged in a way that makes it far more accessible. There’s a certain familiarity in the minimalism, in the way the cabin is laid out, and in the emphasis on usability and safety, but it stops short of delivering the same level of polish or refinement you’d expect from those more premium brands.

And that’s entirely deliberate. This is Geely positioning itself as a value-driven alternative, rather than trying to undercut its own premium offerings.

Verdict – quietly impressive, and very hard to ignore

So where does that leave the Geely EX5? In many ways, it’s a car that makes more sense the longer you spend with it. It’s not perfect, and it doesn’t try to be. It won’t thrill you on a twisty road, and its range, while decent, isn’t exceptional. The brand itself is still unfamiliar to many UK buyers, which may give some people pause.

But look beyond that, and what you have here is a spacious, comfortable and well-equipped electric SUV that is easy to live with and surprisingly complete for the money. It does the fundamentals well, it offers a generous amount of technology and features, and it delivers a driving experience that is relaxed, predictable and entirely suited to everyday use.

Most importantly, it is very competitively priced. In a market where electric vehicles are becoming increasingly expensive and, in some cases, unnecessarily complicated, there’s something refreshingly straightforward about the EX5’s approach. It focuses on what most people actually need, rather than what looks impressive on a spec sheet.

If you’re not overly concerned about badge prestige and are simply looking for a solid, practical electric family car that represents good value, then this is absolutely one worth considering. Geely may be new to the UK under its own name, but with a product like this, it’s clear they’ve been paying very close attention.

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