The Geely Starray EM-i delivers if you want value and versatility, but one thing really let it down for me

Introduction

Lots of things are easy to live with although this isn’t always the case with cars, especially models with little in the way of personality. The Geely Starray EM-i is so innocuous I had to double check what I had on my drive to know what it was.

While many folks opine about the rise of faceless electric SUVs from China, Geely has actually delivered a bit of a gem with this plug-in hybrid. Usefully it can deliver up to 51 miles using electric power alone – or 84 depending on the battery version. That’s impressive and highly practical for those blessed with a home charger.

The Starray EM-i follows hot on the heels of Geely’s other UK arrival, the EX5, which is fully electric and seems to have been well received thus far. Both aren’t exactly horrible to look at, but they’re not great examples of cutting-edge design. Nevertheless, right now lots of people are more worried about price than the statement they’re making, and that’s where the Starray EM-i really delivers.

There are three model variants on offer: the Pro, the Max as reviewed here, and the Ultra. The range kicks off at a smidgen under £30,000, which rises to £33,000 if you want all the trimmings of a car like the Ultra. The Max I’ve been testing costs £32,690. That is a lot of car for the money, meaning the Starray EM-i can happily compete with all those other Chinese brands including Zeekr. Which, yes, Geely also owns.

And remember, Geely might not mean much to you, but they are involved with several other well-known car brands including Volvo, Polestar, Smart and even Lotus, so there are solid foundations behind this car.

The styling

Taking my first walk around the Geely Starray EM-i had me wondering if I’d been left with a fully electric EX5 by mistake. Considering there’s a petrol engine lurking somewhere under the bonnet, there was precious little to suggest its presence. The front end is super smooth, as per an EV design, with only a small grille at the bottom of the bumper to cool the engine. Only the presence of filler caps on both sides of the car reminded me that this thing could be powered with a plug or petrol.

Sleek and sizable daytime running lights sit delicately under the lip of the bonnet, while the main headlight clusters are perched lower down in the angular folds of the front bumper. The Geely logo looked like it was going to be instantly forgettable but, cleverly, this seemed to help with remembering what I’d had delivered. I quite liked the 19in alloys and a set of Goodyear tyres at each corner rounded out the quality look and feel, with plenty of sidewall making the car sit at acceptably high SUV levels.

Sitting inside the Starray EM-I was reminiscent of the interior of, well, any other Chinese SUV I’ve been in recently. While there wasn’t a huge amount of identity on offer, everything else was present and correct. That included really comfortable leather-like seats, a practical layout that provided plenty of storage throughout and a vibe that was generally of a high quality. Even the ever-prevalent plastic trim is nicely done, with the central console looking especially good thanks to its printed pattern effect lifting the mood.

I was also very impressed with the space levels. Both the front and back rows felt very generous, and this was made even more pleasant by the expansive glass roof. Add in a sizeable boot space, which can obviously be adapted by some rear seat tweaking, and the Starray EM-I feels perfectly suited to families or folks who have stuff to get from one place to another.

The drive

Just like several other recent Chinese arrivals, the Geely Starray EM-i doesn’t have an on and off button. The moment I walked up to it the SUV unlocked; I got in and the digital instrument panel and infotainment screens came alive. After setting my driving position, which was largely done using the central touchscreen to get the door mirrors to my liking, I used to column-mounted shifter to select Drive and the car was ready to go. First up, the initial momentum was incredibly smooth and quiet too thanks to the electric aspect of the powertrain.

Naturally, once I’d given the accelerator a bit more of a push, the 1.5-litre petrol engine kicked in, which was less quiet. The underlying thrum of the combustion engine wasn’t bad, mind, and I felt I could live with it if I owned one. Switching between combustion and electric was reasonably understated too, so overall I’d say the powertrain refinement is very good considering the price point of this SUV. Overall efficiency in the mid-mpg area was respectable enough I felt given the size and weight of the car.

As my time with the Starray EM-i went on, I grew to rather like this SUV. Sure, it was pretty easy to inadvertently spin the wheels setting off on damp surfaces and there was some bounciness added to everyday driving. However, on our cruddy roads, I felt this was something of a blessing, even though the Starray EM-i didn’t feel like it encouraged taking corners with the hammer down. Body roll was definitely evident, although not as pronounced as expected. Generally, though, the Starray EM-i is a low-stress, minimal effort kind of vehicle.

As someone who can charge at home, I’d be more than happy to make use of the overnight charging appeal of the Starray EM-i. However, anyone using it out and about can also make use of rapid charging capability – up to 30kW on the smaller battery and up to 60kW for the bigger power pack. So, it’d be overnight at 7kW for me, which is super cheap, while a commercial charger would only take around 20 minutes to top up, though would obviously cost more.

The technology

Persistence was the key to having success with the tech controlled through the Geely Starray’s sizeable infotainment screen. As is the case with many Chinese models, the bulk of the controls sit within this colourful arena and, the more I used it, I found quick access controls to things like the deliciously warming heated seats and door mirror adjustment were less of a fuss than some models I’ve encountered. The colour and definition was solid too, while everyday usability was improved by a similarly crisp head-up display.

The Starray EM-I also featured a neat and very pronounced scroll wheel on the central console that was handy for eyes-on-the-road volume adjustment. Elsewhere, the wireless charging pads were welcomed as were a peppering of power ports and cable free Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The bespoke satellite navigation map seemed to work quite well, as did the voice control when I set up a couple of routes, although the graphics aren’t quite as snazzy as something found in comparable European products. Remember the asking price though…

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) is also offered with the Starray EM-i, which means charging a laptop or appliance is perfectly doable. Considering the cost of this car, I’d say it’s an impressive showing, although the steering wheel looks a bit odd even if it does have a selection of quick access buttons to features and functions by way of compensation.

Geely Starray EM-i MAX verdict

I think the Geely Starray EM-I is a great car for the money and, if it’s going to be used by owners who tend to do lots of localised runs close to home, also have home charging and need space, it’s a serious contender. That said, it feels rather interchangeable with other Chinese products from the likes of BYD, Chery, Jaecoo and MG.

Less impressive are the looks, which, except for one or two design flourishes, leaves little to remember it by. That goes for the exterior and interior, although the latter does come festooned with all the tech accoutrements anyone could ask for, including a quite sprightly Flyme audio system (no, I’ve no idea either) that boasts plenty of speakers.

Geely Starray EM-i MAX technical specifications