The Starray is Geely’s first plug-in hybrid model to arrive in the UK. (Cameron Richards)
Another week, another Chinese car manufacturer arrives on Britain’s shores, and this time it’s Geely.
But before you jump to conclusions, Geely is one of China’s largest and oldest car manufacturers. Plus, it owns a large chunk of well-established European brands such as Lotus, Smart, Polestar, Volvo and LEVC – the makers of London’s black cab.
The Starray is Geely’s first plug-in hybrid SUV and rivals the Ford Kuga and MG HS, offering an electric-only range of more than 50 miles and a combined fuel range of more than 500 miles.
Updates
It uses the firm’s ‘EM-i’ powertrain. (Cameron Richards)
The Starray sits below Geely’s EX5 electric SUV and brings the latest onboard AI technology and the firm’s ‘EM-i’ plug-in hybrid powertrain.
EM-i stands for ‘E-Motive Intelligence’ and is the brand’s answer to BYD’s ‘DM-i’ powertrain, offering the convenience of a petrol engine alongside the efficiency, economy and low emissions of an EV.
Inside, the cabin is very minimalist, while the car boasts lots of premium-feeling materials and comes with an abundance of standard equipment.
Engines and transmissions
The PHEV setup provides a claimed electric-only range of up to 51 miles. (Cameron Richards)
Every Geely Starray is equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor and an 18.4kWh battery pack.
The setup produces 258bhp and 262Nm of torque, while the car can accelerate from 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds and will reach a top speed of 105mph.
The onboard 18.4kWh battery pack enables a claimed electric-only range of up to 51 miles, while the car can travel more than 500 miles on one tank of fuel.
Unlike some of the Starray’s rivals, the battery pack is compatible with 30kW DC rapid charging, allowing a 30 to 80 per cent charge to be completed in 20 minutes.
If you opt for the flagship Ultra model, it’s hooked up to a larger 29.8kWh unit, which Geely claims extends the car’s electric-only range to 84 miles. It can be topped up at speeds of 60kW from a DC charger, enabling the battery to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 16 minutes.
Behind the wheel
The Starray isn’t the most sophisticated car in its class. (Cameron Richards)
Get behind the wheel, and you’ll soon start to realise how refined Geely’s EM-i plug-in hybrid setup is.
The whisper-quiet petrol engine and seamless transition to electric power makes you think you’re driving an EV, while the cabin is well insulated from road, wind and tyre noise at motorway speeds.
Around town, the large glass area, elongated driving position and tight turning circle makes this big family wagon easier to manoeuvre than you might think.
On the open road, the Starray starts to feel out of its depth, with a lot of body lean around corners, while the steering is inert and lacks any feel. Throw the car into a bend and the chassis pitches and wallows, while applying too much throttle when exiting a corner causes the front tyres to spin.
Then there’s the economy. Geely claims the Starray can achieve up to 117mpg on the combined cycle; however, over 500 miles of driving, we averaged between 50mpg and 55mpg – way off the manufacturer’s claimed WLTP figure.
Styling
Its exterior design is very generic. (Cameron Richards)
When it comes to the Starray’s design, it’s difficult to find something that stands out, as it looks like every other generic SUV.
At the back, there is a hint of Porsche Cayenne with the single rear light bar and pronounced tailgate. Down the side, the thick wheel arch extensions and chrome trim reflect the car’s rugged yet premium image, while the front end brings a single wraparound lightbar and smoothed-off front bumper.
It’s hard to get excited about the Starray’s looks, but it’s also hard to be put off by them.
Interior and practicality
The interior has a very minimalist design. (Cameron Richards)
The Starray’s interior design looks like that of many other Chinese SUVs, with a minimalist yet premium look.
There are four physical buttons for the climate control, while there is a rotary dial that can adjust the volume of the radio – a double tap can alter it to adjust it to the fan speed.
All the materials feel soft and are high quality, while most of the car’s controls are buried within a 15.4-inch central infotainment system, which can make it tricky to operate certain functions on the move.
In terms of storage, there’s plenty of space for your bits and bobs, with a glovebox, a large storage cut-out under the centre console, two cup holders, wide doorbins and a deep compartment under the centre armrest.
There’s plenty of space in the back for rear-seat occupants, thanks to the car’s completely flat floor, which allows three people to sit in the back without compromising foot space. Headroom, legroom and kneeroom are also plentiful, while there is additional storage found in the centre armrest with two more cup holders. Furthermore, the back is complemented with two seat back pockets and large rear door bins.
The Max and Ultra models come with a powered tailgate, while there is an impressive 528 litres of boot space on offer – that’s 21 litres more than an MG HS plug-in hybrid. The 60:40 split-folding rear seat lies completely flat, expanding the overall volume to a whopping 2,065 litres. The Starray also comes with a handy underfloor storage area, which is big enough to stow the charging cables and three-pin power socket.
Prices and trim levels
The range kicks off with the entry-level Pro at £29,990. (Cameron Richards)
Geely doesn’t compromise on standard equipment with the Starray, with even the entry-level car loaded with kit.
Pro (£29,990): The entry-level model comes brimming with all the bells and whistles, including a 360-degree surround camera, keyless entry and go, synthetic leather upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Max (£32,690): The mid-level Max boasts a 13.8-inch head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, a wireless smartphone charger, a powered tailgate, a 16-speaker Flyme premium sound system and ventilated front seats.
Ultra (£34,990): Ultra is the flagship model and is fitted with the larger 29.8kWh battery pack, which enables a claimed electric-only range of up to 84 miles and a combined driving range of 618 miles.
The Starray also boasts a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which allows electrical appliances such as a portable coffee machine to be plugged in using the car’s onboard battery pack.
Verdict
The Starray is a good effort from Geely, though it’s not a class leader and struggles to stand out in an overcrowded market.
Its spacious cabin, premium-feeling materials and impressive electric-only range is enticing, although its below average driving dynamics and drab exterior design means rivals overshadow this Chinese alternative in a lot of key areas.
However, with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, generous equipment levels and a choice of two battery options, the Starray offers plenty of up-to-date technology wrapped up in an affordable package. For some buyers, that could be more than enough.
RATING: ★ ★ ★☆☆
Pros:
Spacious cabin
Premium-feeling materials
Lots of storage
Good value for money
Clever plug-in hybrid setup
Cons:
Dull exterior design
Below average driving dynamics
Boring to drive
Interior ergonomics
FACTS & FIGURES
Model we’ve tested: Geely Starray EM-i Max 18.4kWh
Price of test car: £33,490
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol with electric motor and 18.4kWh battery
Power: 258bhp
Torque: 262Nm
0-60mph: 7.8 seconds
Top speed: 105mph
MPG: 117mpg
CO2 emissions: 54g/km
Electric-only range: 51 miles
Maximum charge speed: 30kW
