Overview

CHINESE conglomerate Geely Auto is making a move into the new car space here with a medium-size fully electric SUV called the EX5.

The EX5 will be available in two grades, Complete and Inspire, the latter the subject of this review.

Pricing is still secret, tipped to fall between $49,000 and $55,000. But it isn’t known if that will exclude on-road costs or be drive-away…

At the speculated ask, it puts the EX5 directly in the firing line of other eerily similar models from China including the Xpeng G6, Deepal S07, Leapmotor C10, and the Zeekr X to name a few along with established players like the Tesla Model Y.

No doubt Geely has the financial resources to take on all of them, but kicking off with a car in the most competitive segment Down Under may be a touch optimistic for a complete unknown – balanced against the fact that Geely has plenty of other models to slot in should they be needed.

Using the nomenclature ‘EX’ is also problematic as it’s already used by Geely brand Volvo for its EX30 small SUV offering…

The EX5 Inspire is a five-seat offering with a single front-mounted-motor driving the front wheels. It rides on Geely’s GEA architecture also used in hybrid format in models available overseas.

Maximum power from the compact, 80kg “optimised” permanent magnet synchronous motor is 160kW complemented by 320Nm of torque, figures comparable with many in Geely’s competitor set.

Electrons emanate from a latest tech lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) short blade battery rated at a smidge over 60kWh rechargeable at 11kWh domestically (AC) or with a 100kW fast charger (DC).

Geely claims the EX5 Inspire uses power at an average 16.6kW per 100km, a little less for the lighter Complete variant giving a claimed range of 410km for the former and 430km for the latter.

Both feature V2L and V2V functionality.

The chassis has a reinforced under tray protecting the battery but omits a spare wheel, relying instead on a tyre reinflation kit.

The EX5 Inspire rolls on 19-inch alloys, (18s on the Complete) and is suspended on a strut front and multi-link rear suspension arrangemnt. Acceleration from 0-100kmh is a claimed 7.1 seconds for the Inspire tested and 6.9 for the Complete.

The test EX5 Inspire is feature rich and includes LED lighting, keyless entry and start, a panoramic glass roof, electric tailgate, a 15.4-inch touchscreen media system with native sat nav, and smartphone mirroring tech.

Also included on the Inspire variant is a 1000 watt 16-speaker Flyme sound system (including front headrest speakers), 10.25-inch driver info screen, head-up display, dual-zone climate control, and electrically adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions.

An extensive array of primary and secondary active and passive safety equipment is fitted encompassing 16 ADAS features.

The model also runs Geely’s connected car technology capable of OTA updates, diagnostics, remote feature activations and communication capability.

Driving Impressions

Geely is pitching the smooth, cloned-looking EX5 at tech-obsessed family buyers – presumably city-centric judging by brand’s dealership locations and the specifications of the car.

The EX5 is said to have been benchmarked for Australian roads with third party assessments including the ADAS calibration. Frankly, the system doesn’t gel, the EX5 jumping at shadows on our evaluation drive out of Sydney creating a frustrating experience behind the ‘wheel.

The Inspire variant, tested over a 300km test loop, is otherwise quite luxurious with a type of leather upholstery and all manner of digital tech accessed via a multi-menu-driven 15.4-inch screen.

Herein lies a problem…

Too many of the vehicle’s functions are thusly controlled which means taking your eyes off the road if you are one up. Though we looked earnestly, a favourites button or selection couldn’t be found, so setting the car up how you want is mandated with each drive.

Like sister brand Polestar, the EX5 doesn’t have an off or on switch and, call us old school, it just doesn’t sit right with us as we prefer to know the vehicle is on or off thereby avoiding any “surprises”.

The interior is highlighted by a pleasing trapezoid shape wheel with a wider squared off bottom compared with the top… trending towards a yoke set-up but the gear selector is on the steering column right and is too easily knocked into neutral with predictable results.

All seats are comfortable and well bolstered apart from the centre rear with multiple adjustability and heating cooling to the fronts (and an extendable calf rest on the front passenger side).

The driving position is good with info’ displayed on a neat and compact driver’s pod and a heads-up display. Audio reproduction is sensational from the 1000-watt audio system and yes, the speakers incorporated into the headrests are great.

The cabin has a pleasing minimalist feel and look and is a good space to spend a lot of travel time with enough expandable load space for plenty of luggage and an auto tailgate. The sunroof is big and the A pillars thin enough to provide comfortable driver visibility.

Dual phone chargers are appreciated as are the bright LED lights and the V2L and V2V functions.

We drove the EX5 in the city, through the suburbs then on all types of roads including freeways country B roads and tight mountain runs and it’s immediately obvious the dynamics are calibrated for comfort.

It floats over rough surfaces and is tarnished by bump steer that causes the ‘wheel to deflect in your hands when a road irregularity is encountered while cornering. It also shows a fair degree of body roll and an imprecise steering action, combining with the podgy kerb weight to result in untidy handling. This is not a ‘Sports’ Utility Vehicle by any stretch.

We were also disappointed to find the range came nowhere near the maker’s claim... We saw 370km after a full overnight recharge, that number quickly falling when operating the car with the climate control switched on and when driving at freeway speeds.

On reflection, Geely might have chosen a different model to kick off the brand Down Under. The EX5 is simply too much like its many rivals and in no way what Aussie buyers might expect on the road.

In an already crowded market, the EX5 lacks the wow-factor needed to give the brand its start.

Let’s hope the brand’s subsequent offerings improve.