The second Geely model to hit Australian showrooms, the Starray EM-i, has landed and it’s aimed at the hearts of budget-minded customers seeking a decent plug-in hybrid SUV.
With nearly 3000 units of the EX5 EV shifted to the end of August 2025 (VFACTS), Geely hopes the Starray EM-i will entice buyers away from the likes of Chery and MG as well as other established players such as Toyota and Hyundai. To that end, there are some tempting introductory offers aimed at capitalising on the brand’s already decent momentum.
Driving Enthusiast was invited to the launch of the new model to experience it on a variety of roads from Sydney to the Hunter Valley.
2026 Geely Starray EM-i: Specifications
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder PHEV
Output: 193kW
Gearbox: Single-speed auto, FWD
Wheels: F & R: 18×8.0, 275/65Kerb weight: 1730-1770kg
Official consumption: 2.4L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 51L/95 RON
0-100km/h (claimed): 8.0 seconds
Starting price (RRP): $37,490-39,990
2026 Geely Starray EM-i: How much does it cost?
At $37,490 before on-roads for the entry Complete, and $39,990 for the Inspire, the Starray EM-i line comes in under $40k. That makes it almost the most affordable PHEV in the mid-size SUV bracket, undercutting all but the sharply-priced Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid.
Early buyers are eligible for the ‘Premium Offer’ running until the end of November, 2025: either a 3.88 per cent comparison finance rate or three years of complimentary servicing, plus a Type 2 home charging cable and premium paint free of charge.
2026 Geely Starray EM-i: Interior & packaging
At 4705mm long, 1905mm wide, 1680mm tall, and sitting on a 2815mm wheelbase, the Starray falls squarely in the midsize bracket – roughly the footprint of a Toyota RAV4 but a little wider and lower, which gives it a planted stance. The design philosophy is minimalist and tech-led with soft edges.
Up front, a bold fascia incorporates a layered LED headlamp treatment with 264 individual diodes, capable of projecting light up to 184 metres. It has a confident appearance with some Honda ZR-V vibes about it – not a bad thing at all. It’s a mature yet inoffensive design with some nice colour choices. Geely makes a song and dance about the 0.288Cd, which is decent for an SUV, if not headline-grabbing.
Open the doors and the aesthetic is very similar to the EX5. A sweeping, angled console separates driver and passenger, with neatly placed vents and a phone charger (for the driver). A crisp and responsive 15.4-inch infotainment screen incorporates some cute screensavers of small animals as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In front of the driver there is a 10.2-inch instrument panel with information clearly delivered. 30 storage cubbies are sure to appeal to families while the rear seat accomodation is brilliant with ventilation, USBs and a completely flat floor.
If you opt for the Inspire for $2500 more, you get a panoramic sunroof, a 13.4-inch head-up display, 16-speaker Flyme sound system with headrest-mounted speakers, ventilated front seats, electric tailgate and 19-inch alloys in lieu of the Complete’s 18-inch wheels.
Boot space varies from 428 litres with the second row in play, up to a whopping 2065L when the rear seats and front passenger seat are lowered.
2026 Geely Starray EM-i: Powertrain & handling
The first leg of the journey encompassed highway driving with a twisty backroad thrown in for good measure, and it acquitted itself far better than expected in both scenarios. It’s a hushed and relaxing companion on the freeway, superbly insulated from wind, tyre noise and road roar. The ergonomically designed seats, which apparently take 1.3kg of load off your spine, are cosseting and add to the overall serenity of the driving experience. We also appreciate the head cushions mounted on the headrest.
Acceleration is always decent, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.0 seconds. The engine can become coarse and obnoxious when the accelerator is mashed into the carpet, but is hushed the rest of the time, even with a depleted battery. It would appear Geely has done a better job at balancing the two powertrains than the notoriously noisy MG ZS Hybrid.
For the second half of the journey, the battery had been depleted with fuel consumption showing 4.4L/100km. When we arrived at our destination, the average was a still-impressive 5.5L/100km.
What surprised us the most was the capability of the chassis. Unlike the Chery, the steering is in sync with the chassis, with linear progressions from centre. It’s not brimming with feel but good by Chinese car standards. The all-aluminium muti-link rear suspension was apparently developed with input from Geely-owned Lotus, and it definitely shows some dexterity. Body roll is well-contained and you can even get the rear end to tuck in and sharpen your cornering arc on the apex.
Powertrain-wise, the Starray pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder with an integrated 11-in-1 e-drive unit, housing two electric motors. Drive is sent to the front wheels only,. The e-side produces 160kW and 262Nm, supplemented by the petrol engine when called upon. Total system output is 193kW.
Energy comes from an 18.4kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, good for a WLTP-rated 83km of pure electric driving range, with a total claimed range of 943km when combined with the fuel tank. It does require 95 RON fuel, though.
Charging is taken care of via AC at 6.6kW maximum or DC at 30kW, the latter topping from 30 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes. Vehicle-to-Load functionality is also fitted, with up to 6kW of power available for camping or appliances.
As you’d expect from the company which owns Volvo, the Starray EM-i is not short on safety. Seven airbags are standard, joined by a suite of driver assistance technologies; AEB, adaptive cruise with lane-centre assist, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts with automatic braking, multi-collision braking, pedestrian alert, fatigue detection and more.
In practise, we found the attention monitor overzealous and distracting, and more difficult to defeat than it should be. Geely would do well to follow the MG S5’s lead by having a one-press favourites button to memorise preferred settings. Better yet, it could keep them off altogether like Subaru and some European examples.
Warranty coverage is strong; seven years/unlimited kilometres for the vehicle, eight years for the high-voltage battery, assured-price servicing at 12 month or 15,000km intervals, and up to seven years of roadside assist, provided you service it with Geely.
Assured-price servicing is different to capped price, as it basically means the prices can change in the transition to the new year based on inflation.
2026 Geely Starray EM-i: First impressions
With this multi-faceted assault from all angles, it’s hard to imagine the Starray EM-i won’t do quite well. Nothing short of a multi-pronged attack would break through the noise of one of Australia’s most crowded segments.
By no stretch of the imagination is this an enthusiast’s SUV but it’s a competent choice for families focused on practicality and affordability.
2026 Geely Starray EM-i: Video
