Summary: There are some niggles with the Geely Starray EM-i but overall, it’s a good package for the price. We just wish it had a name we can get our tongue around.

2025 Geely Starray EM-i mid-size PHEV SUV

Pricing:  from $38,960 (Complete, driveaway), $41,460 (Inspire, driveaway)

Warranty: Seven-years/unlimited km, one-year roadside assist

Safety: yet to be tested

Engine: 1.5-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine

Battery: 18.4kWh

Service intervals: 12 months or 15,000km

Power: 73kW

Torque: 125Nm

Transmission: CVT single-speed auto, front-wheel drive

Body: 4740mm (long); 1905mm (wide); 1685mm (high)

Build country: China

Kerb weight: 1770kg

Towing capacity: not stated

Luggage storage: 428L (all seats upright), 528 (expanded), 2065L (second row folded)

Wheels: 18-inch alloy (Complete), 19-inch alloy (Inspire)

Tyres: 225/55 R18 (Complete), 235/50 R19 (Inspire)

Spare wheel: puncture repair kit

Turning circle: not stated

Ground clearance: 172mm

Fuel tank: 51 litres

Claimed consumption: 2.4L/100km (95 RON unleaded)

Claimed electric-only range: 83km

Claimed combined range: 943km

Consumption on test: not stated

seniordriveraus consumption on test: not tested

[review]

Plug-in power without the panic

Geely has just launched its second new model onto the Australian market, and this one directly tackles the key issue of range anxiety.

Unlike Geely’s first model, the fully battery-electric EX5, the new Starray EM-i is a plug-in hybrid, a vehicle designed to blend electric and petrol power for the best of both worlds. The name might be a bit confusing, but the concept is straightforward: offer flexibility without the fear of running out of charge.

A battery that bridges the gap

The Starray EM-i has a mid-sized 18.4 kWh battery. For comparison, a traditional hybrid such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid carries only about 1.6 kWh, using the battery mainly to assist the petrol engine. A fully electric vehicle, depending on size and weight, might use anything from 50 to 100 kWh to provide its driving range.

The Starray’s battery is large enough to cover about 83 kilometres on electric power alone, which is more than enough for most people’s daily travel needs. For longer trips, the small 1.5-litre non-turbo petrol engine works with the electric motor to deliver a total rated range of 943 kilometres.

When charged regularly, Geely quotes fuel use as low as 2.4 L/100 km (WLTP). Without plug-in charging, consumption rises to around 6 L/100 km, still efficient thanks to regenerative braking and intelligent hybrid management. It does, however, require 95 RON premium petrol.

Why plug-in hybrids still matter

Australians often talk about the great outdoors and long distances between towns, but most vehicle kilometres are still driven in urban areas. Regardless of where you stand on global climate debates, there is no denying that vehicles make a significant contribution to local air pollution, with proven health impacts, especially in cities.

Plug-in hybrids like the Starray can operate silently and cleanly in urban areas, yet still take on long regional drives without worry. For many drivers who genuinely need the longer range, that is a sensible middle ground between traditional engines and full electrics.

It also gives you an advantage over the fluctuating range figures that affect many electric vehicles.

Common-sense technology

One of the most frustrating trends in modern cars is how designers, not drivers, seem to be in charge of the controls.

Some new cars bury even basic functions deep within touchscreen menus. For instance, in the Deepal S07, simply adjusting the mirrors means diving into on-screen menus to reassign steering-wheel buttons, and even then, the arrows can leave you guessing which way the mirror will move. Similarly, the Leapmotor C10 requires so much setup that the manual reads like a university programmer’s textbook written in code.

This is part of the reason Mazda continues to hold strong sales in Australia. Its models balance modern technology with an intuitive, driver-focused layout that makes sense the first time you sit behind the wheel, even if they are not class-leading in electrification or digital sophistication.

By comparison, Geely takes a more measured approach. The Starray’s interior is modern and digital, but it has not forgotten the human behind the screen. Some things may still require getting help from your children, and like nearly all modern cars, familiarisation is critical before you start driving.

Inside the cabin

Three digital displays dominate the front of the cabin: a 10.2-inch instrument cluster, a 13.8-inch head-up display, and a tall 15.4-inch central infotainment screen. Importantly, Geely has retained a slim row of physical climate buttons below the main screen. That means you can adjust the fan or temperature without hunting through menus, which is a relief for anyone who just wants to get on the road.

The steering wheel has clearly marked, conventional controls, while a gear selector stalk on the steering column frees up space on the minimalist centre console. It still uses touchscreens for most functions, but the overall setup feels more user-friendly than some of its competitors.

Rear passenger space is good, and the boot offers 428 litres with the seats up, 528 litres with them expanded, and 2065 litres when folded flat. There is no spare tyre, only a puncture repair kit for temporary fixes, a compromise increasingly common in new vehicles.*Features and safety

Both grades of the Starray come well equipped. Standard inclusions feature power front seats, traffic sign recognition, a head-up display, and a comprehensive suite of safety technologies.

If you get the up-spec model, you also receive a panoramic sunroof and extra comfort features.

The Starray provides vehicle-to-load (3.3 kW) and vehicle-to-vehicle (6 kW) power outputs, allowing owners to run tools, charge devices, or even power appliances during a blackout.

On the road

Behind the wheel, the Starray’s driving character is solid but not sporty. It feels composed and predictable, though not as dynamically refined as more established brands. You can sense its weight, and while the steering is accurate enough, it feels a touch artificial compared with some rivals.

At highway speeds, wind noise is noticeable, and the adaptive cruise control can be overly cautious, slowing unnecessarily on sweeping country roads. The lane-keep assist also trails class leaders for precision.

However, for everyday suburban driving, the Starray delivers quiet, comfortable and efficient motoring. It is easy to live with, pleasant to drive, and impressively economical when charged regularly.

It only comes in front-wheel drive, and while it is not a fast performer compared with a full battery-electric car, it is more than adequate for daily needs.

What over-50s need to know

The Geely Starray EM-i offers a refreshing take on modern mobility. It is not about outright performance or flashy digital gimmicks, but about providing a practical balance of technology, economy and usability.

It reflects a growing maturity in vehicle design, where real-world driving, comfort and environmental responsibility come together. But if you do not have the will or the facilities to regularly plug it in, then its benefits are sharply diminished.

For those who are not ready to jump fully into the electric world, the Starray EM-i is a smart and measured step in the right direction.

seniordriver comments

The Geely Starray EM-i is one of an increasing multitude of Chinese imports, although this one has the advantage of being a plug-in hybrid, rather than exclusively electric. It’s only the second of many planned models from Geely (the first was the fully-electric EX5).

It looks like we’ll have to wait a while until the Chinese understand the complexities of model names, and move away from tongue-twisters like this one. And like the majority of Chinese SUVs, the looks are particularly generic (which, we admit, is preferable to looking simply outlandish).

We’ve mentioned before that plug-in hybrids score unrealistic fuel consumption figures, but with a fully electric range of 83km, it is quite conceivable that many users will achieve or even better the quoted 2.4L/100km. Even the 6L/100km consumption if ignoring the electric input is quite reasonable.

We applaud the common-sense approach to technology, and much more intuitive controls than many others who have adopted the Tesla philosophy of using the screen to make even the simplest adjustments. Buttons and controls still have their place.

As with too many Chinese cars, driver aids can be too quick to intervene and far too abrupt when they do. We find it annoying when the cruise control reduces the speed on approach to a bend. Surprise, surprise! Some drivers actually know how to drive and can evaluate a safe speed to negotiate a bend in the road.

The Starray looks like good value, as long as you can work out how to tell your friends and neighbours what you’ve bought… we’d go with Geely Starray and drop the rest of it.

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Many of you will know David Brown from his radio program and podcast, Overdrive – Cars, Transport, Culture.

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