Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid (2026) Review

Introduction

In the increasingly deep sea of Chinese automakers flooding into the UK, Geely is one you should take particular note of. Up to now it’s had only one model on sale here – the EX5 – but the brand represents a monster in world car production, with more than four million vehicles built in 2025, and a string of better-known brands under its sizable umbrella. Volvo is Geely-owned, along with Polestar. The Hangzhou-based firm also has a majority stake in Lotus and an equal stake in Smart with Mercedes. Oh, and a 17% stake in Aston Martin.

It is, in short, a big deal, and so the arrival of its second car – the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid – is big news, because it slots into a section of the market overflowing with competent rivals. The Starray is a plug-in hybrid that throws down the gauntlet to the likes of the Jaecoo 7, the MG HS, and the BYD Sealion 5 and Seal U, and even offers a brand-new alternative to nearly-new examples of cars like the Volkswagen Tiguan e-Hybrid.

Like many of the new Chinese brands, the Geely has several aces up its sleeve. Firstly, price – it starts at just £29,990 for the entry-level model, and even the top-spec model is just £34,990. For a plug-in hybrid with an electric-only range of up to 84 miles, that’s positively peanuts; for context, an entry-level Tiguan e-Hybrid costs from £38,900.

Of course, big savings are only a win if the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid is any good. So... is it?

What are the pros and cons of the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

Pros

• Very affordable
• Choice of trims and batteries
• Long electric-only range
• Lots of standard features
• Stylish, well-made interior
• Eight-year warranty

Cons

• Anonymous styling
• Traction struggles in the wet
• Very little driver engagement
• Wallowy through corners
• Fidgety ride
• Touchscreen-heavy controls
• Unproven support network

What are the key features of the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

The headlines for the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid are that you can get a feature-packed mid-size SUV, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain packing a long electric-only range, for remarkably little money.

The Starray comes with a choice of two battery packs – 18.4kWh and 29.8kWh – giving electric-only ranges of 51 miles and 84 miles respectively, according to WLTP measurements. Both batteries come attached to a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that give a very reasonable combined output of 262PS.

Three trim levels are available – Pro, Max, and Ultra – all with a generous level of standard features, and all with a comprehensive array of active safety systems, which helps the Starray to achieve a maximum five-star score in tests by independent safety organisation Euro NCAP.

All models come with a very impressive warranty of eight years or 125,000 miles, whichever is sooner.

What engines are available in the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid and what is its battery range?

There’s just one combination of petrol engine and battery available in the Starray, but there is a choice of battery. The engine is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit developing 99PS and 125Nm of torque. However, when combined with the electric motor, that output jumps to 262PS and 262Nm. This means most of the punch comes from the electric motor, which gives the Starray instant torque for a quick response from the accelerator. The 0-62mph acceleration benchmark takes eight seconds dead, with a top speed of 105mph.

The Pro and Max-spec Starrays come with the smaller 18.4kWh battery, which gives it an electric-only range of 51 miles. That’s pretty decent by the latest standard, but the Ultra model, with its 29.8kWh battery, ups that range to 84 miles, which is right up there with the best available – not just for the money, but overall. For reference, the much-more-expensive Tiguan e-Hybrid can manage up to 77 miles.

The smaller battery can charge at up to 30kW using a DC charger, which means it can refill from 30% to 80% capacity in 20 minutes. The larger battery charges faster at 60kW, which means a 16-minute charge for the same jump in capacity.

Use a 7kW home AC charger and you can top the smaller battery up from 25% to full in three hours, or just over four-and-a-half for the larger unit. Want to know more about EV range? Check out our guide explaining electric car range!

What is the performance and driving experience like in the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

With such a low price for this type of car, you’d expect some compromises, and it’s in the driving experience of the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid that we find them. Not that it’s bad – it’s not – it’s just that it feels somewhat unpolished compared to more expensive rivals.

Geely has tuned the car for comfort and everyday use, so anyone looking for fun behind the wheel or dynamic thrills should look elsewhere. The steering is light and lacks any strong feedback, and there’s only limited body control through the corners. Drive at a cruise, and it’s absolutely fine, but try to push on even a little and the Starray will lean over in protest.

The ride is accordingly soft, and absorbs the pockmarks of poor road surfaces well, although at higher speeds it can feel a little fidgety and unsettled. It’s never uncomfortable though – “fine” would be an accurate description.

The power delivery is respectable, with a reasonable amount of oomph on tap to give you decent acceleration. The only hiccup we noticed during our test drive is that it has a tendency to spin up the wheels when pulling away from standstill, especially on a wet or low-grip surface. You’ll have to learn to be sparing with the accelerator to stop bypassers thinking you’re some kind of hooligan.

Overall, the Starray does what it needs to do to get you from A to B in comfort, but no more than that.

What are the running costs of the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

As with all plug-in hybrids, the day-to-day running costs will depend on how you use the car and if you keep it charged up. Keep your journeys short and lean on the battery and your fuel usage will be minimal. But once the battery drains and you start to rely on the petrol engine, the fuel economy will plunge.

That said, the EM-i system has been a proven performer when it comes to efficiency – at the end of 2025 it was awarded a Guinness World Record for driving the Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive, averaging around 74mpg over the 600-mile-plus route.

Charging costs will vary depending on where you charge. Home charging with a suitable off-peak tariff will be the most affordable, but public fast chargers will cost considerably more.

The Starray comes with a very generous eight-year/125,000-mile warranty. Servicing is due annually or every 10,000 miles, which is pretty typical.

What’s the interior and technology like on the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

The Starray could be accused of looking slightly generic and anonymous on the outside, but its interior feels more premium than a lot of its rivals, with tasteful styling and soft-touch surfaces where you’ll notice them the most. Everything feels well finished and screwed together and while there are other cars of this size that feel more special, they’re considerably pricier.

The design has a clean and modern look, and it feels spacious inside, with an airy vibe and good visibility thanks to large windows and a deep windscreen. The dashboard is dominated by a 15.4-inch touchscreen that serves up the infotainment and is also the hub for most of the car’s systems. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

We’ve not had a chance to delve into the system in detail, but while it’s straightforward to navigate and quick to respond, it suffers from the contemporary issue of an overreliance on touch, with fewer physical buttons than some rivals. You’ll need the screen to change temperature, and even retract the sunroof shade (standard on Max models and above).

Still, it comes bundled with cute pictures of dogs, kittens and guinea pigs for the background, if you want them, You can also put your own images on there for extra personalisation. An AI voice assistant has been programmed with more than 200 commands to adjust settings without delving through the touchscreen, but we’ve yet to try it in detail.

There’s a 10.2-inch digital driver display behind the windscreen, and Max and Ultra trims also get a head-up display projecting key driver information on the windscreen.

How is the practicality and boot space in the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

There’s a very decent amount of space in the Geely Starray, with loads of headroom in the back for even tall adults, and a flat rear floor also means middle-seat passengers will have a good amount of leg room.

There are plenty of cubby holes and storage areas dotted around, notably a large area underneath the high centre console up front, which could easily hold a handbag or a variety of road-trip snacks.

The boot measures 528 litres, which is pretty generous for a plug-in hybrid that has to cram battery storage into the car, and there’s a large under-floor storage area too, which is handy for charging cables and assorted sundries. Drop the back seats and the total load area grows to 2065 litres – again, very generous. While some rivals like the Hyundai Tucson or the Tiguan will give you more boot space still, they’re a chunk more expensive.

What safety features are on the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

Independent safety organisation Euro NCAP tested the Geely Starray EM-i in 2025 and gave it a maximum five-star score. It scored particularly well across the board – 90% for adult occupant safety, 87% for child occupant, 86% for vulnerable road users and 77% for safety assist systems.

It comes as standard with a strong suite of safety systems as standard on all models, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping and emergency lane assist, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. A 360-degree camera system is included, as is a door-open warning system and traffic sign information.

What options are available on the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

There are three versions of the Geely Starray – the Pro, the Max and the Ultra.

The Pro is the entry-level model, starting at £29,990. It’s far from spartan though – standard features include heated and electrically adjustable front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and the 15.4 inch touch screen system with the digital driver display.

The mid-range Max trim costs from £32,690 and adds several comfort and tech upgrades over the Pro. You get a head-up display showing key info projected onto the windscreen, wireless 15W phone charging and a panoramic sunroof, as well as a 1000W, 16-speaker Flyme Sound audio system and a 256-colour ambient interior lighting system.

The top spec model is the Ultra. Costing from £34,990, it adds the larger battery for a longer electric-only range, with faster DC charging.

As for options, you’ll pay £800 if you want any other paint than solid white, and you can upgrade from the black interior to white for £300.

What are the rival cars to the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid?

The most closely matched PHEV rivals to the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid include the MG HS Plug-in Hybrid, the soon-to-return Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and the BYD Sealion 5 PHEV.

However, other similar-sized cars that you might want to look at include the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Ford Kuga and the Hyundai Tucson. These will be pricier new but could be attractive as a lightly used model, offering a better driving experience than the Geely.

Verdict on the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid

The Geely Starray is a great value plug-in hybrid SUV that makes a compelling case for buyers prioritising tech, efficiency and everyday usability over driving thrills or brand prestige.

All versions have an impressive electric-only range, and the comfortable, modern interior feels tech-rich for the price, which itself is impressive. Practicality levels are high, and there’s lots of kit for your money, too, as well as a cracking warranty.

However, the driving experience is nothing to write home about, and the exterior looks are somewhat generic. There’s also the issue of the dealer network, which although growing still has big gaps on the UK map, and could put off those who aren’t near one. Things like parts supply and servicing networks are unproven, too. If you’re buying rather than leasing, the resale value of Geely down the line is still hazy, such is its newness to the UK market.

There are better cars of this type than the Geely Starray, but the price of it means many people will be more than willing to overlook its faults. And we don’t blame them.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid