Chinese automaker Geely just planted its flag in Britain’s electric vehicle battleground with pricing aggressive enough to make legacy brands recalculate their spreadsheets and a feature list that raises uncomfortable questions about what UK buyers have been paying premiums for.
The Geely EX5 officially launched in the UK in October 2025, marking Geely Auto’s first direct consumer push into Britain despite the parent company’s decade-long influence through ownership of Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and LEVC, whose electric black cabs already navigate London’s streets. The all-electric family SUV starts at £31,990 for the SE trim, climbing to £36,990 for the range-topping Max, but promotional incentives slash those figures dramatically. Geely’s temporary “EV Grant” knocks up to £3,750 off sticker prices through year-end 2025, dropping entry pricing to £29,690—territory that severely undercuts rivals like the VW ID.4 and nibbles at the heels of the Kia EV3 whilst delivering more standard equipment than either. Throw in sweeteners like complimentary home chargers or guaranteed trade-in values, and the value proposition becomes genuinely difficult to ignore for families navigating Britain’s cost-of-living squeeze and escalating energy bills.
The EX5 measures 4,615mm in length with a wheelbase engineered for interior space rather than sporting pretensions. With smooth aerodynamic curves, slim LED headlights, and the obligatory closed grille of electric architecture, its design language skews minimalist. Reviews consistently describe the exterior as inoffensive, functional, perhaps bland compared to more ostentatious Chinese EVs flooding European markets, but perfectly calibrated for suburban school runs and motorway commutes. What catches attention sits inside—a cabin quality level that punches well above its price point, featuring soft artificial leather, asymmetric stitching, and patterned seats that wouldn’t look out of place in vehicles costing £10,000 more. The rear quarters deliver palatial legroom courtesy of a flat floor, reclining seats with adjustable angles, USB charging ports, and thoughtful touches like proper armrests. Boot capacity reveals the compromise: 410 litres with seats upright, expandable beyond 1,300 litres when folded, plus 51 litres of underfloor storage.
Power comes from a single 160kW (218bhp) electric motor spinning the front wheels, delivering 320Nm of torque and a 0-62mph sprint in 6.9 seconds for lighter trims, stretching to 7.1 for heavier Max variants. The 60.2kWh lithium iron phosphate battery returns an official WLTP range of 255-267 miles, translating to efficiency around 3.7-3.9 miles per kilowatt-hour. Real-world figures will inevitably skew lower during winter motorway slogs, though Geely’s decision to use LFP chemistry prioritises longevity and thermal stability over ultimate energy density. Charging specifications hit 160kW DC fast charging for 30-80 percent top-ups in 20-28 minutes, whilst 7kW AC requires roughly six hours for complete replenishment. Vehicle-to-load functionality at 3.3kW enables powering external devices—useful for camping trips or emergency backup during power cuts.
Driving impressions highlight smooth, silent urban operation with seamless power delivery and a refined motorway demeanour tailored for UK roads. Lotus Engineering’s suspension tuning keeps the car composed on B-roads with controlled body movement, though the steering stays deliberately muted and the suspension firms up over expansion joints, showing some fidgeting on rougher tarmac.
Three regenerative braking levels give you a clear range of adjustment, but they don’t reach full one-pedal driving like many rivals now offer. It won’t impress drivers chasing sharp engagement, but reviewers note its balance and polish stand above many Chinese EVs that focus more on raw speed than refinement. For the real target buyer—families on school runs and commuters dealing with daily traffic—the missing sporting edge won’t matter.
Technology integration centres on a 15.4-inch touchscreen running Flyme Auto with sharp graphics, wireless Apple CarPlay at launch, and Android Auto promised via future updates. A customisable clickwheel console supplements touch controls, whilst the 13.8-inch head-up display projects navigation and safety information. Voice control responds to “Hi Geely” commands, and premium audio scales to 16 speakers with 1,000W amplification in top trims. The comprehensive advanced driver assistance suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and even evasive manoeuvre assist—all standard across the range. Reviews split on execution: some appreciate the safety net, others criticise systems as overly intrusive, delivering bossy alerts that feel controlling rather than assistive. The frequency of interventions suggests calibration tuned for cautious drivers rather than confident ones.
Trim levels build logically. The SE baseline includes heated steering, 360-degree cameras, and core ADAS features. Pro specification adds larger alloy wheels and enhanced convenience equipment. The Max variant splashes luxury touches like massaging front seats, panoramic sunroof, and the full 16-speaker audio rig. Every EX5 carries an eight-year warranty covering vehicle and battery—coverage exceeding most European competitors and signalling confidence in long-term durability. Safety credentials arrive validated: five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP ratings, seven airbags, and structural engineering featuring Geely’s “Cloverleaf” energy dissipation system designed to redirect impact forces away from occupants.
The UK launch sits within broader European ambitions. Geely targets 100,000 annual sales across Europe by 2030, supported by rapid dealer network expansion from 25 outlets at launch toward 100 by 2026. More models—including plug-in hybrids addressing buyers not ready for pure battery-electric—queue for 2026 introductions. Fleet sales receive particular attention, with commercial incentives and service packages tailored for corporate buyers managing vehicle portfolios. Social media activity from Geely Auto UK emphasises intelligent design and everyday usability, whilst early customer deliveries generate positive owner testimonials around value and refinement.
Competitive positioning reveals strategic calculation. The EX5 slots beneath premium European EVs on price whilst matching or exceeding equipment levels, creating awkward conversations for brands charging £40,000-plus for comparable specifications. Against Chinese rivals like the Jaecoo E5 or Leapmotor C10, Geely’s Lotus-tuned dynamics and established brand heritage through Volvo/Lotus associations provide differentiation beyond pure specification wars. The Kia EV3 offers superior range with larger battery options but commands higher pricing, particularly for well-equipped variants. The Skoda Elroq delivers comparable value with stronger European brand recognition but can’t quite match the EX5’s interior quality at equivalent price points.
Range figures warrant scrutiny. The 267-mile WLTP maximum sits adequate rather than impressive, falling short of 300-mile-plus competitors increasingly considered the psychological threshold for mainstream acceptance. Geely’s Chinese-market materials reference CLTC figures approaching 329 miles—a more optimistic testing cycle that explains promotional variance—but UK buyers should plan around the conservative WLTP numbers. For urban and suburban use covering perhaps 30-50 miles daily, the range proves ample with weekly charging. Longer motorway journeys require planning, though Britain’s reasonably dense rapid-charging infrastructure mitigates concerns for most users.
The elephant in every Chinese EV review remains geopolitics. European Union tariffs on Chinese-manufactured EVs—rising to 45 percent for some manufacturers following anti-subsidy investigations—reshape competitive dynamics, though Geely’s existing European manufacturing footprint through Volvo facilities offers potential production flexibility. UK post-Brexit positioning creates different trade dynamics, but government policy shifts regarding Chinese technology integration in critical national infrastructure introduce uncertainty. None of this affects immediate buying decisions, yet it colours long-term brand perception and resale value speculation.
Early reviews split predictably. Mainstream outlets praise value, space, and refinement whilst noting firmness and occasionally intrusive technology. Enthusiast publications acknowledge competence but lament dynamism. Owner feedback through forums and social media skews positive, emphasising practical daily usability and genuine surprise at quality levels. The few complaints centre on overly sensitive safety interventions and firm low-speed ride quality—issues addressable through software calibration if Geely monitors feedback actively.
The fundamental question isn’t whether the EX5 delivers value—specification sheets and pricing confirm that—but whether British buyers trust an unfamiliar Chinese brand sufficiently to commit five-figure sums. Geely’s established European presence through premium subsidiaries provides credibility unavailable to newer arrivals, whilst the aggressive warranty suggests confidence in product durability. The UK’s pragmatic car-buying culture, less brand-loyal than some Continental markets, potentially favours rational value calculations over badge prestige. Fleet buyers especially may embrace the proposition: lower acquisition costs, comprehensive warranties, and competitive running expenses tick procurement boxes regardless of showroom cachet.
