Geely Starray EM-i: the plug-in hybrid designed to be used day to day like an electric car

The Geely Starray EM-i is one of those plug-in hybrids that can change the perception many drivers still have of this type of vehicle, because it joins the growing number of plug-in hybrids whose electric part is designed not only to homologate low consumption and earn the DGT zero-emissions label, but to handle most daily journeys in real-world use.

With the larger battery it offers up to 136 km of electric range on the WLTP combined cycle, rising to 184 km in urban driving. These figures allow the usual journeys to be made for several days without starting the petrol engine, provided there is the possibility of charging at home or at work.

And when it is time to travel, the driver does not have to worry about finding chargers or planning stops. With the battery and the fuel tank full, the Starray EM-i claims a combined range of up to 1,055 km. That duality is precisely its main argument: it can work as an electric car during day-to-day use and as an efficient hybrid on long journeys… or even as an electric car, since it accepts fast charging at a higher power than the category standard.

A family SUV with plenty of space

The Starray EM-i measures 4.74 metres in length, 1.91 metres in width and has a wheelbase of 2.76 metres. It is therefore not a compact SUV, although its design may make it look somewhat more restrained. By size it sits in the category of models such as the BYD Seal U DM-i, the Ford Kuga PHEV or the MG HS PHEV. Compared with them, the Geely clearly focuses on interior space, comfort and high electric range.

Roominess is one of its strong points. In the rear seats, tall adults can travel without problems, even behind tall occupants seated in front. There is plenty of legroom, the floor is practically flat and the seats use a soft cushioning that prioritises comfort.

There is no longitudinal adjustment of the rear bench or reclining adjustment for the rear backrests, two options that would have further increased its versatility. But even without them, the available space makes it possible to undertake long trips with four adults without rear passengers feeling relegated.

The boot offers 528 litres of capacity, a very valid figure for family use and especially noteworthy in a plug-in hybrid, where the battery location usually takes away cargo space. The rear backrests can be folded down to carry bulky objects.

A comfortable and well-finished interior

The feeling when sitting in the Starray EM-i is that of being in a vehicle designed so that driver and passengers travel relaxed. The dashboard has a clean design, with a large vertical central screen and a digital instrument cluster placed in front of the driver. The materials convey a positive impression, with abundant soft surfaces and synthetic leather trim in the most visible areas. The fittings also feel solid and precise. It is not an especially original interior nor does it seek to surprise with extravagant solutions, but it offers a convincing perceived quality.

Finding a comfortable driving position is easy. Even from the basic trim, the two front seats have electric adjustment and heating. In the MAX+ version they add ventilation, memory and an eight-point massage function, elements normally reserved for vehicles at a much higher price.

Comfort also relies on the two-zone automatic climate control, the heated steering wheel and sound insulation that makes especially good use of electric operation in town.

Technology designed to ease daily use

The central screen measures 15.4 inches, has 2.5K resolution and uses the Geely Flyme Auto multimedia system. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly and allows remote updates. The digital instrumentation is shown on a 10.2-inch screen. In the MAX+ trim a Head-up Display is added, projecting the main information onto the windscreen so the driver does not need to look away.

As in many current vehicles, a large part of the functions is concentrated in the screen. This keeps the design clean, although it means navigating menus to change some settings, such as the level of regeneration or the configuration of certain driver assistants. Some physical controls are retained to operate basic climate control functions, which is appreciated while driving.

The top version also incorporates a more powerful Flyme Sound audio system with 16 speakers, configurable ambient lighting, wireless charger and panoramic roof.

A plug-in hybrid with two battery sizes

The propulsion system is common to the entire range. It combines a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a powerful electric motor. The combustion engine develops 100 CV, while the electric unit reaches 218 CV. The combined maximum power is 262 CV, sent to the front wheels.

Geely offers two LFP Short Blade batteries:

• 18.4 kWh, with 83 km of WLTP electric range.
• 29.8 kWh, with 136 km of WLTP electric range.

The second seems the most interesting choice for those who can charge regularly. It adds 53 km of combined range and allows the car to be used as an electric car for much longer. The urban figures are even more significant. Covering up to 184 km without petrol means many users could charge only once or twice a week, depending on their daily mileage.

The batteries use LFP chemistry, characterised by its thermal stability and durability. Geely announces a service life of up to 3,500 charging cycles and explains that they have passed more than a hundred safety tests, including impact, puncture, fire, compression and immersion in salt water.

How it works on daily journeys

The Starray EM-i always starts in electric mode, provided the battery has sufficient charge. In town it moves smoothly, quietly and with a progressive response to the accelerator. It is not one of those electrified cars that react abruptly as soon as the right pedal is touched. Power delivery is metered to ease manoeuvring and encourage relaxed driving.

This fits well with the vehicle’s overall approach. The steering is light, the 5.2-metre turning circle makes it easy to manage in car parks and narrow streets, and the brake pedal allows the car to be stopped progressively without requiring a long adaptation period.

For everyday use there are three main modes:

• EV prioritises electric operation while the battery has enough energy.
• Hybrid automatically combines the electric and petrol motors depending on speed, battery charge and power demand.
• Power changes the accelerator response and reserves the system’s maximum capacity for overtaking, merging or mountain roads.

When charge drops below 25%, the car automatically switches from electric to hybrid mode. In this way it maintains an energy reserve and prevents the driver from having to constantly intervene in managing the system.

Can you really cover more than 100 km in electric mode?

The homologated range of 136 km is not a purely theoretical figure. In real use, the large battery allows electric operation to be maintained over long routes, even on mixed routes with some urban driving and a lot of ring roads and motorway, easily reaching 100 km without starting the petrol engine.

Naturally, the final figure will depend on temperature, speed, use of the climate control and type of route. But even falling short of the homologated value, as is usual with plug-in hybrids, the margin remains sufficient to cover daily journeys well above the average.

Fast charging to use it as an electric car

The ability to charge with direct current is another element that sets the Starray EM-i apart from many plug-in hybrids. The 18.4 kWh battery accepts a maximum power of 30 kW, while the 29.8 kWh one reaches 60 kW. Under optimal conditions, the latter can go from 30 to 80% in about 16 minutes.

This does not mean it always makes sense to stop at a fast charger on a long trip. When the battery runs out, the petrol engine allows the journey to continue without problems, and the price of electricity at some public chargers can reduce the savings. But having fast charging considerably increases versatility. It allows, for example, recovering a significant part of the electric range while stopping for lunch, doing some shopping or spending a few hours at a shopping centre.

On alternating current, the maximum power is 6.6 kW. With a domestic charge point, the battery can be recovered overnight and be available every morning.

On the road, comfort comes first

The Starray EM-i’s setup is clearly geared towards comfort. It uses a MacPherson front suspension and an independent four-link rear axle. The chassis was developed with the participation of the engineering teams of Lotus and tuned at Geely’s European centre in Frankfurt.

The suspension is rather soft and absorbs irregularities well. The bodywork moves somewhat more than it would in a dynamically oriented SUV, but it maintains a very reasonable balance between comfort and control. The steering requires little effort and fits the car’s family character. On the motorway it offers stable tracking and good insulation from outside noise.

On winding roads it does not reach the precision of, for example, a Ford Kuga, but it also does not convey the floating feeling or lack of precision and agility of some SUVs with a similar approach. Its natural habitat is the city, fast roads and family trips at a normal pace.

262 CV seeking smoothness, not sportiness

The 262 CV figure may suggest especially forceful performance, but the Starray EM-i does not feel as quick as its power suggests. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds with the small battery and in 8.2 seconds with the large one. Top speed is electronically limited to 170 km/h.

In any case, the response is sufficient to drive confidently, join a motorway or overtake, but the system prioritises smoothness and efficiency. In electric mode, pulling away from a standstill is progressive and pleasant. When all the power is demanded, the petrol engine comes into operation, although its intervention is more noticeable through the sound than through an abrupt increase in thrust.

When charge is available, the transition between the two energy sources is smooth. With the battery very low, the combustion engine is more noticeable and may run at a speed that does not always match the vehicle’s speed, a characteristic common in hybrid systems of this type. It is not a major drawback for everyday use, but it is worth keeping in mind: anyone seeking sporty sensations will find more suitable alternatives. The Starray is enjoyed most when driven smoothly and making use of its electric capacity.

Efficient consumption even without battery

The best way to use any plug-in hybrid is to charge it regularly. Under those conditions, daily journeys can be made without consuming petrol, and the consumption figure will largely depend on the electricity used.

Geely homologates 1.4 l/100 km under the WLTP cycle with the battery charged. As with all PHEVs, that figure does not represent the consumption obtained when travelling hundreds of kilometres after the electric range has been exhausted. The brand announces a consumption of 6.2 l/100 km when the system works as a hybrid. It is a reasonable value for an SUV of 4.74 metres, almost 1,900 kg and 262 CV.

As a reference, in real use it is easy to stay below 6 l/100 km if you drive calmly. And best of all, the system can keep consumption contained even when electric operation is combined with long journeys.

More than 1,000 km to travel without worrying about charging

The total range reaches 1,002 km with the 18.4 kWh battery and 1,055 km with the 29.8 kWh one. This figure neatly sums up the Starray EM-i’s approach. During the week it can be used as an electric car, taking advantage of the silence, smoothness and lower cost of domestic electricity. And when a long trip comes up, the 51-litre petrol tank removes the need to plan the route around chargers.

It is not necessary to stop every two or three hours for technical reasons, although it remains advisable for safety. Simply refuelling at any service station is enough to continue the journey. For a driver who is not yet ready to switch directly to a fully electric vehicle, but can install a domestic charger, this combination is especially practical.

Full equipment from the PRO trim

The range is structured in three trims: PRO, PRO+ and MAX+.

The PRO includes as standard LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and start, heated steering wheel, two-zone climate control, heated front seats with electric adjustment, 15.4-inch multimedia screen, digital instrumentation, 360-degree camera and wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also incorporates V2L function to power external electrical devices and V2V, which allows energy to be transferred to another compatible vehicle.

The PRO+ keeps the basic equipment but replaces the 18.4 kWh battery with the 29.8 kWh one. With it, electric range rises to 136 km, total range to 1,055 km and fast-charging power to 60 kW.

The MAX+ adds 19-inch wheels, panoramic roof, electric tailgate, Head-up Display, ambient lighting, wireless charger, 16-speaker audio system and front seats with ventilation, memory and massage.

Safety: five stars Euro NCAP

The Starray EM-i includes from the entry trim a complete set of driver assistance systems. These include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and centring, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, sign recognition and driver monitoring system.

The structure uses Geely’s GEA architecture and Cell to Body technology, which integrates the battery into the chassis itself to increase rigidity and make better use of space. The model has achieved the maximum five-star rating in both Euro NCAP and ANCAP. The warranty is also above the usual: eight years or 200,000 km for both the vehicle and the battery.

Geely Starray EM-i prices

These are the list prices for the range:

With the commercial campaigns and the Plan Auto+, the price now starts from 25,215 euros, subject to meeting the corresponding conditions, following the brand’s latest adjustments.

In terms of the relationship between price, range and equipment, the PRO+ seems the most balanced option. The 2,500-euro difference over the PRO goes mainly to the large battery, which adds 53 km of electric range, more powerful fast charging and greater total range. The MAX+ adds very attractive comfort elements, and may justify the extra 2,000 euros if you want a car fully equipped at the top level, but it does not improve performance or range over the PRO+.

Does the Starray EM-i make sense as an everyday car?

Yes, especially for a very specific profile: someone looking for a spacious and comfortable SUV, who can charge it regularly and needs a single car for urban journeys, intercity routes and long trips. With the large battery it can handle most days like an electric vehicle. Even covering 50 or 60 kilometres a day, there would be enough margin to complete two days without recharging.

In town it is quiet, smooth and easy to drive. On the road it offers sufficient power, good insulation and a suspension geared towards comfort. And with more than 1,000 km of combined range, it removes one of the main concerns associated with electric cars on long trips. It is not the most dynamic SUV nor the one that best makes use of its 262 CV in terms of performance. Nor will it please those who prefer physical controls for every function.

But these limitations carry little weight against its main qualities: plenty of space, a comfortable and well-finished cabin, abundant equipment, a genuinely useful electric range and reasonable consumption when the battery runs out. The Geely Starray EM-i shows that a plug-in hybrid can be more than a transitional solution. Used properly, it can behave like an electric car for almost the whole week and retain the freedom of a petrol car when it is time to travel.

Geely Starray EM-i | Image gallery