Geely E5 (2026) in the test report: This is how the new electric SUV performs

(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – How do you actually pronounce Geely? The answer: Jee-lee. Quite important, after all, behind it is one of the largest Chinese car manufacturers. Many brands are well known, especially Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, or Zeekr. But also the London Taxi and Smart (50 percent stake).

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With that, the Geely group, founded in 1986, could actually be satisfied in Europe. But it is not and has been offering cars under the Geely brand in Germany since the end of April 2026. Overcapacities in the domestic market may play a role. But like BYD or Chery, it is deliberately launching an attack on the European market. Tariffs or not, Geely is also supposed to offer a lot of car for the money.

Body / Design

But why should you choose a Geely? The design is certainly not the ultimate argument. Literally it says: “The E5 combines modern SUV proportions with an aerodynamically optimized design language characterized by a distinctive ‘Tiger Face’ front design.”

More like a run-of-the-mill cat, because not much really sticks. The look is not polarizing and is pleasing, but you feel like you have already seen it on every second Chinese SUV. The nondescript company logo on the car fits this.

With a length of 4,615 mm, a width of 1,901 mm, a height of 1,670 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the E5 fits into the volume-strong electric SUV segment. A total of 24 aerodynamic measures enable a low drag coefficient of 0.27. The curb weight varies depending on the version between 1,715 kg (Pro), 1,766 kg (Pro+), and 1,815 kg (Max+).

Photo gallery: Geely E5 (2026)

Standard exterior equipment includes LED headlights with automatic function and coming/leaving home function, LED daytime running lights, a continuous LED taillight strip, an active grille shutter (AGS), a roof rail, (unfortunately) retractable door handles, frameless windshield wipers with rain sensor, and tinted privacy glass in the rear.

The Pro model rolls on 18-inch wheels with Giti tires (225/55 R18), while Pro+ and Max+ stand on 19-inch forged wheels with Goodyear tires (235/50 R19). Color options include the no-cost Snow White as well as optional Turquoise Green, Soot Black, Frost Gray, Moonlight Silver, and exclusively for Pro+ and Max+ Moss Green.

Interior

The trunk volume is 461 liters and can be expanded to up to 1,877 liters by folding down the rear seat backrest in a 60/40 split and two-stage adjustable inclination. Additionally, there is a 108-liter underfloor compartment in the trunk and 14-liter drawers under the rear seat bench.

The interior is equipped with a faux leather instrument panel, a four-way manually adjustable microfiber multifunction steering wheel, perforated faux leather seats, and an automatically dimming interior mirror. Everything feels very high-quality; what looks like metal is also metal. Unusual is, besides the distinctively shaped steering wheel, the high center console that divides the front space.

Also strange: You press the window switch down, but the window goes up. Generally, more real buttons would be desirable, but Geely is not alone in this regard.

Comfort is a priority; you sit very comfortably in the E5. The driver’s seat is six-way, the passenger seat four-way electrically adjustable, even with leg support. Seat heating and ventilation in the front are also on board, as well as the option for a massage function. The Max+ trim also features a panoramic glass roof and offers ivory white as an optional interior color in addition to the standard graphite.

The digital cockpit is dominated by a 15.4-inch HD touchscreen with 2.5K resolution, powered by the E04 high-performance chipset. Additionally, there is a 10.2-inch LCD instrument cluster and a head-up display in the Max+ version. Connected features include over-the-air updates (OTA), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G connectivity, Wi-Fi, a dedicated app store, and an inductive smartphone charging tray.

Sound is provided as standard by a system with 6 speakers; in the Max+ the Flyme Sound Premium audio system with 16 speakers and 1,000 watts of power provides the sound. Fine for the ears. If only the DAB reception were better. Black Forest radio was dead after two seconds in the Munich area, while the local Bayern 1 worked flawlessly.

Drive / Driving impressions

The Geely E5 is based on the group’s GEA platform (Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture) and is driven via the front axle by an electric 11-in-1 drivetrain with a single-stage reduction gear. The power is 160 kW (218 hp) with a maximum torque of 320 Nm.

The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 6.9 seconds (Pro), 7.4 seconds (Pro+), or 7.6 seconds (Max+), depending on the equipment variant; the top speed is 175 km/h. The driver has three driving modes available: ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT.

The chassis relies on a McPherson front axle and a multi-link rear axle, while the braking system uses internally ventilated discs at the front and full discs at the rear. The tuning of steering and chassis was done by Geely Technology Europe with the involvement of Lotus engineering expertise to ensure a European setup with high agility, precision, and driving comfort.

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Safety is ensured by a stiff cell-to-body architecture, seven airbags, and 16 standard driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control (ACC), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot and lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic braking, and a 360-degree camera system.

I have often called the intrusive assistance systems of Chinese cars “nannies,” but the Geely was somewhat smoother in this regard. Except for one dangerous situation that only became risky because of the vehicle’s intervention. Scene: A federal road, I am driving just under 100. From the right, another car quickly turns onto the on-ramp and cuts in front of me. Sporty, no question, but all within limits.

Not for the E5: It perceives a dangerous obstacle with an impending collision and suddenly brakes hard. THAT could have led to a collision. But as a rear-end accident with my (fortunately non-existent) tailgater.

A black spot on the otherwise bright record of the E5, which glides comfortably apart from noticeable wind noise and quickly moves its roughly 1.8 tons of curb weight.

Battery / Charging

The power storage is the so-called Geely Short Blade Battery, a cobalt- and nickel-free lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) integrated directly into the vehicle structure via a cell-to-body architecture. It is designed for up to 3,500 charging cycles or a mileage of around one million kilometers. Depending on the model, two battery sizes are used: The Pro model has a capacity of 60.22 kWh, while the Pro+ and Max+ versions have a battery with 68.39 kWh.

Charging with alternating current (AC) is three-phase with up to 11 kW, requiring a charging time from 10 to 100 percent of 6.1 hours (60.2 kWh) or 7.0 hours (68.4 kWh). At DC fast charging stations, the Pro model charges at a maximum of 120 kW, the two higher variants reach up to 135 kW. Under optimal conditions, the energy storage can be charged from 30 to 80 percent in 20 minutes.

Works in practice! Not because the pure charging power is immensely high, but because the charging curve remains constantly high. We achieved an average of 116 kW with a peak of 139 kW. Thanks to integrated vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) functions, the vehicle battery can also be used as a power source for external electrical devices or other vehicles.

Consumption / Price

The combined power consumption according to WLTP is 15.8 kWh/100 km for the Geely E5 Pro, 16.0 kWh/100 km for the Pro+, and 16.9 kWh/100 km for the Max+ version. The maximum electric range according to WLTP standard is up to 430 kilometers for the smaller battery and up to realistically achievable 450 kilometers for the 68.4 kWh variant we tested.

And in summer reality? Sure, on the highway a two is the first digit. But in the city and country roads, even with air conditioning, a 14 is achievable. Our thrifty colleague even managed an average of 11.3 kWh/100 km.

More from Geely:
Geely E2 starts at 19,990 Euro in Germany
Geely builds E5 and another electric SUV at Ford in Valencia

The E5 scores strongly on pricing: The entry price for the Geely E5 Pro in Germany is 37,990 Euro. The mid-level trim Pro+ starts at 39,990 Euro, while the top version Max+ is offered from 42,990 Euro (respective financing offers start at 249 Euro monthly with 0.99% interest). The manufacturer grants a warranty of 8 years or 200,000 kilometers on the vehicle, drivetrain, and high-voltage system.

For comparison: A similarly sized Skoda Enyaq as a popular electric SUV in its class starts here at 43,490 Euro with 140 kW power. But with less standard equipment and warranty. However, the resale value is likely higher.

Conclusion: 7/10

In terms of quality and price-performance ratio, the Geely E5 scores well. However, the still thin dealer network and some weaknesses in detail are problematic. Especially in safety systems, the Chinese should urgently improve.

Pros
– high-quality interior
– good consumption
– affordable prices

Cons
– sometimes intrusive assistance systems
– operation too touch-heavy
– still thin dealer network

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