After all the teasers, Geely finally, really, swear-to-God launched their first true hybrid in the Philippines. The Geely EX5 EM-i arrives in two variants and comes with the brand’s first plug-in hybrid system in the country. It starts at P 1,288,000 for the Pro and P 1,468,000 for the Max trim.
Compared to its rivals, Geely has reversed the hybrid-ization method for the EX5. Other brands develop an ICE car first then electrified it later on, while Geely started with the all-electric EX5, then made it hybrid afterwards. This is thanks to their Global Intelligent Electric Architecture that can accommodate all electrified powertrain systems and is versatile enough to underpin various forms such as SUVs, MPVs, sedans, and the like.
At the heart of this new system is their 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine that is said to have 46.5 percent thermal efficiency. Alone, it puts out 98 horsepower and 125 Nm of torque, while the electric motor supplements that with its own 215 horses and 262 Nm of pull. Sending power to the front wheels is an Electric Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (E-DHT) that is 13.5 percent lighter than transmission of previous generation cars.
It also has a generous battery pack at 18.4 kWh that can accommodate up to 30 kW of DC fast charging that can ramp up 30 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. Standard charging is at 6.6 kW and can be full in three hours if from 25 to 100 percent.
Finally deserving of a green plate (not any of that 48-volt EMS BS), the EX5 EM-i has a pure electric range of 83 kilometers (WLTP). When combined with a full tank of gas, it goes up to 943 kilometers. During Geely’s internal testing yielded an average of 23.25 km/L, but went up to 26.11 km/L during a Guinness World Record drive from Sydney to Melbourne.
As for dimensions, the EX5 EM-i measures 4,740 mm long, 1,905 mm wide, and 1,685 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,755mm and up to 172mm of ground clearance. That makes the EX5 EM-i slightly shorter than its rivals like the BYD Sealion 6, but wider and taller. The cargo area is also spacious at 528 liters with the rear seats up, which extends to 2,065 liters with it folded.
Moving to the rest of the car, if it's your first time seeing the EX5 EM-i, it can pass off as an BEV with its looks. However, it has styling cues that make it different from its EV brother. There’s a lightbar that connects the 2 DRL assemblies, as well as forward pointing contours on the sides of the front bumper. The wheels are also different with its more conventional design sized at 18-inches for the Pro with Giti tires while the Max has 19-inches wrapped in Goodyear rubber. Another distinction is at the rear which has no body color on the rear bumper faux diffuser.
Their amenities are mostly the same across the two trims. They get the usual bits like automatic LED headlights, LED Taillights, and power adjustable mirrors. What’s different is the Max model has additional panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, and power folding mirrors.
Geely retained the steering wheel and floating touchscreen design from the EV version, while revising the dashboard and center console. The Pro is available with Sapphire Blue interior, while the Max has an additional Amber Brown option. Both trims also receive the same major amenities such as the 15.4-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital instrument display, automatic climate control with rear vents.
Going for the Max trim gets you additional 256-color Ambient Lighting, 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 4-way power adjustable passenger seat, heads-up display, 16-speaker FlyMe sound system, and wireless charger.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) also made its way even in the base Pro variant. It has Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistant, Collision Mitigation Support Front, and Traffic Sign Identification.
Other bits like Intelligent High Beam Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Door Open Warning, Lane Changing Assistant, and Blind Spot Detection are exclusive to the Max trim.
The new Geely EX5 EM-i will come with a Type 2 portable charger and a 7 kW wall-mounted charger. Both are available in Alpine White, Polar Black, Jungle Green, Glacier Blue, Volcanic Grey, and Cloudveil Silver.
Words and Photos by Vincent Villa
Worst nightmare of BYD Byd SL6 dead, SL5 dead, even the byd sedan dead
ReplyDeletePuro ka nalang dead. Dead sa Dada.
DeleteI think the EX5 looks better than the Sealion 6 but I doubt Geely would gain traction to overtake BYD. Brand has lost much goodwill due to customer service troubles. Best it could hope for would it be like Chery, which has been resilient but never a major player.
DeleteIt's hilarious to see this guy in the comments section consistently hating on BYD. lol
DeleteA good alternative to the BYD Sealion 6.
ReplyDeleteGeely has to take great care in its after-sales department in order to not mess this up once again.
They had that great start with the Coolray and they fumbled it. Let’s hope this time they do things right.
It wasn't actually their doing, it was Sojit the Japanese group authorized distributor here. Geely is now directly handling the distributorship. I'm sure they won't destroy their own brand.
DeleteTo anyone who has seen the “Sapphire Blue” interior color, please tell me how the heck did that even pass as a blue color? It’s so dark, might as well just call it black.
ReplyDeleteReal Value of our Hard Earned Money
ReplyDeleteAny word if Geely plans to launch the Geely App here? It’s hard to go back once you’ve experienced remote access.
ReplyDeletePriced right, no wonder they recently overtook BYD as no 1 in China
ReplyDeleteNo sun roof, is the best decision for a Chinese car co. Phil's is too sunny and too hot most of the time why somebody would want a sun roof is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteGeely Volvo engineering quality miles better than Byd
ReplyDeleteIt's still made in China no matter what. Volvo is now Chinese.
Deletesana ganto rin itsura nung EV. duda pa ko sa ICE ng china e.. unless sourced ang ICE nila from japanese companies?
ReplyDeleteMeron naman like tie up ng Toyota and GAC, or Honda and Dongfeng.
DeleteGeely tech + Volvo automotive engineering quality = Win Win
ReplyDeleteWhy? Are there fake hybrids? Are mild hybrids fake?
ReplyDeleteThere were some who marketed cars with start-stop as "hybrids."
DeletePrice is a good starting point, but Sealion 6 has had sales traction and support of an expanding dealer network. I'd still be more comfortable buying the SL6, unless their is a Geely dealer in my area. Same sentiment when it comes to Changan Q05.
ReplyDeletePro variant doesn’t come with split-folding rear seats too, so your flexibility is limited with cargo.
ReplyDeleteIt comes, 40/60 split folding seats.
DeleteHonestly, definition of hybrid should be it can be charged from an outlet and can run at least 50kms using battery alone.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous. Hybrids were already a thing before PHEVs arrived. PHEVs are nothing more than bastardized BEVs with generators.
Delete@ Anonymous March 29, 2026 at 12:37 PM
DeleteYour assessment & description may be correct, but up to 75Km on pure EV mode our PHEV costs less than half to operate than our HEV. Operating cost is almost even after the first 75 Km unless one is able to recharge the PHEV wherein it will be the same story for the first 75 Km again.
HEVs, PHEVs and EVs all have their advantages and disadvantages depending upon one's situation, lifestyle and preference. As there's a 7Kw charger at home, and range anxiety is a problem, only a PHEV does it for me.
A Hybrid (which we already have) is no longer a future consideration as it is the least energy efficient among the 3 because its battery is usually only 1.8Kw which is normally 1/10th the size of the battery in a PHEV.
Not bad for a bastardized BEV.