Quick take: Geely’s first UK-badged EV lands with calm road manners, loads of rear space and kit that would embarrass pricier rivals. I had early workshop access before Geely committed to the UK, drove it ahead of the main media drives, interviewed the Product Manager, then attended the UK launch at Magazine London on 23 October. Here’s what it’s like to live with & whether you should lease or buy one.
Headline numbers
- Price from: £31,990 OTR
- Trims: SE, Pro, Max
- Battery: 60.2 kWh usable (LFP)
- WLTP range: 255 to 267 miles
- Powertrain: 160 kW FWD, 0 to 62 mph in 6.9 s
- Charging: 11 kW AC, up to 160 kW DC
- Boot: 302–410 litres in standard positions, up to 461 litres with underfloor area
- Availability: UK orders open.
First look and early access
I filmed with the EX5 before UK release. At the time I said, “I’m here today with something so brand new that it hasn’t even been released in the UK yet. This is the all-new Geely EX5.” That early workshop gave me a proper feel for the cabin quality and the UK chassis tune. The value story was obvious from the start. I then attended the official UK reveal at Magazine London on 23 October and saw the final spec and pricing confirmed.
A chat with James, Product Manager
I interviewed James, Geely’s Product Manager, to understand the strategy.
- Why the EX5 first? It is Geely Auto’s first true global product and a mid-size SUV hits the biggest pool of buyers.
- Energy focus: Launch efforts concentrate on new energy models. Battery electric first, with plug-in hybrid and hybrid in the wider plan.
- One battery for now: 60.2 kWh usable across SE, Pro and Max.
- Range by trim: SE 267 miles, Pro 258 miles, Max 255 miles.
- Charging target: About 30 to 80 percent in roughly 20 minutes on a good 150 kW DC charger.
- Retail footprint: Dealer sign-ups are underway with a national map rolling out.
That aligns with what I felt from the wheel. A simple range, keen prices, strong kit, and a use-case built around real families doing real miles.
Design and cabin
The EX5 is neat and unfussy outside. In person the Jade Green launch colour pops. The 19 inch wheels on Max suit the arches and the full-width rear light bar gives a clean signature.
Inside is the headline act.
- Look and feel: Padded surfaces, tidy stitching, and tasteful trims. It feels a step above the price.
- Screens: 15.4 inch centre display and 10.2 inch driver cluster, plus a head-up display on Max.
- Controls: A rotary controller handles volume and assignable functions. Set your climate, heated seats and regen shortcuts on day one.
- Audio: The 16-speaker FlyMe system with headrest speakers on Max is seriously impressive for a standard fit.
- Clever storage: The rear under-seat drawer is brilliant for snacks, cables and kids’ bits.
From my notes while driving: “The sound dampening is strong. There is very little wind noise and very little tyre roar. It feels robust and well put together.”
Space and practicality
- Rear room: Excellent leg room thanks to the flat floor. I am close to six foot and had space to spare behind a tall driver.
- Boot: 302 to 410 litres in typical setups, 461 litres counting the deep underfloor well. Height-adjustable floor helps keep loads flat.
- Roof rails: Ready for bike racks or a roof box.
- Family touches: Two ISOFIX points, big door bins, rear USB-A and USB-C, cupholders and that 14-litre drawer.
If you need the very biggest boot, some rivals go larger. If you want generous people space, the EX5 is up there with the best at this money.
On the road
Lotus Engineering supported the UK tune and you can feel it on broken B-roads. The EX5 aims for confidence and calm, not lap times.
- Performance: 215 hp at the front wheels, 0 to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds.
- Drive modes: Eco, Comfort and Sport. I found steering best in Normal. Sport sharpens the throttle but the core setup is comfort-led.
- Ride and refinement: Composed at town speeds and settled on the motorway. A touch firm over sharp edges on 19s, which is par for the class.
- Regen: Three levels plus an adaptive mode. No full one-pedal to a stop, so you still brush the brakes at the end.
From my drive log: “It feels extremely smooth. Very solid. Steering could be a little tighter and suspension a tad firmer. Tight turning circle for car parks and city streets. Good mirrors and visibility. The indicator sounds pan left or right with the signal. Small thing. It makes the car feel considered.”
Range and charging
Realistic numbers and a simple routine.
- WLTP: 255–267 miles depending on trim and wheel size.
- Real world: Expect mid-200s in mixed UK use. Cold motorway runs will bring that down. I used about the same winter drop I have seen on similar EVs, roughly 20–30 miles depending on conditions.
- Home AC: Up to 11 kW. A 7 kW wallbox will comfortably do 10–100 percent overnight.
- Public DC: Up to 160 kW. I targeted 30–80 percent in the 20–30 minute window on strong chargers once the pack was warm.
- Extras: Vehicle-to-Load for powering devices. Useful on trips and at events.
Geely EX5 Pricing and Specification
- Geely EX5 SE | £31,990
- Heated seats and wheel
- 360 camera
- 18 inch alloys
- keyless entry
- wireless Apple CarPlay
- comprehensive safety kit
- Geely EX5 Pro | £33,990
- 19 inch wheels and extra interior colours
- Geely EX5 Max | £36,990
- Head-up display
- panoramic sunroof
- powered tailgate
- massaging and ventilated front seats
- ambient lighting
- premium audio with headrest speakers
My tip: either go SE for best value or jump to Max because the comfort kit is huge for the money. Pro makes less sense for most buyers.
Rivals to consider
- Skoda Elroq: Bigger boot and a very polished drive. You will pay more like-for-like on spec.
- Tesla Model Y: Larger, more range with Long Range, excellent charging ecosystem. Higher monthly.
- BYD Atto 3: Strong value and range options. EX5 cabin feels more grown-up and the rear space is superb.
The EX5 wins on equipment per pound and everyday cabin comfort. Some rivals offer longer range or more boot litres.
Safety and ownership
- Euro NCAP: Five stars, strong scores across the board.
- Warranty: Eight years or 125,000 miles on vehicle and battery.
- Company car: Low BIK, attractive salary sacrifice math.
- Dealer network: Rolling out nationwide.
As with any new UK-badged brand, long-term reliability will take time to prove, but Geely engineering is already familiar here through Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Smart and LEVC.
Who should buy or lease the EX5
- Families who want calm road manners, lots of rear leg room and real kit value.
- High-mileage drivers who prefer quiet comfort over sharp handling.
- Company drivers and salary sacrifice users who want low BIK, a premium-feeling cabin and fixed monthly costs.
From my video: “If you want an SUV that is sporty and track-ready, this is not the car. If you want smooth, quiet and comfortable miles with brilliant toys, this fits.”
Leasing the Geely EX5
Leasing keeps costs predictable and hands depreciation back to the funder. It works especially well here because the EX5’s spec is strong even at SE.
- Personal and business terms
- Maintenance options
- Nationwide delivery
- Salary sacrifice support
Ready to explore monthly costs? Rivervale can quote the EX5 across SE, Pro and Max with the right mileage and term for you.
Verdict
Geely EX5
Summary
The Geely EX5 does exactly what most families want at a price that undercuts a lot of the class. It is quiet, roomy in the rear, simple to charge and packed with kit that makes daily life nicer. I have followed it from early workshop previews, through my pre-launch drive, to the UK reveal. The car stayed true to that original pitch.
FAQs
Yes, the car officially went on sale in the UK on 23 October 2025. You can buy, finance with traditional PCP or HP through a Geely dealer, or lease one from a broker like Rivervale.
Pricing starts from £31,990 for the SE spec, but the Max spec which offers the most popular options comes in at £36,990 on the road.
Officially it quotes between 255-267 miles WLTP, but expect somewhere between 220-250 with day-to-day driving.
Up to 160 kW DC. Plan 30–80 percent in roughly 20–30 minutes on a strong rapid charger once warm.
SE for value. Max if you want the big comfort kit. Pro is the least compelling step.
Yes. Personal and business leasing available now, plus salary sacrifice options at Rivervale who offer free nationwide delivery.
