Geely Starray – value with a sparkle

The UK car market has been transformed in the past by Japanese and more recently Korean manufacturers – now the pace of China’s rise suggests history may be repeating itself.

This time though, the transition is happening much faster. So much so that as little as three years ago most British motorists would have struggled to name more than a single Chinese car brand.

Among the unfamiliar names landing on these shores is Geely, a company well established as a heavyweight of Oriental engineering which has been listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange for upwards of two decades and manages household names like Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and smart.

Already making inroads on the new car scene with its EX5 compact SUV, Geely’s second UK model the Starray EM-I hybrid SUV looks to have an even brighter future courtesy of its comfort, space, running costs and value for money.

What we have with the Starray is a car that combines the practicality of a midsize family SUV with a modern plug-in hybrid powertrain, offering an attractive middle ground for drivers not yet ready to make the jump to a fully electric vehicle.

Attractive without looking in any way radical, the Geely has a conservative styling that echoes the design of many modern SUVs – suffice to say it’s pretty inoffensive.

Hop inside and the impression is definitely positive with its bright, well finished and thoughtfully designed cabin sporting comfortable seats and plenty of space for five adults.

The dashboard is dominated by a large central touchscreen, supported by a digital driver’s display and, as is the case with many new vehicles, there is a heavy reliance on touch controls, so some simple functions require a trip through on-screen menus.

Rear seat passengers are well catered for, with generous headroom and legroom – even for a piggy in the middle courtesy of a flat floor – while the luggage compartment is easily large enough for family holidays, weekly shopping trips or sports gear.

There isn’t a glovebox in this model but plenty of stowage nonetheless with door bins, a large space beneath the centre console and a deep bin behind it, plus cup holders in the rear armrest.

You also get a mobile phone charging pad as well as four cup holders up front – two in the door bins and another pair in a lidded compartment.

The real story with the Starray, however, is about what lies beneath the bonnet – a plug-in hybrid set-up combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and 18.4kWh battery pack in a way that feels seamless during everyday driving.

Moving off from a standstill is smooth and quiet, with the humming electric motor doing much of the work at lower speeds.

Around town, the transition between electric and petrol power is barely noticeable, while on the open road the system delivers enough wallop for confident overtaking and relaxed motorway cruising – far from being a performance SUV, the Geely majors on refinement, comfort and efficiency.

Steering from the sporty flat-bottomed wheel is light and predictable and ride quality impressive too, broken surfaces being absorbed with composure, while wind and road noise are well suppressed.

But fuel economy is where the Starray EM-i makes its strongest case. Urban drivers should see significant savings compared with a conventional petrol SUV, while those covering longer distances will enjoy the extended range a hybrid provides.

The official WLTP Combined fuel economy figure is 117.7 miles per gallon and there’s an electric-only range of up to 51 miles, but if you aren’t disciplined and drive with a depleted battery just using the petrol engine, then expect around 35-40mpg.

As for safety, the Starray brings a comprehensive package of driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, autonomous emergency braking and a  raft of electronic safety features designed to reduce driver fatigue and improve occupant protection.

In short, the Geely delivers exactly what many families want – generous space, modern tech, excellent fuel economy, comfortable everyday driving and strong overall value.

Three models are up for grabs – Pro, Max and Ultra – and with prices ranging from £29,990 (Pro) to £34,990 (Ultra) the Starray EM-I makes a persuasive case in what is an increasingly competitive arena in the new car market.