Geely Starray Price Guide

The Geely Starray EM-i is Geely’s second UK model. It is a plug-in hybrid SUV that pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for combined output of 259bhp, and offers up to 84 miles of electric-only range on the larger battery option. By design, the Starray undercuts plug-in hybrid versions of the Ford Kuga, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Kia Sportage by a significant margin while offering a longer pure-electric range than any of them.

The Car

The Starray uses a series-hybrid arrangement where the 98bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine operates primarily as a generator, with the 215bhp electric motor providing the bulk of propulsion. Two battery sizes are offered: 18.4kWh on the Pro and Max trims providing 51 miles of electric range, and 29.8kWh on the Ultra providing 84 miles. This is the longest pure-electric range of any PHEV SUV at launch. The Ultra supports 60kW DC fast charging. Combined range on the Ultra is 618 miles. The interior shares its layout with the EX5, with black trim replacing the electric car’s lighter scheme. Boot space is 528 litres, larger even than the MG HS PHEV. An eight-year, 125,000-mile warranty covers the powertrain.

What to Know

The electric range figures are impressive but the driving experience has drawn mixed reviews. When running on battery power the Starray is smooth and refined; when the petrol engine activates it can be noticeably coarse, and the transition between the two modes is not as seamless as in Toyota or Ford hybrids. The 98bhp petrol engine alone is gutless, but keeping the battery charged transforms the car. The ADAS safety systems have been criticised for being over-intrusive. Chassis tuning was developed with Lotus Engineering but the Starray leans more toward comfort than the sporting dynamics that implies.

Buying

The Ultra with its 84-mile electric range and 60kW DC charging is the specification worth seeking; buyers who charge at home could cover most daily journeys on electricity alone. The Pro is the value entry point but the smaller battery limits the PHEV’s core advantage. Company car buyers benefit from the low CO2 rating and corresponding BIK tax band.