IF you’re in the market for a Chinese takeaway you could do worse than looking at Geely’s current menu.
For as well as owning Volvo, Lotus, Polestar, smart (in part with Mercedes) and Zeekr (which you can’t buy here yet) they’re also into making cars with their own name on the back.
One full electric and this one here, a 1.5 litre EM-i plug in hybrid model called Starray, which you could genuinely link to LEVC (the London taxi brand also owned by Geely) for its almost cavernous interior.
Confused? Let’s get back to the plot.
Starray is regarded as one of the best value family SUVs currently available. It’s got loads of space, loads of tech, a decent electric driving range, and a price tag that means there’s still some cash left over for the shopping.
The 1.5-litre petrol engine acts as a generator alongside a powerful electric motor, producing a combined 258bhp and good for an eight second run to 62mph. And while there’s a petrol engine under the bonnet it feels in the main like an EV, as acceleration is smooth and unfussed, unless you hit the loud pedal too hard, when it can get a bit shouty.
There are two battery options – 18.4 kWh or 29.8 kWh – giving you around 51 to 84 miles of emission free motoring, and the car has a potential range of 600 miles.
The suspension has been tuned by Lotus, so it absorbs rough UK roads and potholes comfortably. Push hard through a series of bends and you’ll feel the body roll a bit but the tyres keep in good contact with the road.
The cabin is commendably spacious, with plenty legroom and headroom front and rear. Starray’s interior is clean and modern, with leatherette upholstery and dash finish look good and feel nice to the touch, and there’s loads of storage in the open area beneath the raised centre console as well as in the door pockets and centre cubby.
It comes with a huge customizable 15.4-inch infotainment screen and a 10.8-inch driver cluster. And above that is a huge panoramic roof which you’d realistically not expect to find in a car costing under £33,000.
Most of the main vehicle functions are controlled via the large touchscreen, which can take you a while to work out where they all are, and some take a wee while on start up to actually initialise.
With a line up starting under £30,000, Starray undercuts many of its European and Japanese rivals. And Geely backs the vehicle with an eight-year /125,000 mile warranty.
The £32,690 Max model here features a Head-Up Display, Panoramic Sunroof, FlyMe Audio 16-Speaker Premium Audio System and Power Tailgate. It’s flanked by the Pro at £29,990 and the Ultra at £34,990.
The long-term resale values are unknown territory at present and the dealer network is still growing – but you can’t deny you’re getting a lot of car for the money.
Geely Starray EM-i Max super hybrid
Price: £32,690
Engine: 1.5 litre, four cylinder, petrol with lithium-ion battery
Power: 258bhp
Torque: 193lb/ft
Transmission: electric
Top speed: 105mph
0-62mph: 8.0 seconds
Economy: 51 miles (electric only): potentially 600 miles
CO2 emissions: 54 g/km
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