Geely EX5 vs Audi Q6 e-tron

Chinese newcomer vs premium German stalwart: Who will win?

Chinese cars are taking over the UK market – and they mean business.

BYD recently overtook Tesla on UK sales. JAECOO's bringing affordable luxury to the masses. MG's been quietly dominating the charts for years. And now Geely's arrived with their own badge, their own car, and a lot to prove.

But what about the brands we already know and love? The ones that have been earning our trust for decades?

Today we're pitting the brand-new Geely EX5 against the Audi Q6 e-tron to find out whether the premium German brand has still got it – or whether the new kids on the block are about to steal the crown.

Both are electric. Both are SUVs. Both are gunning for your driveway.

So, which one deserves to be on it?

Let’s dive in.

Geely EX5

First up, we have newcomer Geely EX5 – the first car to hit the UK under the Chinese brand's own badge.

But Geely itself? Anything but new. They already own Volvo, Polestar and Lotus – that's serious pedigree, despite being unknown until now in the UK.

Photos don’t do it justice. See it in person and its many accolades – Red Dot 2025, IDA Gold, MUSE Platinum – all make a lot more sense. These aren’t small wins.

Step inside and the cabin is light and airy, a welcome change from the darker interiors dominating most rivals.

With an OTR price from £29,690, it feels genuinely premium; well above what you'd expect at this price point.

The 15.4-inch touchscreen and wraparound centre console give it a cockpit feel, while covered cupholders and tidy storage keep that clean, minimalist look intact.

Rear legroom is best-in-class too, thanks to its long wheelbase.

And before you ask – no, it doesn't come at the expense of boot space. There's still 410 litres back there, or 1,877 litres with the rear seats folded down.

So, how does it drive? Smooth, comfortable, refined. It knows exactly what it is and doesn't try to be something it's not.

In fact, this driver briefly forgot they were in an SUV at all – the ride is more saloon than school-run tank.

Range sits at up to 267 miles (WLTP Comb) – enough for a typical week of driving, though it does trail rivals like the Kia EV3.

When you do need to charge, 160kW DC fast charging gets you from 30-80% in just 20 minutes.

And if you prefer charging at home – usually the more affordable option – Geely throws in a free home charger to make it even easier.

The trade-offs?

No car is perfect, and the EX5 is no exception.

• Cabin noise is above average
• Noticeable EV motor whirr when accelerating
• Overly sensitive fatigue alert
• Range is less than rivals such as the Kia EV3

Audi Q6 e-tron

Audi needs no introduction. And at £69,515, the Q6 e-tron doesn't come cheap – but then again, with Audi, you're paying for the badge prestige. And what a badge it is.

It’s one of the most trusted German names on UK roads, and the Q6 e-tron does it justice.

We'd argue it's one of the best-looking SUVs on the market.

It commands your attention, and even looks good in photos (sorry Geely!).

The full-width rear light bar, flush door handles and clean aerodynamic lines make it an attractive package indeed.

Step inside and you're greeted by an 11.9-inch driver's display, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and even an optional passenger screen – giving your passenger princess full DJ privileges.

The head-up display is a tad distracting at first, displaying information right in your line of view. But after a while, it becomes genuinely useful.

There's decent storage throughout, coverable cupholders to keep things looking clean and minimalist, and the boot is a whopping 526 litres, with an optional front boot measuring 64 litres.

The interior is comfortable enough, but the materials don't feel as premium as they should at this price point. Plus, some questionable cost-cutting has let it down, with manual seat adjustments in the base trim being the biggest culprit.

The drive is decent.

A sluggish initial response is expected from an SUV of this size, but 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds is still impressive.

It feels almost van-like as you're sat so high up, and traction noticeably drops when it rains a bit – and face it, we're in Britain; it rains a lot.

But considering the weight and size of this beast, the handling is good, and the regenerative brakes help eke out a bit more range.

Speaking of range, the Q6 e-tron impresses with up to 389 miles (WLTP Comb). And with 270kW rapid charging, it goes from 10-80% in just 21 minutes.

Not bad for a car that's as much about the badge as it is the drive.

The trade-offs?

• Low traction in wet conditions
• Some questionable cost-cutting inside
• Feels sluggish and heavy when getting going
• Head-up display distracting at first

What’s the verdict?

So, which one actually deserves a spot on your driveway?

Price and value

Let's face it, the difference in price is stark. The Geely EX5 starts from £29,690 – the Audi Q6 e-tron from £69,515.

Geely punches well above its price point.

Audi, on the other hand, feels like it's cutting costs to stay competitive against the Chinese newcomers.

But are they cutting costs in the wrong places? We’d say so.

Design

No surprises here: Audi wins hands down on looks.

Geely looks good in person, but something about it doesn't quite translate in photos.

There's also a hint of old-model Tiguan about it – which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just doesn't stand out from the crowd.

Interior

The Geely EX5 is light and airy inside.

The Q6 e-tron takes a more traditional approach – typically Audi.

But Geely's rear legroom is class-leading, and you can't really argue with class-leading, can you?

Driving

Driving the Audi Q6 feels similar to driving a tank or a van.

It's big, it's bulky, and made more difficult if you're on the shorter side – ask this 5ft 3" writer.

The Geely, meanwhile, was momentarily mistaken for a saloon. That says everything you need to know.

Range and charging

The range gap is significant, and range anxiety remains one of the biggest barriers to going electric.

But 267 miles covers an average week of driving for most people – and with a free home charger included when you lease the Geely EX5, you can simply plug in each night like you would your phone.

Which electric SUV comes out on top?

We'll admit, the Geely EX5 just about pips it. And coming from an avid Audi loyalist, that's saying something.

If range is your priority, the Q6 e-tron is the one.

But for the overall package? The Geely EX5 takes the pie.