Geely Starray review: Can it stand out from the ever-growing Chinese crowd?

Join us as we take a closer look at the Geely Starray, Geely's first attempt at a plug-in hybrid SUV

The Geely Starray has arrived in an increasingly crowded field of Chinese PHEVs.

As Geely's second model on sale in the UK, it's easy to assume the brand is new to the game. That's where you'd be wrong.

Geely Holding was founded in 1989, entered the automotive market in 1997, and now also owns Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. 

Undercutting several key rivals on price while offering a genuinely impressive tech list and electric-only range, the Starray means business.

But is that enough to stand out in this overcrowded corner of the market?

Let's find out.

What we drove:

Model: Geely Starray Estate 1.5 EM-i Max 5dr Auto

Body Style: SUV

Power: Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV)

Engine: 1.5L

Pure EV range: Up to 84 miles (WLTP Comb)

Combined range: Up to 618 miles

Colour: Glacier Blue

Understated looks, but does it stand out?

The Geely Starray takes a clean, modern approach to SUV styling, and the proportions are handled well — no awkward stances or wheels that look lost in the arches here.

The 19-inch alloys add some welcome road presence, while the LED headlights and signature daytime running lights give it a sharp, contemporary look from the front.

Round the back, the tail light design really stands out, with a distinctive light bar that gives the Starray genuine kerb appeal.

It's a smart, tidy-looking SUV that will happily blend into any driveway or car park without feeling like a compromise.

It doesn't quite have the boldness of some of its more attention-grabbing rivals, but for buyers who prefer understated over showy, that's no bad thing.

Simple, uncluttered, and easy to live with

Step inside, and the cabin is a minimalist's heaven.

There are few physical buttons here, with most controls handled through the infotainment system.

But fear not, there's still a volume knob — although it's more of a multifunction dial than a straightforward volume control, doubling up to scroll through drive modes and change the home screen wallpaper.

It's a look that works.

The materials feel a cut above what you'd expect at this price point, with soft-touch surfaces and artificial leather that feels genuinely convincing rather than cheap.

Space is generous too.

Rear seat passengers get plenty of room to stretch out, and the completely flat floor means it's easy to squeeze three across the back bench.

Plus the sunroof let's in plenty of light, making it a great place to relax.

Boot space comes in at 428 litres, plus there’s an extra 100 litres of space under the floor. That puts it ahead of the BYD SEAL U, Chery Tiggo 7 and BYD SEALION  5 on outright capacity.

Smooth, powerful, and doesn't feel like a hybrid

Put your foot down and the Starray is smooth and powerful. In fact, it doesn't feel like a petrol car at all, with the electric motor doing most of the heavy lifting. 

The small turning circle makes driving around town a doddle, and light steering means threading through gaps and parking up is equally fuss-free. 

The suspension soaks up bumps with ease, too.  

You'll hardly feel a thing on the road, whether you're pottering round town or cruising on the motorway. 

With handling tuned by Lotus, you’d expect it to translate into dynamic cornering. But alas, it doesn’t.  

The Starray leans more than we'd like if you push on through bends, so it's not the SUV to reach for if a twisty road is what you're after. 

Going the distance

The Starray offers two battery options, with the largest giving up to 84 miles of electric-only range (WLTP Comb) on the Ultra model. That's one of the longest ranges of any PHEV on sale, only bettered by pricier rivals like the Chery Tiggo 9 and OMODA 9.

The smaller 18.4kWh battery manages up to 51 miles (WLTP Comb) on the Pro and Max models, which still holds its own against key competitors.

When it comes to topping up, the larger battery accepts DC charging at up to 60kW, taking it from 30-80% in around 16 minutes. The smaller battery charges at up to 30kW, with the same 30-80% top-up taking roughly 20 minutes.

On a standard home wallbox, expect a full charge in around three hours for the smaller battery, or 4.5 hours for the larger one.

There's also vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability on board, letting you power external devices from the car itself — a feature not commonly found on PHEVs.

What's good, and what's not

The Geely Starray still has its flaws.

What's good:

• Genuinely long electric-only range (up to 84 miles WLTP Comb)
• Smooth, powerful drive that doesn't feel like a petrol car
• Boot space ahead of key rivals (428 litres plus 100 litres under-floor)
• Vehicle-to-load capability — not common on PHEVs

What's not:

• Handling doesn't translate into dynamic cornering
• Touchscreen-only controls for most functions
• Front-end styling fairly generic
• Limited small-item storage (door bins, glovebox)

What's the verdict?

Overall Rating: 7/10

The Geely Starray doesn't try to reinvent the plug-in hybrid SUV, but it does a lot of the fundamentals well.

That 84-mile electric-only range (WLTP Comb) is genuinely impressive, and rare at this price point. Combine that with a smooth, powerful drive that barely feels like it's running on petrol, and the Starray makes a strong case for itself as an everyday run around.

The interior backs this up, with a minimalist, well-built cabin and a boot that outmuscles several key rivals.

Where it falls short is on the road when things get twisty, and the styling won't turn many heads in a car park full of similar-looking Chinese SUVs.

But for buyers who want a comfortable, well-equipped PHEV without breaking the bank, the Starray ticks the right boxes.

Top five reasons to consider the Geely Starray:

1. Up to 84 miles of electric-only range (WLTP Comb) — one of the longest of any PHEV on sale
2. Smooth, powerful drive that barely feels like a petrol car
3. Boot space ahead of key rivals, plus useful under-floor storage
4. Minimalist, well-built interior with premium-feeling materials
5. Vehicle-to-load capability — a genuinely useful extra rarely found on PHEVs

Would we recommend leasing a Geely Starray?

Absolutely — especially if you want a comfortable, well-equipped PHEV that won't leave a dent in your monthly budget.

The electric-only range covers most daily driving without touching a drop of petrol, the boot and interior space make it a genuinely practical family choice, and the smooth drive makes everyday journeys easy going.

Yes, the styling is a little anonymous, and yes, it's not the SUV to reach for on a twisty road.

But for the driver who wants long range and generous space without the premium price tag, the Geely Starray makes for an excellent option.