Geely EX5 EM-i Review: The UAE’s New Fuel-Saving Cheat Code?

There’s something deeply satisfying about watching fuel prices climb while your monthly fuel spends remain unchanged, almost. That is the hallmark of the Geely EX5 EM-i, a plug-in hybrid SUV that claims 1,065km of range, costs less than many compact crossovers, and arrives in the UAE packed with technology, practicality, and efficiency. 

On paper, it almost sounds too good to be true. Yet after spending time with it, one thing becomes clear: Geely understands exactly what many UAE buyers are looking for right now. It’s got long range, low running costs, plenty of technology, comfortable ride quality, great road manners, and enough space to handle family duties without complaint.

Priced from AED 89,900, the EX5 EM-i enters one of the most competitive segments in the market. The impressive part is that it doesn’t feel like a car built for that price bracket. Read on to know the how and why.

Design: Clean, Modern & Efficient

Front

The front end is clean and contemporary, featuring sleek full-width LED daytime running lights and slim headlamps. You don’t get a grille because it’s electrified, resulting in a cleaner front-end design. You’ll also notice Geely’s new NEV badge replacing the traditional logo. It’s a subtle detail, but one that differentiates the brand’s new-energy vehicles from its conventional models.

Side Profile 

Viewed from the side, the wraparound lighting design becomes more apparent. The front and rear light signatures visually stretch the vehicle, giving it a more sophisticated appearance.  The 19-inch alloy wheels feature unique blade-inspired designs that also contribute to aerodynamic efficiency. 

Rear

At the rear, a full-width LED light bar creates a premium look, while the overall design remains clean and uncluttered. In fact, the EX5 EM-i looks almost identical to the fully electric EX5 EV. The only visible cues that set it apart are the EM-i badging and a discreet exhaust outlet tucked underneath the rear bumper.

Space Is One Of The EX5 EM-i’s Biggest Strengths

Geely claims an 84.3% cabin utilisation rate. It sounds like engineering jargon, but basically means, there’s less wasted space compared to most cars around the world. The result is immediately noticeable once you step inside. The EX5 EM-i makes exceptionally efficient use of its footprint, creating a cabin that feels considerably larger than many SUVs in this segment.

Rear Seat

Rear-seat passengers benefit from generous legroom and headroom, along with USB-C charging ports and rear air-conditioning vents. Even taller occupants will have little reason to complain. This Practicality extends to the luggage compartment as well.

Boot Space

The powered tailgate opens to reveal 428 litres of boot space, which is more than sufficient for a weekend getaway. Fold the rear seats down and capacity expands to 2,065 litres, creating a genuinely useful cargo area for larger items. You could probably even get a small bed in there for one of those camping nights at Qudra Lakes. 

A Cabin Focused On Technology

Touchscreen & FlyMe Audio

If the exterior is all about efficiency, the cabin is all about technology. Geely has packed the EX5 EM-i with enough screens, speakers, connected features, and more. The dashboard follows a minimalist design philosophy, with very few physical buttons. Most functions are controlled through a large 15.4-inch central touchscreen.

Thankfully, the system is responsive and easy to navigate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. Audiophiles will appreciate the FlyMe audio system. It features 16 speakers in total, including two speakers integrated into the front-seat headrests and three in the dashboard. The result is an impressively immersive audio experience.

Geely App, Wireless Charging & Ventilated Seats

The tech extends beyond entertainment. Through the Geely smartphone app, owners can remotely monitor vehicle status, check location, and pre-set the air-conditioning before entering the vehicle. For UAE summers, that last feature alone is worth its weight in gold. 

A wireless charging pad is positioned within easy reach, while an additional storage area keeps a second phone secure. Ahead of the driver is a crisp 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Complementing it is a 13.8-inch head-up display, one of the brightest systems available in this segment. Together, they provide all the information you need without becoming distracting.

The front seats are also ventilated, a feature that quickly becomes essential during the summer. They can additionally recline into a lie-flat position, making rest stops during long journeys significantly more comfortable.

How Does The Geely EX5 EM-i Achieve Over 1,000km Of Range?

This is the headline feature. Geely claims the EX5 EM-i can travel up to 1,065km on a full tank and battery charge under the NEDC cycle. To put that into UAE context, you could drive from Abu Dhabi to Jebel Jais and back while still having plenty of range remaining. More importantly, our experience suggests the real-world results are genuinely impressive. 

Over a week of testing, we covered close to 500km in the EX5 EM-i, across a variety of driving conditions. By the end of that period, it had used just over half a tank of fuel. Based on those results, achieving more than 900km on a tank in real-world UAE conditions appears entirely realistic. And that is a remarkable figure for a family SUV at this price point.

The Geely EM-i Hybrid System Explained

The EX5 EM-i uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a 29.8kWh battery pack, an electric motor, and a petrol engine. Depending on driving conditions and selected drive modes, the front wheels can be powered by the electric motor, the petrol engine, or a combination of both.

With sufficient battery charge, the EX5 EM-i can operate in a pure electric mode with a claimed range of up to 170km. For many UAE commuters, that is enough to cover several days of driving without consuming a single drop of petrol. Once the battery charge reduces, the petrol engine works alongside the electric motor to maximise efficiency. 

Geely claims a combined fuel-efficiency figure of up to 23.25km/l. At a time when fuel prices remain a concern for many motorists, that level of efficiency is a major selling point. Owners who regularly charge the battery may find themselves visiting petrol stations far less frequently than expected. Here’s a comparison between Petrol, EV & Hybrid running costs in the UAE.

What Is It Like To Drive The Geely EX5 EM-i?

The EX5 EM-i prioritises comfort, and it does so exceptionally well. Under normal driving conditions, the cabin remains quiet and refined. Road and wind noise are well controlled, while the suspension does an excellent job of absorbing imperfections in the road surface. 

The ride quality is genuinely impressive. In fact, it feels more mature than many rivals within the segment and even some vehicles positioned above it. Performance is respectable too.

Combined output stands at 314hp and 387Nm, enabling a 0-100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds. Those numbers won’t trouble performance SUVs, but the immediate response provided by the electric motor makes the EX5 EM-i feel more eager than the figures suggest. Whether merging onto highways or overtaking slower traffic, there is ample performance available when needed.

Geely EX5 EM-i Spec Sheet

Geely EX5 EM-i Safety Features: Fully Equipped

Geely has not cut corners when it comes to safety. The EX5 EM-i comes equipped with six airbags, adaptive cruise control, a 540-degree camera system, and a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies.

The specifications list includes numerous driver-assistance systems and 16 ADAS features. Rather than overwhelming readers with abbreviations and technical terminology, here’s the key takeaway: the EX5 EM-i is thoroughly equipped to help keep occupants safe.

How Does The Geely EX5 EM-i Compare To The Competition?

The plug-in hybrid SUV segment is becoming increasingly crowded, and two of the EX5 EM-i’s closest rivals are the BYD Song Plus and the Deepal S05.

BYD Song Plus

Against the BYD Song Plus, the Geely’s biggest advantage is efficiency. The EX5 EM-i claims up to 1,065km of range, approximately 175km more than the BYD. Its claimed fuel economy figure of 23.25km/l is also significantly stronger. The Geely additionally feels more spacious inside and offers a slightly more premium overall cabin experience.

Deepal S05

Compared to the Deepal S05, the EX5 EM-i takes a different approach. The Deepal focuses heavily on futuristic design and technology, while the Geely delivers a more balanced package centred around comfort, practicality, and usability.

Then there’s the pricing. Starting at AED 89,900 and extending to AED 115,900, the EX5 EM-i delivers an enormous amount of vehicle for the money.

Verdict

The Geely EX5 EM-i arrives at exactly the right time. Rising fuel costs, increasing interest in electrified vehicles, and growing demand for practical family SUVs have created the perfect environment for a vehicle like this. Its strengths are easy to identify: excellent efficiency, impressive real-world range, generous interior space, strong technology integration, outstanding ride comfort, and highly competitive pricing.

There are more powerful SUVs on the market. There are more luxurious SUVs on the market. There are certainly more expensive SUVs on the market. What makes the EX5 EM-i so compelling is how complete the overall package feels. Efficiency, practicality, technology, comfort, and value all come together remarkably well at this price point.

For buyers whose priority is minimising running costs without sacrificing comfort, features, or usability, the Geely EX5 EM-i is one of the most convincing new arrivals in the UAE market today.

Browse through over 27,000 listings and find the best cars for sale in the UAE.

Stay tuned to the UAE’s most popular auto blog for more automotive content.

There’s something deeply satisfying about watching fuel prices climb while your monthly fuel spends remain unchanged, almost. That is the hallmark of the Geely EX5 EM-i, a plug-in hybrid SUV that claims 1,065km of range, costs less than many compact