First Drive: Geely EX5 wants to join BEV market in PH
EX5 is Geely’s BYD Atto 3 fighter. Can it deliver on the promise?
Geely has not had the smoothest of times in the Philippine market as of late.
While they did disrupt the market with the Coolray, Okavango, and Emgrand, the automaker hit several big bumps on the road. Add to that a lineup that needs a full model change, Geely needs a fresh restart.
With the brand now a subsidiary under Geely Automotive International Corporation (GAIC), they are looking to impress again and regain lost ground in the very competitive automotive market here.
As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity, GAIC wanted to show us what they have, and that's how we ended up in the Geely EX5.
This is an all-electric compact crossover that’s looking to take on the BYD Atto 3. They're confident about the EX5's abilities and features, but I was more than curious to test the vehicle at the Ningbo International Circuit in China. With a whole day to familiarize ourselves with Geely's latest EV, we listed down some of the features that stood out when I got to experience the EX5 up close.
Stylish aerodynamics
Some might say the EX5 looks just like a generic crossover that Geely penned. But after getting up close and personal with the EX5, Geely made sure their compact crossover would stand out in the EV arena.
While Geely could have gone for something outlandish, the automaker went for the “less is more” approach. The thin LED headlights are complemented by a pair of LED daytime running lights along with J-shaped lighting signatures. While I initially wanted Geely to give the EX5 a faux grille, the clean front fascia design of the electric crossover does give it a bit of charm.
What I really liked about the EX5’s looks is its rear, as the lights remind me of the Porsche Macan. The aesthetic of the tailgate, flush door handles, and diamond-cut alloy wheels also give the EX5 an upmarket look. It's no high-end luxury EV, but it certainly has the sophistication of one. My only wish: I hope they offer plenty of color choices once the EX5 arrives here in the Philippines.
Lightweight and responsive acceleration
Most EVs are known for being quick off the line thanks to the instantaneous torque from their electric motor (or motors) despite being quite heavy due to the battery pack. To help reduce weight, Geely developed an 11-in-1 electric drive unit (EDU). BYD does something similar, and the result is an assembly that combines the electric motor, inverter, and gear reduction system into a single unit.
That means enhanced modularity for ease of assembly and reduced weight. The EDU tips the scales at around 80 kg; which makes it lighter than many internal combustion engines.
With 218 PS and 320 Nm of torque on tap, the EX5 has sports car-like acceleration. The drivetrain was designed to reduce parasitic loss. Mashing the accelerator of the EX5 rewards the driver with an instant lunge with linear power delivery.
Geely claims a time of 0 - 100 km/h of 6.9 seconds although my best efforts only resulted in 7.4 seconds. Still, this will impress enthusiasts who want a fun but practical zero-emissions family mover.
Did I forget to mention it’s available with a 60.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack which can give it up to 495 km based on the NEDC cycle or up to 430 km in the WLTP cycle?
A Plush (and Quiet) Ride
Since most EVs tend to be heavy, they have to have a rigid suspension which is great for stability but ride comfort can suffer. Fortunately, that’s not the case for the Geely EX5 as engineers were able to make it have a cushy ride. While it’s not exactly plush like a Mercedes-Benz or Lexus, the ride quality is soft. We'll have to wait until we take it on Philippine roads (the rougher variety) to really see how it performs.
The only drawback? Well, it doesn’t exactly deliver feedback when you’re driving spiritedly. Yes, this is still a compact family crossover meant to deliver the utmost comfort to its occupants. A bit of steering feedback would help give it some driving flair, especially for those who want some fun out of their EVs.
But perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of the EX5 is the attention to Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) lessening. Thanks to the Global Intelligent Electric Architecture (GEA), generous use of sound-absorbing materials, and thousands of hours of NVH testing, the EX5 is whisper quiet.
From opening or closing the doors to pressing every button in the cabin, as well as the hush road noise and tire noise, the Geely EX5 is one of the quietest EVs I’ve ever driven. Some might say the EX5 could be too quiet given its top-notch NVH, but then again, it will give audiophiles more quality time to enjoy their favorite tunes.
Comfy and High-tech Cabin
It’s one thing to appreciate an ergonomic and tech-laden cabin. But it’s another different matter when an automaker can kick it up a notch, especially in the Geely EX5. While it may not be as flashy as the BYD Atto 3’s interior, the EX5’s cabin looks more upscale and high-end thanks to the spacious center console, 256-color LED ambient lighting, generous use of light shades of color, and the power-adjustable front seats complete with a massage function.
Also worth mentioning are the two digital displays on the dashboard. One is a 10-inch instrument panel while the other is a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Both screens have crisp graphics and can show various information with ease. The screen can also serve as the climate control system although I do wish it still came with physical buttons to adjust cabin temperature.
There’s also a heads-up display, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear center armrests, selectable drive modes (Normal, Eco, and Sport), countless features on the touchscreen media display, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless charging pad, and countless USB (Type A and Type C) charging ports.
What is nice is the 16 speakers system although I wasn’t able to test the sound quality. Unfortunately, there appears to be no sign of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as Geely opted to make their infotainment system dubbed FlyMe. We don't think that will fly in the Philippines, so we hope they rectify that with those two essentials that customers look for.
Great EV but too little too late?
After getting to test the EX5 for almost the entire day around a race track, I’m happy to say that Geely has something special on their hands. Being a relatively latecomer to the game, Geely was able to do their homework with their compact crossover EV.
Combined with a driving range of over 400 km, the Geely EX5 is out to take on the likes of the Atto 3 from BYD. However, it will take some time before the EX5 actually makes it here in the Philippines. With other brands already getting into the BEV game, perhaps Geely Philippines might be taking a little too much time, especially since BYD is on the charge and so is Tesla.
There’s also the fact that the focus now has shifted towards range-extended EVs (REEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) instead of battery electric vehicles (BEV). While there are still customers looking to get a stylish crossover EV that won’t break the bank, REEVs could prove to become more popular in the long run since there are still concerns about range anxiety when it comes to BEVs.
The Philippine EV market is moving fast, and in all kinds of directions depending on the manufacturer. What Geely has going for it is how they reset the expectations of how well-made a Chinese automobile can be. But they need to get a move on. Time is not on their side.
