Geely Starray EM-I Review: Lotus-Tuned Plug-In Hybrid SUV Aims for Family Buyers
Geely's second UK model, the Starray EM-I, blends generous electric range, strong interior quality, and excellent equipment levels at a competitive price point, targeting the growing family SUV market.
Timely Arrival in a Booming Market
The Geely Starray EM-I's launch is perfectly timed, as plug-in hybrid models are proving hugely popular with buyers, with sales up 35 percent in 2025. Chinese car manufacturers have quickly capitalised on this trend, with brands like Chery, Omoda, MG, and BYD all offering PHEVs starting around the £30,000 mark—exactly where the Starray enters the fray.
Despite being only Geely's second model to reach the UK, it arrives with the assurance of a company that has been building cars at scale for decades, backed by a global group that includes Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Smart. The Starray EM-I is a plug-in hybrid SUV designed from the outset as a dedicated model, rather than an adapted petrol vehicle. Geely describes it as a "super hybrid," a marketing term that reflects its intent to deliver meaningful electric-only driving for daily use, without sacrificing the security of a petrol engine or the familiarity of rapid refuelling on longer journeys.
Positioning and Pricing
Positioned squarely in the mid-size family SUV segment, the Starray EM-I is offered in three trims: Pro, Max, and Ultra. Prices start at £29,990 and rise to £34,990. The mid-range Max version, priced at £32,690, appears to be the sweet spot in the lineup, combining a smaller battery with a very generous level of standard equipment.
Platform and Engineering
Under the skin, the Starray EM-I sits on Geely's Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture, a flexible platform engineered to support electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extender powertrains. This platform, already used by the similarly-sized, fully-electric Geely EX5, allows the battery to sit low in the structure while pushing the wheels out to the corners, freeing up interior space and lowering the centre of gravity.
Geely has leveraged in-house expertise from across its group, with the suspension and chassis undergoing extensive assessment on UK roads, on the Lotus test track, and using multi-post rigs. The aim is to tune the Starray EM-I specifically for British conditions, an important influence for a car aimed at families rather than enthusiasts, where ride and steering quality matter as much as headline figures.
Performance and Driving Experience
On paper, the Starray EM-I looks competitive rather than revolutionary. In reality, it's designed to appeal to buyers who want to do most of their local driving on electric power, enjoying the benefits while retaining the freedom to cover long distances without worrying about charging infrastructure.
All versions use the same basic powertrain layout, combining a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor driving the front wheels. In Max trim, the combined battery and engine offer 258bhp and 262Nm of torque. Performance figures are identical across the range, with all Starray EM-Is accelerating from 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds and having a top speed of just over 105mph. These numbers are more than sufficient for a family-focused plug-in hybrid, and the car never feels underpowered in practice.
Battery, Range, and Charging
The Max version features an 18.4kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, delivering a claimed electric-only range of up to 51 miles on the WLTP cycle. This is enough to cover the vast majority of daily journeys without engaging the petrol engine, provided regular charging. Combined range, with the 51-litre fuel tank, stretches to a claimed 585 miles.
DC charging is possible at up to 30kW on Pro and Max models, allowing a 30-80 percent top-up in around 20 minutes under ideal conditions. Using a 7kW home wallbox, a 25-100 percent charge takes roughly three hours. The larger 29.8kWh battery, offering up to 84 miles of electric range and faster 60kW DC charging, is reserved for the more expensive Ultra version.
Driving Modes and Efficiency
There are three driving modes: Pure mode runs the car as an EV, Hybrid mode blends petrol and electric power automatically, and Power mode prioritises performance by using both together. Switching between electric and petrol operation is impressively seamless. The engine remains subdued in normal driving, becoming more noticeable only under heavy acceleration.
In mixed UK driving—including motorway work, faster urban routes, and town traffic—the car's trip computer showed an indicated 99.9mpg. While this figure is optimistic, it underscores the system's effectiveness when the battery is used properly.
On-Road Dynamics
The Lotus influence is clear on the road. The ride is firm but controlled, managing to knock the sharpest edges off larger bumps while maintaining good composure. It could arguably be a little softer for a family SUV, but it never feels uncomfortable. The steering has a natural weight and good accuracy, and body control is impressive for a relatively tall car.
The Starray EM-I feels easy to drive, aided by good visibility and a tight turning circle. A suite of cameras provides a 540-degree view, including an under-car perspective, making parking and low-speed manoeuvres straightforward.
Interior, Practicality, and Boot Space
Step inside the Starray EM-I, and the first impression is one of quality. The interior design is clean and modern, with soft-touch materials throughout and an attractive finish across the dashboard centre. It feels more premium than many other Chinese rivals, particularly in materials and attention to detail.
Synthetic leather upholstery is standard across the range, and the overall cabin design is understated rather than flashy. Visibility is excellent, thanks to a deep windscreen and large side windows, creating an airy and easy-to-place feel.
Space is a real strength. There's generous room up front, and in the back, a six-foot-tall adult can sit comfortably behind a similarly tall driver. Rear legroom is excellent, and the flat floor maximises available space.
The boot is equally impressive, offering 528 litres of luggage space with the seats up, expanding to 2,065 litres with the rear seats folded flat. This puts the Starray EM-I among the best in its class for practicality, with the powered tailgate on the Max model adding convenience.
Technology, Stereo, and Infotainment
The dash is dominated by a large 15.4-inch ultra-HD central touchscreen with a 2.5K resolution. It looks excellent and responds quickly, though the steering wheel slightly obscures the bottom right-hand corner from the driver's seat.
Ahead of the driver is a 10-inch digital display, supplemented in Max trim by a 13.8-inch full-colour head-up display, which proves clear, intuitive, and genuinely useful in everyday driving.
However, there is a heavy reliance on the touchscreen for many functions. Even opening the panoramic sunroof sunshade requires a screen interaction, and some controls—like the rear demister—aren't immediately obvious. A small row of physical buttons on the centre console handles front demisting, air recirculation, automatic climate control, and air-conditioning, but some everyday functions feel buried in the digital systems.
A customisable rotary controller on the centre console helps alleviate touchscreen overload and feels well-judged in use. The Flyme sound system, with a 16-speaker setup in the Max model, offers good clarity and separation, though it could benefit from more bass. A clever touch is the inclusion of speakers in the driver's headrest, allowing navigation prompts or messages to be directed solely to the driver.
Prices and Running Costs
The Starray EM-I range starts at £29,990 for the Pro, rises to £32,690 for the Max, and tops out at £34,990 for the Ultra with the larger battery. Equipment levels are generous across the board, with the Max adding features like the head-up display, panoramic sunroof, premium audio system, and powered tailgate.
All models come with Geely Care Plus, which includes an eight-year or 125,000-mile warranty and four years of roadside assistance. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 10,000 miles, and at launch, Geely is offering 0 percent APR finance.
Verdict
The Geely Starray EM-I makes a strong case for plug-in hybrid power done properly. It delivers a genuinely useful electric range, a smooth and well-integrated hybrid system, and an interior that feels both high-quality and spacious.
While it isn't the most distinctive SUV to look at, and the touchscreen-heavy control layout won't suit everyone, as a comfortable, practical family car for buyers not quite ready to go fully electric, it's a very convincing package.
