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What makes the Geely EX5 EM-i a competitive PHEV?

The EX5 EM-i is well worth a look in today’s competitive market.

Jerome Tresvalles
What makes the Geely EX5 EM-i a competitive PHEV?

Electrification in the local auto industry is getting a massive uptick and it can be argued that a significant portion of interest is centered around PHEVs or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Plug-in-hybrids offer drivers the opportunity to cut back on their dependence on fuel by providing a bigger battery and electric-only driving. Meaning as long as the batteries are topped up, PHEVs won't use a drop of fuel until you absolutely need them as in the case of longer trips.

Geely has made their move to cut their own slice of the action and has started offering electrified models of their own. It started with the fully-electric EX5 which was then followed by the EX5 EM-i, a PHEV version for those who can't jump into full electrification just yet.

Our focus for today is on the EX5 EM-i and though it may be a bit late compared to its rivals, in a battle of features and value for money, we think Geely's PHEV can put up a good fight. How so? Read on to find out.

Related: Five cool things about the new Geely Coolray
Engine

Let's get straight to the part everyone wants to know about first. Under the hood, the EX5 EM-i runs a 1.5-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine paired with an electric motor through a single-speed dedicated hybrid automatic transmission. Combined, the system puts out 98 hp of engine power and 214 hp from the electric motor, with torque figures sitting at 125 Nm and 262 Nm respectively. Drive goes to the front wheels.

The battery is a 18.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate unit sourced from CATL, one of the most trusted names in the battery business. Electric-only range is rated at 105 km under NEDC testing, which in real-world terms should still get you through a solid day of city driving without touching the fuel. And when you do need the engine, combined fuel consumption is rated at a claimed 1.2L/100km under NEDC, or 4.3L/100km combined. The WLTP figure, meanwhile, comes in at 41.6 km/L. The fuel tank is a 51-liter unit, so range anxiety on longer trips really shouldn't be a concern here.

DC fast charging is supported up to 30 kW, with a 20-minute charge time from 30 to 80 percent. For home or overnight charging, AC tops out at 6.6 kW. It's a well-rounded setup that covers most use cases and has more than adequate power for all situations on the road.

Interior

Step inside and the EX5 EM-i offers an interior that feels more premium than its price suggests. The dashboard is wrapped in leatherette on both variants, and the steering wheel gets a microfiber leather-wrapped multifunction design. Seating is perforated PVC on the Pro, while the Max gets ventilated front seats and a memory function for the driver's seat, which is a thoughtful touch for households sharing a car.

Both variants offer a six-way adjustable driver's seat, though the Max steps it up with power adjustment. Rear passengers aren't forgotten either. There's a central headrest, a fold-down central armrest, and a trunk shade. A split-folding rear seat rounds things out for practicality. Ambient lighting comes in 256 colors, which might sound like a marketing gimmick but genuinely does lift the cabin atmosphere in the evenings. The panoramic power sunroof on the Max is a nice bonus too.

Trunk space is rated at 528 liters with seats up, folding down to 2,065 liters. For a PHEV where the battery pack takes up its own real estate, those are competitive numbers.

infotainment

The EX5 EM-i comes equipped with a 15.4-inch HD touchscreen running the FLYME AUTO in-vehicle infotainment system. Above the steering wheel sits a 10.2-inch LCD instrument cluster, and both variants get a W-HUD windshield head-up display as standard. It's a clean, modern setup that doesn’t feel cramped despite the abundance of screens.

For audio, the Pro gets a 6-speaker system while the Max upgrades to a 16-speaker FLYME SOUND arrangement that includes two headrest speakers. Apple CarPlay is supported, alongside Bluetooth, FM radio, and dual-zone front audio control. Wireless charging, a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) power supply, and a Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) function are Max-exclusive features, but V2L in particular is increasingly useful for outdoor activities or emergency situations. Connectivity-wise, dual USB ports in Type-A and Type-C configurations are available throughout. It's a solid tech stack that covers both the daily commuter and the weekend road-tripper.

ADAS

Geely has tapped into Volvo's safety DNA here, and the ADAS suite on the EX5 EM-i reflects that. Both variants come with Electronic Parking Brake, Auto Vehicle Hold, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation Support from the front, Traffic Sign Identification, and Intelligent High Beam Control. That's a fairly comprehensive lineup without even getting to the Max-only features.

The Max adds Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Door Open Warning, Lane Changing Assist, and Blind Spot Detection. On the safety hardware side, both variants run an Electronic Stability Control system, Anti-lock Brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and a Multi-Collision Braking system. Six airbags are standard, along with front and rear parking radars on the Max and a 360-degree panoramic camera for both. For a car in this price range, the breadth of that safety net is quite hard to argue with.

Geely EX5 EM-i Exterior

Geely Philippines has made it a point to offer Filipino drivers more features than the price they pay for and that is the same case for the EX5 EM-i. The range starts with the Geely EX5 EM-i Pro at P1,288,000 and tops out at EX5 EM-i Max P1,468,000. In addition, the EX5 EM-i comes backed by a six-year or 150,000 km warranty, plus a lifetime battery warranty of up to 8 years. That warranty package alone adds real ownership confidence, particularly for buyers who are still cautious about committing to electrified vehicles.

Geely EX5 EM-i Exterior

With everything the EX5 EM-i brings to the table, from its CATL battery and respectable electric range to its well-specced interior and comprehensive ADAS suite, it's shaping up to be a credible option in a segment that's getting busier by the month. It may have arrived a little later than some of its rivals, but on paper, it's got plenty to offer. 

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