5 Reasons why the Geely Azkarra should be your next compact crossover

There's a wide range of compact crossovers available in the Philippines today. Left and right, automakers are bringing in their respective contenders to quench the market's thirst for competitive crossovers with lots to offer. Among these is Geely, which has the Azkarra for your consideration. It currently competes with the likes of the Ford Territory and Honda HR-V. 

More than two years since its local launch, the Azkarra remains an attractive option for those looking for a handsome, tech-packed compact crossover. Here are all the reasons we think it should be your next ride.

Geely has been known in recent years for putting out well-designed vehicles that communicate the brand's refined and sophisticated bent. The Azkarra is no exception in this regard, as it features an inspired expression of Geely's newer design language.

It starts with the Expanding Cosmos grille lifted out of a Volvo concept vehicle from 2011. It's decidedly unique in chrome, flanked by sleek LED headlights with LED indicators and DRLs. Chrome elements appear throughout the car, giving the Azkarra a premium-leaning look. The floating roofline is also pleasing to the eyes and makes the crossover look sporty and youthful.

Overall, the Azkarra still turns heads with its European-like design. Its looks have stayed appealing and will likely be the case for several more years.

Inside, the Geely Azkarra gives off a luxurious impression. You'll immediately notice the brown Nappa leather seats on this five-seater compact crossover. The Azkarra's well-appointed interior boasts an ergonomic cockpit with a flat-bottom steering wheel clad in leather, a panoramic Starry Sky sunroof, and tactile button controls for the air-conditioning unit.

The Azkarra punches above its price point with a premium look for its interior. A generous helping of leather cladding provides a cozy feel, perhaps only topped by the 42-color ambient lighting customizable through the touchscreen.

Of course, one of the main selling points of the Azkarra is its infusion of attractive technology, the most exciting of which is the high-definition 12.3-inch infotainment system. While it lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as many Chinese cars do, Geely's operating system is far from lackluster and provides users with a stellar user experience. Combined with an eight-speaker sound system, the Azkarra looks primed for entertainment.

Other than that, Geely equipped the Azkarra with a seven-inch LCD instrument panel that displays all the information you need behind the wheel. Then, a full-range 360-degree panoramic camera system with four HD cameras covers the exterior, making parking and maneuvering in tight spaces a breeze. Other modern fixtures include an onboard wireless charger and a smart electric tailgate with position memory functionality.

If you're in the market for a tech-packed crossover with nearly all the bells and whistles, the Geely Azkarra might be the one.

Geely didn't just pack all the tech it has inside the Azkarra, as it didn't forget to furnish the engine bay with an advanced motor. Look under the hood, and you'll find a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline power plant with a 48V EMS mild hybrid system. It delivers a combined power output of 190 hp and up to 300 Nm of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) sends power to all four wheels. It does 0 to 100 km/h in a relatively pedestrian 9.88 seconds, but we all know no one is taking the Azkarra to the tracks. For its purposes, the Azkarra provides more than enough power for daily driving and weekend trips out of town.

The Geely Azkarra is one of the few mainstream hybrid models in the Philippines right now, and it deserves consideration if you're looking for a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. 

Safety has always been a prime concern for crossover buyers. They want to feel secure after paying well over a million pesos for a modern vehicle. The Azkarra provides buyers with safety features like six SRS airbags, a CN95 cabin air filter, long-distance headlight illumination, and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold functionality.

The Azkarra keeps occupants safe during light off-roading with real-time all-wheel-drive and a selectable off-road mode, hill start assist, and hill descent control.

With its inspired design, premium interior, hybrid engine, an abundance of tech, and focus on safety—we believe the Geely Azkarra is worth a second and could be the next compact crossover for many of you.