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2026 Geely Coolray Review

Can the Coolray still win us over today?

Jerome Tresvalles
2026 Geely Coolray Review

The Coolray was Geely’s showstopper back when it first relaunched in the Philippines in 2019. The affordable, turbocharged crossover won the hearts of Filipino buyers at a time when Chinese cars weren’t as widely accepted as they are today. 

Over the years, Geely has stuck with the Coolray, improving and freshening up a strong formula. Still, a car can’t stay competitive without a major overhaul in its lifetime. The car we have today is the 2026 Geely Coolray.  It still has a punchy engine, a refined interior, and a crossover body, but now in a more refreshing, even sportier design.

Is this enough to keep the Coolray in contention with the younger generation? Read on to find out what we think.

4.0 / 5
2026 Geely Coolray Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.0/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.5/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 3.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 3.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.5/5
What You Will Like
  • Build quality is solid
  • Four-cylinder engine is now more efficient
  • Sporty styling keeps it youthful
What You Won't Like
  • Ride is stiff and on the sportier side
  • Limited ADAS equipment
  • No Android Auto
How We Do Our Reviews

The Coolray line starts at P989,000 for the Comfort Plus variant and tops out at P1,149,000 for the Sport Plus we have on test. At face value, it's a very good value proposition for two reasons. First, it’s even more affordable now compared to when it first came out six years ago. Second, it's also more affordable compared to its rivals in the same size category. Specifically, you’re looking at Lynk & Co’s 06 Origin SE, the Changan CS35 Lux, the GAC Emzoom R-Style, and the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i. 

So on the topic of price, the Coolray still delivers. Let’s move on to the mechanical side of things.

Engine

When we say major overhaul, we really mean it. Geely’s update of the Coolray has given it a new powerplant in the form of a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. One more cylinder than before. This engine produces 172 hp and 290 Nm of torque delivered to the front wheels via a seven-speed DCT. It may have five hp less compared to the three-cylinder engine, but it now produces 13 Nm more torque than before, plus better refinement thanks to a more balanced four-pot format.

Thanks to this year’s sharp fuel price hike, we’re getting straight to the good news for the new Coolray. The previous three-cylinder model managed around seven km per liter in the city and about 15 km on the highway. With the addition of an extra cylinder, the new Coolray now achieves eight km in the city and 20 km on the highway, a very impressive improvement.

Geely Coolray Exterior 1

The 2026 Geely Coolray doesn’t stray too far from the sharp, youthful look that made it stand out. Geely refines this formula even more. 

Up front, the fascia is where most of the updates are concentrated. Geely dropped the ‘Expanding Cosmos’ front end and now, the grille looks wider and more integrated into the bumper, giving the nose a lower, planted stance. Slimmer LED headlights stretch toward the fenders, visually widening the car even further. 

Geely Coolray Exterior Side

From the side, the Coolray sticks to familiar territory. The compact proportions remain, along with a rising beltline and a slightly sloped roof that adds a hint of coupe-like flair. The sportiness is accentuated further by the Coolray’s large 18-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone color and multi-spoke design.

Geely Coolray Exterior Rear

Around the back, the changes are more restrained. The taillights retain their angular shape, now with a more refined internal LED signature. A roof-mounted spoiler finished in faux carbon and a sculpted tailgate keep the sporty theme intact, while the lower bumper adds a bit of visual weight. Capping off the rear design are the quad exhausts, which, while functional, may seem a bit overkill considering the Coolray isn’t a car you’d necessarily take to the track.

Geely Coolray Exterior Rear
Geely Coolray Exterior Trunk 2nd Row Folded
Geely Coolray Exterior 2nd Row UP

Open the power rear trunk, and it will reveal 330-liters of space, enough for a single balikbayan box with enough space for a few more bags in between. Folding the 60/40 split rear seats will let you fit two additional boxes. However, because of the Coolray’s high loading lip, some people may struggle with stowing heavier items into the car.

Inside, in the second row, the Coolray surprises with the amount of space it provides despite being a relatively compact car. Headroom and legroom are decent, even with the addition of a panoramic sunroof. The seats are very comfortable and ergonomic, and the low center tunnel allows three people to sit in comfort. Meanwhile, the design of the Coolray’s interior is sporty without being too over the top. Black upholstery with red accents strewn in between gives it extra character, and the door cards feature a mix of matte and glossy plastics with a bit of soft-touch materials for a premium feel.

Geely Coolray Seats

As for amenities back here, the rear passengers get their own air vents, a single USB Type-A charger, a small cubby hole in the center box, a center armrest with two cup holders, and, of course, bottle holders on both doors. 

Geely Coolray Dashboard

Up front, the first thing anyone will notice is the heavily refreshed dashboard. The instrument cluster and the infotainment system now come in a single housing, making it look uniform and whole. As for the infotainment, as of testing, it only comes with Apple CarPlay and no Android Auto. Despite this, the infotainment system itself is easy and intuitive to use. The build quality is still solid, no rattles and squeaks to note, and everything feels sturdy and tough. 

Geely Coolray infotainment
Geely Coolray Instrument Cluster
Geely Coolray Shifter

As for amenities, you get power-adjustable, ventilated seats, which is quite surprising for this price point. Sadly, the passenger seat is manual, but it isn’t a deal breaker. Moving on, you get a multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, cruise control, tilt and telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel, two Type-A charging ports, a 12V socket, and lots of cubby spaces. Physical air controls are still available in the center, which we love. 

Geely Coolray Steering Wheel

What we don’t love up front is the lack of physical buttons for volume, which is a bit of a letdown. There’s also plenty of piano black plastic around the shifter that will get old pretty quickly. Luckily, it’s confined to a small area, so it’s forgivable.

Despite losing a few horses, the Coolray’s drive remains largely unchanged. It’s still peppy, responsive, and plenty powerful. The addition of an extra cylinder brings a bit more refinement, though the previous three-cylinder engine was already fairly smooth, so the difference is marginal. Where the new engine really shines, as mentioned earlier, is in fuel efficiency.

Geely Coolray Rolling Shot

The Coolray’s DCT isn’t the best in the segment, but it’s far from the worst. It still exhibits the slight twitchiness typical of dual-clutch transmissions, but overall it’s livable and just takes some getting used to.

As for comfort, we would have preferred if the Coolray’s ride were a bit softer for a crossover at this size and price point. Right now, the Coolray’s suspension tuning is a touch too stiff and harsh. We think more plush and less sporty would benefit the Coolray. 

Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) suppression remains impressive. The cabin is well insulated against wind and tire noise, and engine vibrations are virtually imperceptible inside.

Geely Coolray Exterior 2
Geely Coolray Taillights
Geely Coolray Front Fascia

On the topic of advanced driver assist systems, the Coolray lags behind its contemporaries, possibly as a way for Geely to balance features and affordability. That said, its rivals aren’t priced much higher, and if it wants to stay competitive, the pared-down ADAS suite could work against it. On the upside, ADAS isn’t the main reason someone buys a car, and drivers have different priorities and preferences, and may find the savings more worthwhile.

Geely Coolray Front Bumper

Where do we stand on the Geely Coolray? At its price point and size, it still holds on to the strong value proposition it introduced back in 2019, offering standout features at an accessible price.

That said, the competition has since caught up, with rivals now offering similar features and then some for a slight bump in price. Still, that doesn’t mean the Coolray isn’t worth a second look. For what it asks, you’re getting a sharp subcompact crossover with a sporty drive at an attainable price.

It’s also worth noting that the Coolray is now more affordable than when it first launched, which only strengthens its case as a solid deal. If you think the Geely Coolray is the right crossover for you, visit the Geely Car Guide on AutoDeal.com.ph.

Specifications

Engine

1.5 L

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Performance

172 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name Geely Coolray 1.5 Sport Plus
Body Type Crossover
Price ₱1,149,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

Geely Coolray - Purple Prism Purple Prism
Geely Coolray- Voltaic Teal Voltaic Teal
Geely Coolray- Fireblast Red Fireblast Red
Geely Coolray- Blue Gray Blue Gray
Geely Coolray - Bolt White Bolt White

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