We head to Auckland to drive the all-new Geely EX5 EV SUV to Cambridge, take the Riddara ute for some light off-roading, then jump in the all-new Starray EM-i to finish the drive to Taupo – then drive the Starray back to Auckland.

Geely Starray EM-i

  • Complete – $45,990
  • Inspire – $49,990

Launch offer until December 31st, or while stocks last:

  • 3-years free scheduled servicing
  • Premium paint ($950 saving)
  • 15,000km of Road User Charges

Starray EM-i: Range summary

The range-starting Complete variant comes standard with a 15.4- inch infotainment screen running Geely’s innovative Flyme operating system, surround-view monitor, wireless Apple CarPlay (Android Auto to follow via OTA update in Q1 2026) and a six-speaker sound system.

Geely Connected Services access is also supplied for the first two years of ownership, allowing owners to access Geely App remote functions, in-unit media streaming and apps, and Over the Air (OTA) updates on the go.

Standard features of the Complete variant include automatic climate controls, LED headlights, satellite navigation, and heated front seats.

Leading the Starray EM-i range, the Inspire variant adds a 16-speaker Flyme sound system, panoramic powered sunroof, head-up display (HUD), among other specifications.

The Inspire variant offers enhanced convenience features for an optimal driver experience claims Geely, including front seat ventilation, driver’s seat memory, power tailgate, and the ability to select from 256 ambient colour lighting options.

Both Complete and Inspire variants are offered in six colours. Alpine White comes standard, while premium paint options Polar Black, Cloudveil Silver, Volcanic Grey, Glacier Blue and Jungle Green cost MRP $950. Two interior colours are available, with Ebony Black available across both trims and Ivory White exclusive to Inspire.

2025 Geely Starray EM-i: Super-Hybrid

Powering the Starray EM-i is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an 11-in-1 electric drive unit, which comprises two electric motors. The electric system produces 160kW of power and 262Nm of torque. Power is sent through the hybrid system to the front wheels exclusively. Supporting this hybrid system is an 18.4kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, granting Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality with a maximum power output of 6kW.

The Geely Starray EM-i can travel up to 83km (WLTP) on pure electric power alone, allowing for daily commutes sans combustion power or emissions. For longer drives and road trips, the EM-i super3 hybrid system balances electric and combustion power.

The EM-i system enables the driver to select from 3 driving modes, allowing for a customisation of efficiency based on their dynamic needs:

  • Pure: Electric only for BEV smoothness and maximum cost efficiency
  • Hybrid: Seamless switching between Electric and Petrol for maximum range and fuel efficiency
  • Power: Electric and Petrol working in tandem for maximum performance

While Geely’s hybrid model can be plugged in and charged via AC (6.6kW) or DC (30kW) power, Geely promises that the driving experience remains consistent, regardless of the onboard battery’s state-of-charge. The 18.4kWh battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes.

Riddara ute

2025 Geely Starray EM-i: Design

Beginning with the exterior of the Starray EM-i, at the front the model has a “prominent face” thanks to a ‘layered’ LED headlight design with 264 individual beads, providing up to 184m of lighting distance.

The front end has been sculpted to aid with aerodynamics, with the model having a drag coefficient of just 0.288cd to maximise the vehicle’s efficiency.

At the rear of the Starray EM-i, a full body-width LED lightbar prominently features as a hallmark, incorporating 368 individual LED beads and a total length spanning 2240mm.

Inside Geely’s new model is a ‘Golden Triangle’ of screens incorporates a 15.4-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.8 head-up display (on top spec Inspire).

Riddara ute interior

2025 Geely Starray EM-i: Warranty

Every Geely Starray EM-i sold in New Zealand will come standard with a 7-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty. Geely has an 8-year unlimited km warranty on its high voltage battery pack.

Up to 7 years of roadside assist are also included when consistently serviced within the Geely dealer network.

2025 Geely Starray EM-i: Safety

Both Complete and Inspire variants include the following features as standard:

• 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain and 1 Centre)

• Multi-Collision Braking System

• High Beam Assist

• Rear Parking Sensors

• Surround View Monitor with 3D Vehicle View

• Low Speed Pedestrian Alert

• Seatbelt Reminders

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Brake

• Collision Mitigation Support Front and Rear

• Lane Keeping Assistant

• Traffic Sign Information

• Door Open Warning

• Lane Changing Assist4

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

• Hill Descent Control (HDC)

• Adaptive Cruise Control

• Intelligent Cruise Control

• Blind Spot Detection

• Emergency Lane Keeping Assist

• Occupant Detection Alert

• Driver Fatigue Alert

Starray EM-i grade rundown

Complete (MRP $45,990) Inspire (MRP $49,490)

• 18-inch Alloy Wheels

• LED Headlights, Taillights And Daytime Running Lights

• 15.4-inch Infotainment Screen

• 10.2-inch Digital Instrument Cluster

• Wireless Apple Carplay

• Wireless Android Auto (via Q1 2026 OTA)

• Satellite Navigation

• Six-speaker Sound System

• Automatic Climate Control

• Powered Front Seats

• Heated Seats (Front Row)

All as included with the Complete, plus:

• 19-inch Alloy Wheels

• Panoramic Powered Sunroof

• 13.4-inch Head-Up Display

• Wireless Smartphone Charging

• 16-Speaker Flyme Sound System

• Power Tailgate

• Front Parking Sensors

• 256 Colour Ambient Lighting

• Front Seat Ventilation

• Driver’s Seat Memory

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Fred Alvrez
How on earth to start this? I've been car/bike/truck crazy since I was a teen. Like John, I had the obligatory Countach poster on the wall. I guess I'm more officially into classic and muscle cars than anything else - I currently have a '65 Sunbeam Tiger that left the factory the same day as I left the hospital as a newborn with my mother. How could I not buy that car? In 2016 my wife and I drove across the USA in a brand-new Dodge Challenger, and then shipped it home. We did this again in 2019 in a 1990 Chev Corvette - you can read about that trip on DriveLife, and again in 2023 buying a C5 Corvette and shipping it home. I'm a driving instructor and an Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists - trying to do my bit to make our roads safer.

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