First look at the all-new Geely EX5 SUV

Geely isn’t new to Britain, it already owns Volvo, Polestar and the iconic London black cab maker LEVC, but the all-electric EX5 is the first car to wear the Geely badge on our roads.

Geely EX5 Lands in the UK: Specs, Price & Rivervale Preview

When Rivervale’s Marketing Manager, Ben Freakley slipped through the doors of a hush-hush preview event earlier this year, he became one of the first people in Britain to sit inside the pre-production Geely EX5, weeks before the car appeared on the LEVC stand at Company Car in Action in June, months before its public debut, which was 23 October 2025.

Geely: a “new” badge backed by household names

Despite the fresh script on the tailgate, Geely is anything but a start-up. The Zhejiang-based group owns or co-owns:

• Volvo Cars, Polestar and Lotus – the brands that put it on Europe’s radar when Volvo was purchased from Ford in 2010

• LEVC, builder of the London black cab, produced in Coventry

• Smart (50 % stake, with Mercedes-Benz)

• Farizon, its fast-growing commercial-vehicle arm now preparing the electric Super Van to square up to Maxus and Ford

Add in minority holdings in Mercedes-Benz Group and a sibling roster that includes Zeekr, Lynk & Co and Proton, and it’s clear Geely arrives with serious firepower, plus a UK R&D foothold via Lotus Engineering in Norfolk.

Meet the EX5: the first “pure” Geely in the UK

Key facts (UK-spec prototype)	Figure / feature
Battery (usable)	60.2 kWh LFP
WLTP range (est.)	≈ 267 miles
Motor / drive	160 kW (215 bhp), FWD
0-62 mph	6.9 s
DC charging	30–80 % in ~20 min @ 150 kW
Pricing From (OTR inc. VAT)	c. £31,990

A spacious, family-friendly cabin

• A flat floor and near-lounge-like rear bench give genuine adult-friendly leg-room, more generous than a Tesla Model Y.

• Kids will love the hidden drawer under the middle rear seat – ideal for stashing sweets or travel games on a long haul.

• Up front, the driver faces a 10.2-inch digital cluster and 15.4-inch central touchscreen, with most functions handled through Geely’s Flyme OS. A head-up display and seat massage appear on the top Inspire trim.

• Materials feel a step above mainstream: padded dash, faux-leather “GeeLuxe” seats and tasteful wood-grain panels, yet the target price sits tens of thousands below premium rivals.

Engineered for British roads

Before sign-off, Lotus Engineering has been fettling chassis tune and steering feel to match our bumpier B-roads. The result should be a ride-comfort bias (good news for families) without the floatiness some early Chinese EVs displayed.

Where does the EX5 sit in the market?

Think of it as a size-for-size alternative to:

• BMW iX3 (from £63k)

• Skoda Enyaq (from £39k)

• Tesla Model Y (from £45k)

• Peugeot E-3008 (from £37k)

On paper, the Geely matches the segment on range and performance, but undercuts many on price and throws in big-car kit – HUD, V2L, seat massage – that’s costly or absent elsewhere.

What it’s like out on the road

The Geely EX5 starts from £31,990 and delivers far more than you’d expect for the price. It’s not a sporty SUV you’ll want to throw around a track, but that’s not the point. This is a smooth, comfortable drive that feels built for long distances, ideal for those clocking up miles or considering a car through a salary sacrifice scheme.

It’s a car that feels like it’s been designed by someone who does the school run. There are plenty of handy storage cubbies, tech that’ll keep the kids entertained (and bragging), and a premium feel without the premium-badge pressure.

At this price point, the EX5 could easily become one of the sleeper hits of 2025.

To explore Personal and Business leasing deals, or to watch our in-depth review, visit rivervale.co.uk or search Rivervale Geely EX5.