2026 Geely Starray EM-i Australia: 83 km WLTP PHEV
Market: AU. Year basis: documented 2026 commercial offering; local calendar-year nomenclature.
Market identity and 2026 changes
Geely’s Starray EM-i, described in the global release as EX5 EM-i, is the plug-in-hybrid answer to buyers who like the form of a modern Chinese family crossover but cannot rely exclusively on public rapid charging. It was launched commercially in Australia in September 2025 and remains relevant to 2026-sale buyers. In Australia the selling name is Starray EM-i. The EX5 EM-i global label is an alias that must be recorded without manufacturing a second vehicle entry for the same lineage and drivetrain just to increase a catalogue count.
Engines, drivetrains and certified data
The official international release specifies a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 73 kW and 125 Nm paired with a 160 kW, 320 Nm electric motor. Geely advertises up to 83 km of electric driving and up to 943 km combined driving range under WLTP conditions for the launch context. These are not Chinese CLTC claims, and they should not be applied to every export trim without a local brochure. A combined distance figure must not be confused with the capacity of the battery.
| Variant | Powertrain | Transmission | Drive | Manufacturer evidence | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian EM-i PHEV | 1.5L four-cylinder petrol 73 kW + 160 kW electric motor | hybrid drive | FWD | engine torque: 125 Nm; motor torque: 320 Nm; WLTP electric: up to 83 km; WLTP total: up to 943 km | WLTP manufacturer |
Buying strengths and trade-offs
Daily charging access is the key ownership variable. Drivers who can plug in overnight and cover most weekday trips within the claimed electric range may enjoy much less engine running than people treating the car as an ordinary petrol SUV. Weekend highway trips bring the petrol engine into the equation; fuel use then varies with state of charge and load. Test the user interface and the transition between electric and petrol operation on the actual grade before assuming the driving experience is seamless.
Alternatives and choosing a grade
The natural shortlist includes hybrid and plug-in versions of established family SUVs, rather than the entirely electric Geely EX5 simply because the names look similar. Separate the fully electric model from EM-i in research and maintenance comparisons: their charging habits, service systems and fuel costs are not equivalent. Geely named further markets as intended rollout locations, but intentions alone are not proof of local 2026 delivery for any unverified country.
Ownership and 2026 used-car checks
A used Australian EM-i should have its charging cable, original local homologation paperwork, recall/VIN status and hybrid servicing checked. Battery age alone cannot establish remaining usable capacity; diagnostic evidence is preferable. Make any warranty comparisons with the Australian terms issued at the time of sale. The numerical WLTP results are idealized cycle values and do not constitute an independent road test.