2026 Geely EX5 Review: A premium-feeling electric SUV at an affordable price?

Author: Danny Thai | 28 Sep 2026

The EX5 has become one of Australia’s most popular EVs. The EX5 (10,737) is the third best-selling EV in the country behind the Tesla Model Y (31,454) and BYD Sealion 7 (17,277). The Geely EX5 Extended Range Inspire costs $45,990 before on-road costs, or roughly $48,500 to $51,000 drive-away depending on your state and dealer. It’s a mid-size electric SUV, and the 2026 update brings a bigger 68.4kWh battery and more range than the launch model.

It competes with the BYD Atto 3 (from about $43,600 drive-away), Leapmotor C10 (from $47,990 drive-away), Deepal S07 (recently offered at $47,990 drive-away), MG S5 EV Essence 62 ($47,990 before on-roads) and Kia EV5 (from about $49,990 drive-away).

The EX5 suits buyers who want a comfortable, well-finished family SUV for suburban and highway driving and care more about cabin quality than sharp handling or class-leading range. If that’s you, it’s well worth a test drive

✅ Pros

❌ Cons

Cabin quality well above the price point

Soft suspension gets unsettled over big bumps and through corners

Quiet, comfortable ride on smooth roads

410-litre boot is on the smaller side

Long equipment list, including massage and ventilated front seats

Generic exterior styling

7-year warranty and low capped-price servicing

No frunk for cable storage

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Third best-selling EV in Australia in 2026 to date

Expert Rating: Very Good

Price and Key Features

Geely sells the EX5 Extended Range in two grades: Complete at $41,990 and Inspire at $45,990, both before on-road costs. The Inspire adds a glass roof, larger 19-inch wheels and more comfort features, but gives up 25km of range to the Complete.

Highlights:

15.4-inch touchscreen with Flyme Auto software
10.2-inch digital driver display and 13.4-inch head-up display
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired or wireless Android Auto
Heated and ventilated front seats with six-mode massage
Power-extendable front passenger leg rest
16-speaker, 1000W Flyme Sound audio system
Panoramic glass roof and 19-inch alloy wheels
360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and lane centring
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability
5-star ANCAP safety rating

At this price, the EX5 Inspire offers more comfort and technology than nearly all rivals, and it sits well under the luxury car tax threshold, so it qualifies for the FBT exemption on a novated lease. On features per dollar, it’s one of the best picks in the segment

👉 Get an EV novated lease quote to see how the Geely EX5 fits your weekly budge

Exterior Design and Size

The EX5 has clean, inoffensive styling with slim LED lighting and flush surfaces. It doesn’t stand out, and in a busy car park it blends in with other mid-size SUVs. If you want something distinctive, look to other models as the EX5 will not get many second glances.

Length: 4615mm
Width: 1901mm
Height: 1670mm
Wheelbase: 2750mm
Boot: 410 litres (seats up), 1877 litres (seats folded)
Frunk: none

At 4.6 metres long, the EX5 suits small families and fits standard parking bays and suburban garages without trouble.

Interior Space and Design

The cabin is the EX5’s strongest point. Soft-touch surfaces, quilted stitching and a two-tone finish make it look and feel more expensive than its price suggests. It feels closer to a premium brand than a budget one.

The 15.4-inch touchscreen runs Geely’s Flyme Auto software and handles most functions, including climate controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay comes standard, and a February 2026 over-the-air update added wired and wireless Android Auto. The head-up display is large and clear. If you prefer physical buttons for everyday controls, spend time with the screen on your test drive.

Rear seat space is generous for the segment, with enough room for adults on shorter trips and for kids in child seats. Storage includes a centre console bin, an open area under the console, four cupholders and door pockets front and rear.

The generous passenger space comes at the expense of boot space, which At 410 litres, is on the smaller side for the segment. Furthermore with no frunk you’ll store the charging cable under the boot floor. Families with large prams or sports gear should check it the EX5’s boot meets their needs.

On the Road

Around town, the EX5 is quiet and easy to drive. On smooth suburban roads and well-kept highways, the ride is comfortable and settled.

The front-wheel-drive motor produces 160kW and 320Nm, enough for 0 to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. That’s more than quick enough for a family SUV and makes merging and overtaking easy.

The trade-off for the soft ride is lack of body control. Over larger bumps and through corners, the EX5 wallows and feels less composed than other vehicles in the segment. On rough country roads this becomes more noticeable. Most buyers of the EX5 however will not mind this trade-off and be happy with the day to day driving comfort which the EX5 offers. On the highway, adaptive cruise control and lane centring work well and make longer drives less tiring.

Battery, Range and Charging

The EX5 Inspire uses a 68.4kWh LFP battery with a WLTP range of 450km. The Complete grade claims 475km thanks to its lighter roof and smaller wheels. LFP batteries tolerate regular charging to 100%, which suits daily home charging.

In real-world testing, the EX5 used about 15.1kWh/100km, which works out to roughly 450km of mixed driving. Expect around 460km to 490km in city driving and closer to 360km to 390km at sustained highway speeds (our estimate).

AC charging: 11kW maximum, about 6.5 hours (0 to 100%) at 11kW or 10.3 hours on a 7kW home wall charger
DC fast charging: 100kW peak, about 20 minutes for 30 to 80%
V2L: standard

In 2026, the 100kW DC rate is fine for road trips but slower than some newer rivals. Owners who charge at home won’t be impacted by DC charging speeds.

👉 Get a quote for an EV novated lease and see what the Geely EX5 could cost you per week.

Warranty and Running Costs

Vehicle warranty: 7 years, unlimited kilometres
Battery warranty: 8 years, unlimited kilometres
Roadside assistance: up to 7 years when serviced through Geely
Service intervals: 12 months or 20,000km
Servicing cost: $2052 over 7 years, or about $293 per year (capped pricing locked in until 31 December 2026)

With low servicing costs and electricity instead of fuel, the EX5 will cost significantly less to run each year than a comparable petrol mid-size SUV, especially if you charge at home.

Should You Buy the Geely EX5?

The Geely EX5 Inspire suits buyers who want a comfortable, well-equipped family SUV with a cabin that feels far more expensive than it is. It works best for suburban commuting and highway trips on good roads, and its warranty and servicing costs are among the best in the segment.

Its weaknesses, while obvious, will not affect everyone. The soft suspension loses composure on rough roads and in corners, the boot is smaller than key rivals, and 100kW DC charging is only average. If you drive long distances often or need maximum cargo space, consider other options like the Leapmotor C10 and Kia EV5.

For most buyers who charge at home and value comfort and features, the EX5 is a strong choice at this price. If you don’t need the glass roof and extra comfort features, the cheaper Complete grade offers more range for $4000 less.

Final verdict: Very Good

👉 Thinking about making the switch? Get an EV novated lease quote to compare your options and see if the Geely EX5 fits your budget.

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