Geely has officially launched its second model in Australia, the 2025 Starray EM-i, a mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV. Priced from $37,490 plus on-road costs, the new Starray EM-i arrives in dealerships this month ahead of first customer deliveries in October, hot on the heels of the EX5 electric SUV the Chinese brand launched earlier this year.
The launch of the Starray EM-i is an important step for Geely and this time, the Chinese brand is targeting one of the fastest-growing parts of the market: electrified SUVs under $40,000.
“Geely continues to pioneer automotive experiences for the customer that break the mould and go farther than ever before,” said Mr Lei Li, CEO of Geely Auto Australia. “With the Starray EM-i we’re connecting Australian families with accessible technology and day-to-day efficiency.”
While Geely is no newcomer to making cars on the world stage, having sold over 2.2 million vehicles in 2024 alone, the Chinese brand’s expansion into Australia has been successful already, with the all-electric EX5 SUV managing to be the country’s third best-selling EV last month.
Unlike some rivals, the Starray EM-i has been developed from the ground up as a plug-in hybrid, rather than a petrol model retrofitted with batteries. At the heart of the SUV is Geely’s new EM-i (E-Motive Intelligence) hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, dual electric motors, and an 18.4kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.
The result is a total system output of 160kW and 262Nm, driving the front wheels. Electric-only driving is possible for up to 83km (WLTP), more than enough to cover most daily commutes without using a drop of petrol. When both petrol and electric power are combined, total range extends to a decent 943km (WLTP). As with all PHEVs, actual petrol consumption is very dependent on how much the battery has been charged for a particular drive.
The battery supports both AC charging (6.6kW) and DC fast charging (30kW), with the latter capable of topping up from 30 to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes. Geely says the driving experience remains consistent regardless of the state of charge, a key reassurance for hybrid buyers.
Drivers can also choose from three driving modes – Pure (electric only), Hybrid (balanced efficiency), and Power (combined output for maximum performance).
Visually, the Starray EM-i carries a bold look with a layered LED headlight design and a full-width rear light bar as seems to be all the rage these days. Overall, it looks neat with some crisp lines and a size rather similar to most other mid-size SUVs. Aerodynamics are aided by a drag coefficient of just 0.288cd to keep energy consumption down.
Inside, there’s a “Golden Triangle” of screens – a 15.4-inch centre touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital cluster, and (in the Inspire) a 13.4-inch head-up display. Notably, Geely has retained some physical buttons and a multi-use dial for the most used functions in the car, such as setting the volume, or the inside temperature.
Practicality has also been prioritised, with over 30 storage spaces and one of the roomiest rear benches in the class, with a height of 1.2 metres from the floor to the ceiling.
Simple line-up, sharp pricing
Two variants make up the local range:
- Complete – $37,490 plus on-road costs
- Inspire – $39,990 plus on-road costs
Both versions are sharply priced below $40,000 before options, making the Starray EM-i one of Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrids.
The entry-level Complete includes features such as a 15.4-inch infotainment screen running Geely’s Flyme operating system, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay (with Android Auto via update in 2026), satellite navigation, heated front seats and a surround-view monitor.
Step up to the Inspire and equipment levels rise to include a 16-speaker Flyme sound system, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, ventilated front seats, and a power tailgate.
Both grades also come with Geely Connected Services for the first two years, enabling remote functions via smartphone, streaming apps, and over-the-air updates.
Ownership and aftersales support
As with the EX5, the Starray EM-i is backed by Geely Care+, the brand’s local ownership program. That includes a seven-year unlimited/kilometre vehicle warranty, eight years on the high-voltage battery, Assured Price Servicing where the price per service listed on the website remains fixed for a full calendar year, but is subject to change yearly and up to seven years roadside assistance when serviced through the dealer network.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Geely has also expanded its dealer footprint to 46 locations nationwide, including new sites in Tweed Heads NSW, Darwin NT and soon in Ringwood VIC.
Launch offer
To kick off the launch, on orders placed before 30 November, Geely is offering:
- 3.88% finance OR three years/45,000km of free servicing
- A Mode 2 home charging cable
- Complimentary premium paint
“Building on the momentum of the Geely EX5, and now with the Starray EM-i, Geely continues to push forward into the next phase of our expansion strategy,” added Mr Li. “We look forward to seeing the Starray EM-i being driven and loved by new owners in the coming weeks, months, and years.”
The 2025 Geely Starray EM-i is available to order now, with deliveries beginning in October. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for our exclusive launch drive of the Geely Starray EM-i, coming soon.
2025 Geely Starray EM-i standard features
Complete (RRP $37,490)
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights, Taillights And daytime running lights
- 15.4-inch touchscreen
- 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 front seats
Inspire (RRP $39,990)
As included with the Complete, plus:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- 13.4-inch head-up display
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 16-Speaker Flyme audio
- Power tailgate
- Front parking sensors
- 256 colour ambient lighting
- Front seat ventilation
- Driver’s seat memory
Standard Safety Features
The Starray EM-i safety highlights include:
- Seven airbags
- Adaptive cruise control with intelligent cruise assist
- AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with auto braking
- Lane-keeping assist and emergency lane-keeping
- Driver fatigue monitoring
The brand expects a 5-star ANCAP safety rating when the Starray EM-i is crash tested.
Colour and trim options
Standard colour (no extra cost):
- Alpine White
Premium colours (RRP $600):
- Polar Black
- Cloudveil Silver
- Volcanic Grey
- Glacier Blue
- Jungle Green
Interior trims:
- Ebony Black (Complete & Inspire)
- Ivory White (Inspire only)
Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for our first drive review of the Geely Starray, coming soon.
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