Chinese carmaker Geely has confirmed an all-wheel-drive version of its popular Starray EM-i is coming to challenge the BYD Sealion 6, Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4 PHEVs.
Details remain few and far between for the Starray EM-i’s new AWD powertrain but Andrew Tuitahi Director of Product Planning and Marketing confirmed it is on the way.
Geely Starray EM-i Inspire
“I don’t think it’s breaking too much news [to say] all-wheel-drive Starray [EM-i] is on the horizon, it will be here very soon,” Tuitahi told Chasing Cars.
An all-wheel-drive Starray EM-i would address one of the key criticisms of the medium SUV, which is its tendency to spin the front wheels under acceleration – something we experienced repeatedly living with the EM-i in our long-term test.
Tuitahi admitted that a version with some more power and grip “would make sense” and that an AWD version “sounds good”.
It will almost certainly get a power and torque boost, likely using a second electric motor on the rear axle. The Starray EM-i currently outputs 160kW and 252Nm from its electric motor; we think 220kW and 400Nm and 120km of range WLTP would be reasonable outcomes.
Range-wise, we’d expect an AWD Starray EM-i to carry over the ER’s 29.8kWh battery, which makes for 136km WLTP in the front-drive Inspire. Our guess is a price tag starting around $50,000.
Whether the 73kW/125Nm 1.5L petrol engine that runs mostly as a generator will be adequate is not yet clear as Geely does not currently offer an AWD plug-in hybrid in English-speaking markets.
Geely Starray EM-i
For comparison, the BYD Sealion 6 Premium Extended develops 253kW from its AWD PHEV for a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.5 seconds and 128km ADR EV range. It’s priced at $52,990 before on-road costs.
Geely did not make clear whether an AWD Starray EM-i would replace the top-spec Inspire, as the Extended Range booted the Standard Range, or if it would be complementary.
Geely Starray EM-i
Our guess is that it will be an added range-topper in time as the core Starray EM-i is performing well in Australia, outselling BYD’s Sealion 5 and 6 plug-in hybrids combined in the month of July, with 1177 deliveries and 4.7 percent medium SUV market share.
“I think the added pure EV range, and being one of the best in the market in the space as well, brings in more people who are still a bit unsure about BEV and gives you a more authentic EV experience,” said product manager Ashur Varde.
Geely Starray EM-i 2026 pricing in Australia
Prices listed are before on-road costs
- Complete: $37,490
- Inspire ER: $41,490
