The Geely Starray EM-i could become the cheapest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in Australia when it launches locally between September and December 2025, set to duke it out with the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid for the most affordable PHEV title.
Similar in size to the Geely EX5 battery electric (BEV) midsize SUV it will share showroom space with as the brand’s second product to launch in Australia, the Starray EM-i will compete directly with the BYD Sealion 6, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS Super Hybrid when it is released in Australia.
Starray set to battle Chery Tiggo 7 for cheapest PHEV title
But the Starray is sensationally set to cost thousands less than its Chinese hybrid SUV compatriots. Speaking with Chasing Cars earlier this month alongside a pre-production, right-hand-drive Starray, a Geely Australia product spokesperson hinted at an affordable entry price.
“I am dying to tell you [the price],” a Geely Australia product spokesperson told Chasing Cars. “We had audible gasps when EX5 pricing was announced, and I am aiming to have audible gasps when we announce [Starray] pricing.”
Given the entry variant of the two-strong EX5 range starts at $40,990 plus on-road costs — and that the Starray PHEV is cheaper to build than the EX5 – expect to see the hybrid kick off in the high $30,000 range.
The Starray PHEV’s combination of a petrol engine, electric motor and battery will see it offer Australian buyers 83 kilometres of fully electric range and combined range (using the battery and 51-litre fuel tank) of 943km WLTP, with fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km on a ‘dead’ hybrid battery.
That will make the Starray competitive with its key rivals, including the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid (74km EV range, from $39,990 driveaway), the Jaecoo J7 (90km EV range, from $47,990 driveaway), and the best-selling BYD Sealion 6 (circa-75km EV range, from $45,500 driveaway).
“We will make it a similar walk-up to the EX5 — for the customer’s sake, it will be a simple offer where you are not overwhelmed with choice,” the Geely Australia spokesperson told Chasing Cars.
Geely EM-i-S plug-in hybrid powertrain explained
Two variants of Starray have been confirmed for Australia (likely to be called the Complete and the Inspire, as per the EX5) with basic specifications already locked in for the pair.
Both trim grades share the same powertrain, which is based around a 160kW/262Nm P3 electric motor driving the front wheels through an ’11-in-1’ Direct Hybrid Transmission that incorporates the P3 motor, a separate P1 starter-generator motor, and various control units.
Under the bonnet sits a 73kW/125Nm non-turbo petrol four-cylinder engine, which can run at a fixed RPM to act as a generator for the 18.4kWh (circa-17kWh usable) LFP ‘Aegis Short Blade’ battery that can also be charged at 30kW DC speeds or up to 6.6kW AC.
This powertrain is known within Geely Automotive Holdings (GAH) as EM-i-S. This is currently the entry-level PHEV system of GAH, with at least five PHEV tiers sitting above EM-i-S in the Geely universe, capped by the ultra-advanced EM-P/Freevoy combination in the Zeekr 9X.
A key shortcoming of the EM-i-S system used in the Starray is that it does not support the fitment of rear motors, meaning that the Starray EM-i is limited to front-wheel drive — unlike the AWD Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
“We think FWD meets customer needs — [the Starray] is for daily commutes and for road trips at the weekend. It is fit for purpose,” the spokesperson told Chasing Cars.
The Starray’s 4740mm length is 125mm longer than the EX5; size-wise, the Geely PHEV slots neatly between the Outlander and Sealion 6. The Starray measures 1905mm wide and 1685mm high with weight expected to land around 1830kg.
Sitting atop Geely’s GEA modular skateboard platform (supporting both electric and hybrid propulsion), the Starray shares many basic hard points with the EX5. GEA was developed between CEVT in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Geely’s Hangzhou Bay, China development facility.
Standard features for Australia revealed
Geely Australia has revealed some specifications for the Starray EM-i, with the entry-level trim grade including as standard:
- Automatic LED headlights
- Roof rails
- Rear privacy glass
- Keyless entry and start
- 15.4-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- Connected car features (Geely App, over the air updates)
- Apple CarPlay from launch
- Android Auto via over-the-air update in Q1 2026
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Rear air vents
- 3.3kW bi-directional vehicle-to-load functionality
The range-topping grade of Starray in Australia will add the following features:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear tyres
- Panoramic opening glass sunroof with sunshade
- Power tailgate
- 16-speaker Flyme premium stereo
- Heated and cooled front seats (with memory for the driver)
- Interior ambient lighting
- Wireless device charger
- Heads-up display
With the grade walk-up said to mirror the EX5 range structure, expect around the Starray range-topper to attract a 10 percent premium over the base grade.
