Another Chinese plug-in hybrid SUV zooms into orbit to battle the BYD Sealion 6, Leapmotor C10 REEV and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs

Will the Geely Starship 7 be the brand’s second model for Australia?

It is essentially a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the company’s EX5 EV, which went on sale in Australia at the beginning of this year. The five-seater mid-sized SUV could arrive before the end of 2025, opening up the brand to a much wider audience.

It would directly target the popular BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs, as well as the recently-released Leapmotor C10 REEV (Range-Extender EV), among a swelling number of other electrified medium-sized SUVs.

Prices may start from below $40,000, depending on specification, making China’s latest PHEV SUV a compelling value proposition.

The Starship 7 has yet to be confirmed for Australia, but a Geely Auto Australia spokesperson did reveal that every new model that the company produces is under consideration for this market.

“While we cannot confirm any additions to the Geely Auto Australia range at this time, we are continuously monitoring market trends and consumer behaviours to ensure our product range aligns with the preferences of local customers,” according to a statement issued this week.

So, what is the Starship 7 — or Xingjian 7 as the Geely is known in China — all about?

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A modern and well-proportioned design offering a drag co-efficiency of a reasonable 0.29 Cd, it was co-developed with the EX5, and sits on a modified version of Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) dubbed the Global Energy Architecture (GEA), which also takes in internal combustion engine applications.

With a length, width, height and wheelbase measurement of 4740mm, 1905mm, 1685mm and 2755mm respectively, it is also squarely in mid-sized SUV territory.

The Starship 7 is powered by an 82kW/136Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 160kW/262Nm electric motor and integrated starter generator combination that also acts as a single-speed reduction transmission, with drive channelled to the front wheels. Bringing high thermal efficiency benefits, Geely calls this its second-generation Nord Thor 2.0 powertrain, badged EM-i. The 0-100km/h sprint time is 7.5 seconds, on the way to a 180km/h top speed.

For now, the Starship 7 comes with a choice of two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs integrated within the body structure – an 8.05kWh or 19.1kWh unit. The latter, which helps push the Geely’s kerb weight up from 1610kg to 1724kg, would probably be the more likely option for Australia given its promise of 1420km of combined range and 120km of EV-only distance (up from just 55km in the smaller-battery model). These figures, along with an official average of 3.75 litres per 100km, are according to China’s CLTC test procedures. A 36kW on-board charger allows for rapid electricity top-ups.

The Starship 7 also offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) discharge functionality, meaning it can power appliances and even top-up other EVs if required.

Geely said its latest model has undergone exhaustive active and passive safety engineering, leveraging much of the knowhow from its in-house brand, Volvo, and is expecting maximum crash-test results. The advanced driver-assist safety tech includes extensive emergency braking, lane support and adaptive cruise control functionalities.

What’s it like to drive then?

We were given an opportunity to drive the Starship 7 in a large and empty carpark that provided an acceleration strip of road allowing a vehicle to reach about 80km/h, followed by a series of left-right-left-right swerve manoeuvres, and a rocky surface section, before coming to a stop.

In warm, dry weather conditions, it gave us very little insight into the Geely’s dynamics, except that it is very brisk off the mark, corners fairly predictably (but doesn’t seem to like changing directions quickly) and absorbs the provided bumps fairly well. The latter is aided by MacPherson-style struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension system.

The steering is tuned for lightness and ease, this is to the detriment of feedback and feel, with a very remote and detached sense of control.

We understand that Geely has commenced testing broader dynamic tune set-up options for international markets, though whether export versions of the Starship 7 benefit from this is unknown.

What we can tell you is that the PHEV newcomer mirrors its EX5 EV fraternal twin with a spacious interior, a massive central touchscreen offering access to most vehicle controls within the display, high build quality and premium material finishes.

Stay tuned, as we’ll keep you posted as more information about the intriguing Starship 7 comes along.