Geely Auto arrives in the UK – and Rivervale has already met the EX5 up-close

Vehicle Reviews & News

Geely isn’t new to Britain—it already owns Volvo, Polestar and the iconic London black cab maker LEVC—but the all-electric EX5 is the first car to wear the Geely badge on our roads. Marketing Manager Ben Freakley has seen it up close, and his verdict is clear: premium feel, family-sized cabin, smart tech and a price that undercuts BMW, Tesla and Skoda. Dive into our full review and find out when you can secure your personal or business lease with Rivervale.

Posted on 1 Aug 2025 Posted by Ben Freakley

Geely EX5 Lands in the UK: Specs, Price & Rivervale Preview

When Marketing Manager Ben Freakley slipped through the doors of a hush-hush preview event earlier this year, he became one of the first people in Britain to sit inside the pre-production Geely EX5, weeks before the car appeared on the LEVC stand at Company Car in Action in June – months before its public debut, scheduled for October 2025.

Geely: a “new” badge backed by household names

Despite the fresh script on the tailgate, Geely is anything but a start-up. The Zhejiang-based group owns or co-owns:

  • Volvo Cars, Polestar and Lotus – the brands that put it on Europe’s radar when Volvo was purchased from Ford in 2010
  • LEVC, builder of the London black cab, produced in Coventry
  • Smart (50 % stake, with Mercedes-Benz)
  • Farizon, its fast-growing commercial-vehicle arm now preparing the electric Super Van to square up to Maxus and Ford

Add in minority holdings in Mercedes-Benz Group and a sibling roster that includes Zeekr, Lynk & Co and Proton, and it’s clear Geely arrives with serious firepower – plus a UK R&D foothold via Lotus Engineering in Norfolk.

Meet the EX5: the first “pure” Geely in the UK

Key facts (UK-spec prototype)Figure / feature
Battery (usable)60.2 kWh LFP
WLTP range (est.)≈ 267 miles
Motor / drive160 kW (215 bhp), FWD
0-62 mph6.9 s
DC charging30–80 % in ~20 min @ 100 kW
Launch pricing (indic.)c. £35,000

A spacious, family-friendly cabin

  • A flat floor and near-lounge-like rear bench give genuine adult-friendly leg-room – more generous than a Tesla Model Y.
  • Kids will love the hidden drawer under the middle rear seat – ideal for stashing sweets or travel games on a long haul.
  • Up front, the driver faces a 10.2-inch digital cluster and 15.4-inch central touchscreen, with most functions handled through Geely’s Flyme OS. A head-up display and seat massage appear on the top Inspire trim.
  • Materials feel a step above mainstream: padded dash, faux-leather “GeeLuxe” seats and tasteful wood-grain panels, yet the target price sits tens of thousands below premium rivals.

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Engineered for British roads

Before sign-off, Lotus Engineering has been fettling chassis tune and steering feel to match our bumpier B-roads. The result should be a ride-comfort bias (good news for families) without the floatiness some early Chinese EVs displayed.

Where does the EX5 sit in the market?

Think of it as a size-for-size alternative to:

On paper, the Geely matches the segment on range and performance, but undercuts many on price and throws in big-car kit – HUD, V2L, seat massage – that’s costly or absent elsewhere.

Rivervale insider’s first impressions

Ben’s verdict from the secret preview?

“The EX5 feels like it’s been specced by someone who actually does the school run – lots of cubbies, tech the kids will brag about, and a premium vibe without premium-badge anxiety. If Geely can nail the price they hinted at, this could be the sleeper hit of 2025.”

We’ll reserve final judgement until we drive a production UK car later this year – but the early signs are very, very promising.

Stay tuned to the Rivervale blog and socials; as soon as finance rates and delivery slots are confirmed, you’ll read it here first.

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