2026 Geely EX5 Max Review: Living With My Third Electric Car

This is actually my third EV—and I opted for the standard EX5 Max specification fitted with the 60.2kWh battery. This 5-door automatic SUV is powered by a 160kW (218 bhp) electric motor producing 320 Nm of torque, taking it from 0 to 62 mph in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 109 mph. It sits on 19-inch low-drag alloy wheels, boasts a 461-litre boot (expanding to 1,877 litres with the rear seats folded), and supports up to 120kW DC rapid charging alongside 11kW AC charging.

Why I Chose the Geely EX5

When looking for my third electric car, the Geely EX5 stood out because of its exceptional specification for the price, advanced technology, and a solid 8-year / 125,000-mile warranty. Beyond the value on paper, I was really drawn to its pedigree: the car was styled in Italy, and Lotus engineers were directly involved in tuning the McPherson front and multi-link rear suspension specifically for UK roads.

Real-World Range and Battery Performance

I have owned the EX5 for under a year and have covered between 1,000 and 5,000 miles so far, with my estimated annual mileage sitting between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. While the official combined WLTP figure is up to 255–264 miles on a full charge, in the real world I achieve a very respectable average of 197 miles from an 80% charge.

A huge plus for UK drivers is that the Max trim comes equipped with a heat pump as standard, which noticeably helps preserve efficiency during the colder winter months. Because my mileage is still relatively low, I wouldn’t expect to see any battery degradation at this stage, and it is performing brilliantly. I haven’t had any real mechanical issues with the car, and a routine software update was handled smoothly by my local dealer without any hassle.

Interior Luxury, Technology and Best-Kept Secrets

Even without adding optional extras, the standard EX5 Max cabin feels genuinely luxurious. Some of my favourite features include:

• Climate & Massage Seating: The front seats are heated, cooled, and feature built-in massage functions.

• Immersive Audio: It boasts a phenomenal 16-speaker, 1,000-watt Flyme Sound system that even includes speakers integrated into the headrests.

• Light & Convenience: An opening panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light, while the crisp head-up display (HUD) and electric tailgate make daily driving effortless.

• Seamless Entry & Start: The car automatically unlocks with flush door handles as you approach and locks when you walk away. There isn’t even a start button—you simply get in, select drive, and go.

There are also a couple of brilliant ‘best-kept secrets’ that you only really appreciate once you live with the car. First, the driver’s seat automatically slides into an ‘exit mode’ when you open the door, making getting in and out much easier. Second, if you press the electric tailgate button twice, it gives you a handy 10 to 15-second delay before closing, giving you plenty of time to grab your bags and walk away.

Practicality and Room for Improvement

No car is completely flawless, and most of my minor frustrations revolve around the minimalist cabin layout. Almost every function is controlled via the central touchscreen, leaving very few physical buttons. For instance, there is no physical switch to turn on the headlights, and some sub-menus can be a little tricky to navigate on the move.

Additionally, the front right-side charging port doesn’t lock, and there is no light inside the charging compartment, which can be fiddly when plugging in after dark. Initially, some of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) were overly sensitive, though following the dealer software update, these are now much easier to switch off.

Home Charging and Running Costs

Because of my relatively low annual mileage, I never need to use the public charging network and instead do 100% of my charging at home. My home wallbox has been completely trouble-free. I pair it with the EDF Freephase tariff, which works brilliantly for our household as I can easily shift most of our electricity usage away from the 4 pm to 7 pm peak window.

When it comes to overall finances, my day-to-day running costs are far lower than when I ran my last internal combustion car, a diesel Kia Sportage. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is now the same as what I paid on the Kia. The only slight cost increase has been insurance, though I found great value for money with Aviva Zero, a reputable provider I have happily used in the past.

The Verdict

The Geely EX5 Max delivers a level of cabin luxury, audio quality, and everyday comfort that punches well above its price tag. If I were to trade my keys in tomorrow, it would only be for an absolute ‘dream model’ like a BMW iX3—which sits well outside my budget. For the money, the Geely EX5 is tough to beat.

Review by David Clack