► A new electric SUV from Geely
► UK prices start at £31,990
► With Lotus engineering input
Geely is bringing its first own-brand car to Britain, and it’s gunning straight for the family EV mainstream. The all-electric Geely EX5 lands on 24 October 2025 with prices from just £31,990, an eight-year warranty and even a free home charger for early adopters. That’s several thousand less than many rivals and a statement of intent from a brand better known for its work with Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and Smart.
Three trims will be offered in the UK – SE, Pro and Max – all with the same 218hp motor and 60kWh LFP battery pack. Driving range is quoted at 255-267 miles WLTP depending on spec, while rapid charging from 30–to-80% takes around 20 minutes. Every version gets kit lists that would embarrass some premium brands, from heated seats and a 15.4-inch touchscreen on the SE, to massaging seats and a 16-speaker stereo on the £36,990 Max.
Service intervals are set at 24 months or 20,000 miles, which should help keep running costs down. All versions come with a comprehensive six-year warranty plus two additional years of cover. On top of that, buyers get a free Andersen A3 home charger and a developing Octopus Energy tariff partnership, both designed to make living with an EV less of a faff.
To help refine the EX5 to UK tastes, Geely is drawing on the know-how of Lotus Engineering (below), in a move that is both logical and surreal at the same time. ‘Lotus Engineering has a formidable track record along with some of the best R&D resources, so we’re delighted to be working closely with them,’ said Mike Yang, general manager at Geely Auto UK.
With that in mind, Lotus engineers have been working on chassis and dynamics development along with thorough testing on road, track and a multi-post rig.
The independent evaluation gives Geely a strong foundation for any future tuning tailored to European roads and customer driving styles. What Lotus thought of the EX5, and the extent of its input, remains under wraps, but Geely hopes the partnership will make the EX5 feel far less like a left-field import.
The styling is inoffensive and well balanced, with more than a hint of Ford Kuga in the profile. It’s not a car that’ll turn heads, but that may suit buyers looking for something smart and discreet rather than shouty and futuristic. Inside, the 15.4-inch touchscreen dominates a cleanly executed cabin, backed up by digital dials and plenty of kit even on the entry SE model.
On paper, the EX5 is gunning for a broad range of rivals. Think Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV3 and BMW iX1, all of which start at higher prices and don’t always include the same level of equipment. The warranty and standard charger offer are designed to give Geely an edge, while the input from Lotus will be used to talk up its driving credentials.
It means Geely’s first UK car enters a crowded but fast-growing sector with a pricing strategy that makes it look disruptive. The real test will be how it feels on British roads, and whether buyers are ready to take a punt on a badge that’s new to them but backed by one of the biggest names in global carmaking.
The Geely EX5 looks like a calculated first step into the UK: sensible styling, a generous spec sheet, a proper warranty and a price that undercuts the obvious players. The Lotus connection gives it some credibility, but until we drive it we won’t know if the dynamics live up to the promise. If Geely can deliver on the road as well as on the spreadsheet, the EX5 could be the start of something very interesting.
Keith is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and enjoys buying and selling cars and reading and writing about them.
By Keith Adams
Devout classic Citroen enthusiast, walking car encyclopedia, and long-time contributor to CAR
