Geely is launching in the UK under its own name with the Starray EM-i, a medium plug-in hybrid SUV that pairs practical, boxy styling with impressive efficiency figures. Al Suttie puts it to the test for a week.

Geely Starray EM-i Max

List price (BiK): £32,500 (10%)  CO2: 54g/km  Economy: 585mpg/51 miles  Test efficiency: 47.3mpg

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Monday

We’ve heard the Geely name for a long time as an umbrella over the likes of Volvo and Polestar, but this is the first time the company has stepped out of the wings and onto the main stage. The Starray EM-i is the second model from Geely to come to the UK, but it’s the first I’ve got my mitts on, so it will be an informative week of learning about this new model and the firm’s place in the world.

Tuesday

While the Starray’s styling leans towards the generic for this mid-size SUV sector, it does have some presence and the car I have is helped along by optional metallic paint. It’s also more of an SUV in shape that may rivals, with their more sloping tailgates, so you get a large 528-litre boot. You can also raise the boot floor to sit flush with the load sill – handy when hoiking my bike in this morning – and there’s a powered tailgate for this Max trim model.

Wednesday

In common with many of its Chinese counterparts, the Starray EM-i has a cabin that feels well screwed together and more than premium enough given its keen pricing. Heated and ventilated front seats are a treat, but it took me a little while to fathom switching off all the beeps and bongs that plague modern cars. A wee clue – it’s the button on the steering wheel that you need.

Thursday

As a plug-in hybrid, the Starray offers a 51-mile claimed EV range in Max trim. Unable to charge the car during my time so far, it has run on a mix of battery and petrol power and economy hovers in the high 40s. When the petrol engine comes into play, it’s quiet at lower speeds, but ask for help overtaking or on the motorway and the 1.5-litre motor’s rowdiness is disappointing.

Friday

Geely is aiming for a comfort-biased car with the Starray EM-i and it achieves this in the most part with the seats and cabin space, and its equipment list. The suspension is less convincing as it is softly set but misses the control seen in rivals like the Changan Deepal S05 or Ford Explorer. A curious mixture of wallow in corners and thuds over smaller ruts marks the Geely down.

Saturday

A family jaunt into Edinburgh today following a mighty 3-0 win for my son’s football team. The Geely has not trouble accommodating a pair of every-growing teenagers in the back, with another riding shotgun up front. My son is also quick to negotiate the 15.4-inch infotainment screen to access music from Apple CarPlay on his phone, and the teenage vote reckons the stereo is very good.

Sunday

Geely has set out a very different stall with the Starray EM-i to its Volvo and Polestar brands. It’s clearly a more value-focused offering, which will hold considerable appeal to fleet drivers who are less fussed about badge or brand. While the drive is uninspiring, the plug-in hybrid’s economy and the extensive equipment list will more than compensate the Geely’s target audience.