Geely EX5 Inspire 2025 Review

Geely aims to make EV driving affordable. And with a starting price slightly more than $40K before on-road costs (ORCs), it’s hard to argue against the Chinese brand delivering on its promise.

At launch there are two model grades, with the 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire we’re testing being the top-spec variant. It attracts a price tag of $44,990 plus ORCs, while the entry-level Complete is $40,990 plus ORCs. Both variants are front-wheel drive (FWD) and utilise Geely’s ‘Short Blade’ battery.

While Geely’s pricing is impressive, a recent reduction to less than $40K for the BYD Atto 3 will prove a tough test. Then there’s also the 2023 carsales Car of the Year winning MG MG4 to contend with and even the Leapmotor C10.

The EX5 is covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery is protected by an eight-year/unlimited-kilometre plan. Servicing is every 12 months or 20,000km and is capped for the first seven years at an average of $293 per visit (or $2052 in total).

Three, five and seven-year pre-paid plans are also available with the latter costing $1642 in total – a saving of $410. Geely also offers up to seven years of free roadside assistance as well as two years of Connected Car, which includes a 4G connection (with conditions) and allows you to control certain aspects of the car via the Geely app.

Stepping up to the 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire affords 19-inch alloys and a panoramic glass sunroof, but all EX5s gain LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and auto-extending door handles.

Inside it’s fully stacked with kit and is fitted with faux leather throughout. The front seats are electronically operated with heating, ventilation, memory and massaging functionality. A heated steering wheel, 256-colour ambient lighting and single-zone climate control also feature.

Premium metallic paint is a $600 option.

The 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Being awarded this year also means it cleared the latest, more stringent measures. It’s fitted with seven airbags, dual rear ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchorages.

It’s full of active safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, intelligent active cruise control, lane-departure warning with assist, speed-sign recognition, driver fatigue detection, parking sensors and 3D 360-dgree cameras.

However, where the EX5’s safety tech grates is in terms of implementation, as the level of intervention and audible warnings is excessive – despite being improved over the launch vehicles. Most of the systems can be switched off, but the process is required each time you get in.

Just about all the expected tech gadgets feature in the 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire. Well, all but one exception – smartphone mirroring. It’s not likely to be an issue in the future as an over-the-air update is imminent, but our EX5 test car doesn’t come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, wired or otherwise.

That’s a shame because it could be displayed on the large 15.4-inch infotainment screen. Ahead of the driver is a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and the Inspire gains a 13.4-inch HD head-up display.

Elsewhere there are two wireless charge pads, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio and native satnav that includes public charging locations and will even predict your arrival charge level. ‘Natural’ voice recognition can recognise up to 200 commands and there’s also a 1000-watt, 16-speaker Flyme audio system that pumps out impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire uses a front-mounted e-motor that powers the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gear.

The Goodyear tyres are tasked with translating 160kW and 320Nm to ground while only hauling 1765kg – a figure that’s relatively light for an electrified SUV. It results in a rather brisk 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds.

Performance is perky – certainly enough for the traffic-light grand prix, merging onto freeways and completing overtakes on country roads. It’s more about reassuring levels of acceleration than being fast.

Of course, there’s no traditional engine sound. However, the EX5 does emit an ‘interesting’ (some say annoying) jingle at speeds less than 30km/h. You’ll often be mistaken for Mr Whippy.

If you’re after the ultimate kilometre-crushing EV, then the 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire isn’t that.

However, with an official WLTP-rated range of 410km (430km for the Complete), the Geely isn’t hamstrung too much by distance. It uses a 60.22-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack to supply electricity to the e-motor, while the EX5 uses regenerative braking (with four levels of recouperation).

Geely quotes an average energy-consumption of 16.6kWh/100km. However, throughout our testing, the EX5 Inspire returned 16.1kWh/100km. Restoring the LFP battery can be done via a 100kW DC fast charger or 11kW AC connection – although we saw a peak of 119.5kW at a 350kW rapid charger.

Geely quotes a 30 to 80 per cent charge takes just 20 minutes via a DC station, while a 0-100 per cent refill at the full 11kW AC capacity is about seven hours. The EX5 is capable of 3.3kW vehicle to load (V2L) as well as being a power source for another EV with 6kW vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) capability.

It’s a bit of a tale of two stories. However, where the 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire proves itself is in the situation that matters most – the daily commute.

Built on Geely’s GEA Global Intelligent Electric Architecture, the suspension comprises MacPherson struts up front and multi-links at the rear. The ride quality is soft and absorbing at slow speeds, managing to dispatch most lumps, bumps and tramlines.

The steering is light and the turning circle is small, making the Geely a doddle to place and manoeuvre in various situations. Being less than 1.8 tonnes results in the EX5 feeling energetic and positive, meaning you can nip in and out of traffic with ease. Sport mode noticeably perks up throttle response, but Normal or Eco mode does the trick most of the time.

However, despite extensive Aussie tuning Down Under, the EX5 doesn’t shine outside city limits. The soft suspension setup counts against it with body roll and the passive dampers are unable to control rebound (both vertically and laterally) leading to noticeable head toss.

Additionally, while the effortless steering is appreciated for the confines of the CBD, the lack of tactility is noticeable at speed. Sport mode merely adds artificial weight. There’s also significant kickback through the wheel when encountering mid-corner bumps and the front axle can struggle for traction in the wet.

The intelligent cruise control proves a significant bugbear, particularly on country, single-lane roads. Its cuts power with the slightest amount of steering angle. Approaching an insignificant curve on a signposted 100km/h road, the EX5 swiftly reduced the speed to 75km/h when there was no need to do so. If a car was travelling behind, the driver would have been in for a rude shock.

Whereas the exterior is particularly nondescript, the cabin of the 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire is decisively more design driven.

It’s a nice place to be and you can tell overseeing the likes of Volvo, Polestar and Lotus has reaped rewards. This isn’t just premium ‘for a Chinese car’. The EX5 is properly posh – especially for an SUV you can park in your driveway for less than $50K.

Overall fit and finish is solid, there are squishy soft-touch materials and the screens present with clear graphics. The view out is relatively unobstructed, especially looking forward given the low dash, and general noise, vibration and harshness levels are low – albeit with some wind rustle from the exterior mirrors.

Sadly, the passenger’s seat isn’t height adjustable, but it does offer an ottoman-style, lie-flat arrangement that’s perfect for vegging out while charging. The seats are plush and comfortable, while the massaging function is strong with three intensity levels and six modes to choose from.

There are a few niggles, though. The reliance on the infotainment could baulk some buyers as the operating system isn’t immediately intuitive. A few physical controls are present, while the rotator dial is used for volume control, but can also be programmed to work in with manipulating the climate, too.

Elsewhere, the odd-shaped multi-function steering wheel is polarising, and its lack of button designation requires some initial guess work. Plus, keyless lock/unlock is only offered on the driver’s door and the operation/orientation of the power-window buttons are around the wrong way.

Yet, if you’re eyeing the Geely as a family wagon, abundant back-seat space cures most ills. Despite not being one of the bigger medium SUVs (it’s 4615mm long, 1901mm wide and 1670mm tall, with a 2750mm wheelbase), legroom is plentiful. Headroom is also accommodating, too, while there are rear air vents, USB ports and a fold-down centre arm rest.

Getting comfy is aided by reclining rear pews, but they also split fold in a 60/40 fashion to expand the total cargo capacity. Left in place, the 302-litre boot space appears small. However, lift the floor and a cavernous cubby is revealed, a notable addition considering there’s no ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.

Although, it does mean there’s no spare tyre, not even a space-saver wheel.

It’s hard to ignore just how much you’re getting for $45,000 worth of your hard-earned cash with the 2025 Geely EX5 Inspire.

Do you need to spend the extra dosh on the Inspire? If budgets are tight, then no. The Complete will be all the EX5 you’ll ever need. Yet, if you can afford the extra $4K, the top spec does generate a champagne experience on a beer budget.

Yes, there’s room for improvement. However, what you’re getting in terms of features and posh pragmatism can’t be ignored – especially for the price.

2025 Geely EX5 Inspire at a glance:
Price: $44,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Output: 160kW/320Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 60.22kWh lithium-ion (LFP)       
Range: 410km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.6kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2025)

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