Geely Geometry C 2023 Review – International

Pricing in the UAE for the 2023 Geometry C starts from the equivalent of $A53,730 for the GS base model, with the fully loaded 70kWh GF flagship retailing from $A61,630.

If those prices carried over to Australia, the compact crossover would be a fighting chance as a smaller, more affordable but well-equipped alternative to the likes of the Tesla Model Y (from $65,400) and Hyundai IONIQ 5 (from $64,500).

It could similarly undercut the stylish Renault Megane E-Tech (from $64,990) and would want to slot in underneath its Geely stablemate, the Volvo EX30 (from $59,990), which is a fraction smaller but more powerful.

Even the base-model 2023 Geometry C comes equipped with leather upholstery, climate-control air-conditioning, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, passive entry/start (you just open the door, slot the column shift into ‘D’ and drive away), cruise control, a rear camera, multifunction steering wheel, wireless phone charging, 17-inch alloys, retractable door handles and LED headlights.

Apart from the 70kWh battery (up from 53kWh), the range-topping GF model adds a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch alloys, eight-speaker Bose sound system, head-up display, six-way power-adjustable ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera.

All versions of the 2023 Geometry C get a decent array of safety kit, including dual front airbags, electronic parking brake with auto hold, ABS, electronic stability control, brake assist, hill descent control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, plus rear parking sensors and reversing camera.

The flagship model ups the ante considerably, adding side and curtain airbags, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, head-up display, intelligent high beam control, lane keeping assist/lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic jam assistant, rear collision warning and lane change assistance.

The 2023 Geometry C is underpinned by Geely’s GE2.0 platform for electric vehicles – not the modular SEA platform underpinning the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X, among other EVs in the group – and it’s efficiently packaged, with decent cabin space and boot capacity within the car’s compact dimensions.

The Geometry C measures 4432mm long, 1833mm wide, 1560mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2700mm. Geely quotes a kerb weight of 1665kg for the range-topping Geometry C GF, which isn’t excessively lardy for a battery-electric vehicle.

The 2023 Geometry C is propelled by a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor developed by Nidec, and it’s good for 150kW and 310Nm.

Charge for the e-motor is provided by a CATL-sourced lithium-ion battery pack with an energy density of 160.28Wh/kg or 183.23Wh/kg in the flagship.

Geely says the Geometry C uses an SEM (Smart Energy Management) system that features ITCS3.0 intelligent battery temperature control, enabling the vehicle to offer a longer range.

Although the electric powertrain’s raw outputs aren’t earth-shattering, the Geometry C shows a surprising turn of speed, especially if you slot it into Sport mode. More on this later.

According to Geely, the 2023 Geometry C can travel up to 350km (WLTP) before the 53kWh lithium-ion battery pack in the base model is fully depleted, while the 70kWh model pushes the range out to a claimed 480km (WLTP).

We tested the latter version, covering 200km and in the process draining less than half the battery.

It’s also worth pointing out we kept it in Sport mode (there’s also more miserly Eco and Eco+ modes) for most of the test period.

To my eye, the 2023 Geometry C looks a bit awkward as its proportions don’t gel particularly well.

Be that as it may, the driving and riding experience is far better than expected; the Geely shows a level of refinement and composure that could easily prompt the vehicle’s occupants to feel as though they’re ensconced within a German offering.

There’s genuine ease of operation as the passive entry and start means you just open the door, plonk down on the seat and slot the Mercedes-style column shifter into ‘D’ or ‘R’ (as required), and you’re off.

It doesn’t take too many kilometres to glean that the Geometry C has a real sense of structural integrity about it.

Road surface imperfections are comfortably dealt with, and very little ambient noise permeates into the cabin. There’s only the slightest trace of wind noise at highway speeds.

More impressive still is how crisp the car is in all its responses. The steering has a nice weighting and accuracy to it, while the brake and throttle pedals are also well modulated.

However, one aspect we really didn’t like was the lane assist feature, which is overaggressive to the point of being unnerving. My immediate response was to deactivate it, as the system reacts so violently (unnecessarily at times) that it’s far more hindrance than help.

Although not pitched as a sporty offering, the Geometry C isn’t averse to being hustled, and the fact it weighs under 1.7 tonnes (decently sprightly for an EV with a claimed 480km range) means there isn’t an excess of inertia for the chassis to overcome.

The range-topper rides on 18-inch rims shod with 225/45 R18 rubber, which serves up more than adequate cornering grip for a vehicle in this segment.

As touched on earlier, the 150kW/310Nm electric powertrain punches above its weight, so the Geometry C prompts an involuntary grin the first time I flatten the throttle. Geely quotes a sub-7.0sec 0-100km/h split, and it certainly feels every bit that quick.

All in all, it’s a classic example of the packaging belying the contents, as the Geometry C’s frumpy bodywork conceals a very lively and cohesive driver’s car.

There’s a quality feel to the cabin of the 2023 Geely Geometry C, with soft-touch materials used more or less throughout the interior.

Faux aluminium highlights and gloss black trim on the centre console contrast nicely with the two-tone black and cream (in the case of our test car) upholstery.

The quilted leather seats look good and are comfortable. Six-way power adjustment ensures you can conjure up an agreeable driving position.

There are sufficient cubby holes and compartments to stash your keys, loose change and odds and ends, so a tick there too.

Nestled behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel is seemingly the world’s smallest instrument panel, but it presents all the key info – speed, battery charge level, remaining range and drive mode (Sport, Eco or Eco+).

The high-resolution infotainment system is generally straightforward to use, but it’s a tad annoying to have to scroll through a couple of screens just to change the fan or air-con temperature settings.

A wireless phone charging pad and USB port are handy features, although the Geely misses out on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in the UAE market at least.

There’s enough room in the rear seats for a couple of adults, while boot capacity of 417 litres is adequate without being exemplary.

Chinese brands are making significant inroads in Australia and new-generation EVs are attracting loads of interest, particularly those from BYD and MG – the latter taking out carsales’ 2023 Car of the Year with the MG4.

They’re laying some useful tracks down for Geely to follow, and let’s hope it does, because the Geometry C is more proof that the car-making giant is capable of engineering and building capable and desirable vehicles.

The Geometry C goes, stops and steers with an impressive level of precision and finesse, and its interior packaging is also up to the mark.

It could do with more visual pizzazz, as other Chinese car-makers such as Zeekr, HiPhi and Jetour have been killing it on the styling front with their latest models.

But Geometry is still shaping up as a brand with plenty of potential.

2023 Geely Geometry C at a glance:
Price: From $55,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: To be confirmed
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 150kW/310Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 53kWh lithium-ion – GS; 70.5kWh – GF
Energy consumption: Not provided
Range: 350km – GS; 480km – GF (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested