Geely Starray EM-i gains all-wheel drive

Geely has expanded its Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV line-up with a new all-wheel drive flagship that adds an extra rear e-motor, sharper performance and a bigger fuel tank that stretches its claimed touring range beyond 1000km.

Priced at $44,990 plus on-road costs (ORCs) and arriving in showrooms from mid-September, the Starray EM-i Inspire AWD tops a three-variant range. It promises up to 1065km of combined range on the WLTP cycle.

The new plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV is roughly the same size as a Toyota RAV4 and brings AWD traction to the table – and a bigger fuel tank. Where the front-drive Complete and Inspire versions of the Geely SUV make do with a 51-litre tank, the AWD flagship scores a larger 60-litre bladder.

Paired with the PHEV powertrain’s frugality, that lifts the Inspire AWD’s claimed range to 1065km – a handy 69km more than the 996km front-drive Inspire, and enough to match some diesel-powered SUVs in terms of cruising range.

Doing the heavy lifting is a new rear electric motor worth 80kW and 150Nm, which brings combined outputs of 220kW and 412Nm and drops the 0-100km/h sprint to 6.3sec.

It also has a sizable lithium-ion battery and a electric range of 130km, technically making it a ‘super hybrid’.

Geely says the AWD variant stays quiet and EV-like despite the added hardware, while a five-link rear suspension (up from a four-link set-up on front-drive models) is claimed to improve ride, stability and handling. Two new drive modes, Snow and Off-road, round out the go-anywhere pitch.

“The adoption of Geely by the Australian market has encouraged us to broaden our offering,” said Geely Auto Australia Product Marketing & Planning Director and former Hyundai Australia exec Andrew Tuitahi.

“At Geely, we are committed to constantly innovating. The new Starray EM-i Inspire AWD complements our existing Starray EM-i range by providing an option for those seeking enhanced performance and adventurous driving.”

The brand recently confirmed six new models across the next 12 months, spanning a pair of sedans and a clutch of SUVs, headlined by a rugged Galaxy Cruiser plug-in hybrid 4x4 pitched squarely at the Toyota Prado.

Regular readers will have seen that carsales has already sampled several of the brand’s next-generation contenders on home turf and abroad, driving the sub-$30,000 EX2 electric hatch, the frugal Emgrand hybrid sedan and the flagship M9 SUV at Geely’s proving ground in Hangzhou, China.

All three hint at a broader assault that will stretch Geely from city cars to seven-seat family haulers.

For now, the Starray EM-i AWD adds more breadth – and breathing room – to a range that’s already selling strongly. It sold almost 1200 units in July 2026, significantly more than its direct rival the BYD Sealion 6’s 600-odd sales, while comfortably outselling the Nissan X-Trail (757 units) and coming within striking distance of the Mitsubishi Outlander (1282 units).

How much does the 2026 Geely Starray EM-i cost?
Complete – $37,490
Inspire – $41,490
Inspire AWD – $44,990 (new)
*Prices exclude on-road costs

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