After many teasers from stockyard to technology, Geely finally launched their first real hybrid in the Philippines. Yup, coding exempt and all that. The Geely EX-5 EM-i arrives in two variants and comes with the brand’s first plug-in hybrid system in the country. It will start at PHP 1,288,000 for the Pro and PHP 1,468,000 for the Max trim.
Geely has reversed the formula for the EX5. While others started as ICE cars first and was electrified later, the EX5 was an EV first before having a combustion engine. This is thanks to the brand’s Global Intelligent Electric Architecture that can accommodate all electrified powertrain systems and is versatile towards vehicle forms like SUVs, MPVs, and more.
The core of this new system is their 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine that is said to have 46.5% thermal efficiency. Alone, it puts out 98 horsepower and 125 Nm of torque, while the electric motor supplements that with its own 215 horses and 262 Nm of pull. Sending power to the front wheels is an Electric Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (E-DHT) that is 13.5% lighter than transmission of previous generation cars.
The battery pack is also generous at 18.4 kWh. It can accommodate up to 30W of fast charging that can ramp up 30% – 80% in 20 minutes. Standard charging is at 6.6 kW and can be full in 3 hours if from 25% to 100%.
Together, these two systems result in a pure electric range of 83 km (WLTP), while combined range is at 943 km. As for fuel efficiency, their internal testing yielded 4.3L/100km but in December 2025 it achieved a world record. It was hailed as the most fuel efficient plug-in hybrid SUV by Guinness World Record with a 3.83L/100km (26.11 km/l) reading as it tackled the Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive.
For size, the EX5 EM-i measures 4,740mm long, 1,905mm wide, and 1,685mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,755mm and up to 172mm of ground clearance. That makes the EX5 EM-i slightly shorter than its rivals like the BYD Sealion 6 but it is wider and taller. The cargo area is also spacious at 528L with the rear seats up, which extends to 2,065L with it folded.
As for the rest of the car, if it’s your first time seeing the EX5 EM-i, it can pass off as an EV with its looks. However, it has styling cues that makes it different from its EV brother. There’s a lightbar that connects the 2 DRL assemblies, as well as forward pointing contours on the sides of the front bumper. The wheels are also different with its more conventional design sized at 18-inches for the Pro with GITI tires while the Max has 19-inches wrapped in Goodyear rubber. Another distinction is at the rear which has no body color on the rear bumper faux diffuser.
Their amenities are mostly the same across the 2 trims. They get the usual bits like Automatic LED headlights, LED Taillights, and Power Adjustable Mirrors. What’s different is the Max model has additional Panoramic Sunroof, Powered Tailgate, and Power Folding Mirrors.
Geely retained the steering wheel and floating touchscreen design from the EV version, while revising the dashboard and center console. The Pro is available with Sapphire Blue interior, while the Max has an additional Amber Brown option. Both trims also receive the same major amenities like the 15.4-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital instrument display, Automatic Aircon, and Rear Air Vents.
Going for the Max trim gets you additional 256-color Ambient Lighting, 6-way Power Adjustable Driver’s Seat, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat, Heads-up Display, 16-speaker FLYME Sound System, and Wireless Charger.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems also made its way even in the base Pro variant. It has Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistant, Collision Mitigation Support Front, and Traffic Sign Identification.
Other bits like Intelligent High Beam Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Door Open Warning, Lane Changing Assistant, and Blind Spot Detection are exclusive to the Max trim.
The new Geely EX5 EM-i will come with a Type-2 portable charger and a 7kW wall-mounted charger. Both are available in Alpine White, Polar Black, Jungle Green, Glacier Blue, Volcanic Grey, and Cloudveil Silver.
