The Geely Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV is now available with a larger battery pack that significantly increases its electric driving range, for a slight price premium.
Available in dealerships from later this month, the updated model year 2027 (MY27) Starray EM-i range continues to open with the Complete, fitted with a carryover 18.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack offering 83km of electric range on the WLTP cycle and 943km of combined range.
Its price remains at $37,490 before on-road costs.
However, the top-spec Inspire swaps this battery for a larger 29.8kWh LFP pack, bumping the SUV’s electric range to 136km – an increase of 53km – and total combined range to 996km.
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The Inspire continues to employ a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but claimed fuel consumption drops from 2.4L/100km to 1.4L/100km on the combined cycle, while the battery can be charged using DC power at up to 60kW – up from 30kW with the base battery.
These improvements have come at a premium, with the Inspire’s price rising by $1500 to $41,490 before on-road costs.
In addition to the larger battery, the Inspire also receives massaging front seats for MY27.
All updated Starray EM-i vehicles also receive trailer stability assist, a 5m-long Mode 2 charging cable, and towing preparation.
The new Extended Range battery first touched down in Australia late last year in a Starray EM-i imported to set a Guinness World Record.
It received the record for the “lowest fuel consumption driving the Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive by a plug-in hybrid powered production SUV”, with a verified fuel consumption figure of 3.83L/100km.
The Starray EM-i is Geely’s local entry into the growing PHEV mid-size SUV segment.
Rivals include the BYD Sealion 5 (from $33,990 before on-roads), Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid (from $39,990 drive-away), and GWM Haval H6 PHEV (from $44,990 drive-away).
In updated Inspire guise, it has a longer electric range figure than any of its rivals bar the GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV, which has a claimed 183km of range, albeit on the NEDC cycle.
With WLTP range figures typically being around 70-80 per cent of NEDC claims, that would put the GWM’s range at around 130-145km – right in the ballpark of the Inspire. However, the GWM is pricier ($52,990 drive-away), though it offers more power and torque.
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