The 2026 Geely EX5 is turning heads as one of the most affordable electric SUVs you can buy in Australia right now. If you're weighing up your options for a novated lease, this medium electric SUV deserves a close look.
With the federal government's FBT exemption still in place, the potential tax savings on EVs make going electric even more attractive. But does the Geely EX5 actually stack up in the real world? Let's dig into what makes this Chinese vehicle a genuine contender in the growing medium SUV segment.
Geely EX5 Review
The Geely EX5 sits in that sweet spot between compact city runabouts and larger family hauliers. It's a front-wheel drive electric SUV powered by a single electric motor mounted up front, delivering 160 kW and 320 Nm of torque. That's enough grunt to get you from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 6.9 to 7.4 seconds.
What stands out is how Geely has loaded the EX5 with standard equipment that other brands charge thousands extra for. The Geely EX5 Inspire comes with heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, and interior ambient lighting. The driver's seat includes lumbar adjustment and memory settings, while the front passenger seat gets a power leg-rest and massage function.
Inside, you'll find soft-touch materials across the dashboard and centre console. The infotainment system spans a 15.4-inch screen, there's a 10.2-inch digital cluster behind the steering wheel, and a head-up display projects key information onto the windscreen.
2026 Geely EX5 Pricing
The Geely EX5 comes in four variants before on-road costs:
Complete: $41,990 (68.39 kWh battery pack)
Inspire: $45,990 (68.39 kWh battery pack)
When you add on-road costs in Western Australia (around $4,200 including stamp duty and rego), you're looking at roughly $49,000 drive-away for a fully loaded Inspire. That asking price is significantly lower than a Tesla Model Y or many other cars in this class.
Design and Technology
Step inside the Geely EX5, and the interior design feels more premium than the price tag suggests. The centre console houses wireless charging (though only one pad), plus USB-A and USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. Storage space is decent, with a deep underfloor section in the boot and various cubbies throughout the cabin.
The Inspire adds ventilation to the front seats, which is a blessing during Australian summers. Roof rails come standard on Inspire models, and the 19-inch wheels give it a planted stance without compromising ride comfort too much.
Apple CarPlay has been standard from launch, and Android Auto arrived via an over-the-air update in February 2026. The Inspire gets a 16-speaker audio system that genuinely sounds impressive. The 360-degree camera is also incredibly useful, showing centimetre read-outs when you're nosing into tight parking spots or lining up at chargers.
Safety Equipment
The Geely EX5 earned a five-star ANCAP rating when tested in 2025, with strong scores across the board: 86% for adult occupant protection and 87% for child occupant protection. Safety equipment is generous:
Seven airbags, including a dual-frontal bag
Autonomous emergency braking that detects cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and junctions
Adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality
Lane keep assist with Emergency Lane Keeping intervention
Speed sign recognition and traffic sign recognition
Driver monitoring system
Tyre pressure monitoring
Front parking sensors and rear parking sensors
360-degree camera
Range, Battery, and Charging
The standard 60.22 kWh battery from 2025 delivers a WLTP driving range of 430 km in the Complete and 410 km in the Inspire. The Extended Range models in 2026 bump that to 475 km and 450 km, respectively, thanks to a 68.39 kWh battery pack.
Charging happens at up to 11 kW on AC and 100 kW on DC fast charging. Geely claims 30-80% in around 20 minutes at a fast charger, which aligns well with WA's EV Highway network that rolled out 98 kW DC sites every 200 km from Kununurra to Esperance.
The EX5 comes with a portable Mode 2 charging cable, so you can plug into a regular power point at home. If you're on Synergy's EV Add-On tariff (8.615 cents per kWh off-peak), you can run the EX5 with exceptionally low costs.
On-Road Performance
The front-mounted electric motor delivers smooth, instant torque that makes city driving effortless. You can select from Eco, Comfort, or Sport mode depending on your mood, and there's one pedal driving if you prefer to minimise brake use.
Sport mode sharpens throttle response, though don't expect sports car handling. For everyday driving on sealed roads, the EX5 strikes a good balance between comfort and control. Adaptive cruise control works well in stop-go traffic, and the car unlocks automatically as you approach with the key in your pocket.
Practicality and Comfort
Boot space ranges from 302 litres with the adjustable floor in its highest position to 410 litres when lowered. Drop the rear seats, and you get up to 1,877 litres of cargo room. There's no front storage compartment (frunk), but the deep underfloor section in the boot swallows the charging cables and a tyre repair kit.
The rear seats sit upright at a comfortable angle for adults, and the flat floor means the middle passenger doesn't straddle a transmission tunnel. Headroom is generous front and back, even with the panoramic sunroof fitted to Inspire models. Air vents in the second row help keep rear passengers comfortable.
Front seats are supportive with plenty of adjustment. The driver's door has logical controls, and the centre console provides enough storage for phones, wallets, and water bottles without feeling cluttered.
Running Costs and Warranty
Geely covers the EX5 with a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year battery warranty. That's longer than Tesla's four-year coverage and matches what BYD offers.
Service intervals sit at 12 months or 20,000 km, and Geely offers prepaid service packages for three, five, or seven years. This suits FIFO workers or anyone racking up high annual kilometres across Western Australia or other states.
There's no spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit. If you want peace of mind, you can add roadside assistance through your salary packaging arrangement.
2025/2026 Updates and Over-the-Air Features
Geely has shown it can push meaningful updates wirelessly. The Android Auto addition in February 2026 brought both wired and wireless connectivity, addressing a major gap from launch.
The same update added customisation options for safety alerts, letting drivers create a shortcut to mute the speed limit warnings and lane keep assist beeps each time they start the car. It's a small quality-of-life improvement that shows Geely is listening to feedback.
The Extended Range variants with the larger 68.39 kWh battery were approved for sale in early 2026, giving buyers more options without a huge price jump.
Why the Geely EX5 Makes Sense for Australian Drivers
The Geely EX5 delivers solid value in the medium electric SUV segment. It won't blow you away with performance or cutting-edge tech, but it covers the basics well and includes equipment that costs extra on most rivals.
For families or FIFO workers looking at cars for novated lease, the combination of low purchase price, generous warranty, and FBT exemption makes the numbers work. Real-world range is honest, charging infrastructure is improving across Australia, and the cabin feels more expensive than it is.
Chinese cars have come a long way in recent years, and the EX5 proves that Geely Auto brand understands what Australian buyers want: space, safety equipment, and value for money.
Get Your Geely EX5 Through a Novated Lease With Easi
Ready to see how much you could save on a Geely EX5 through a novated lease? Our experienced team can walk you through how novated leasing works and show you exactly what your repayments would look like.
Use our novated lease savings calculator to get an instant estimate, or simply get a quote from our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Geely owned by BMW?
No. Geely Holding is a Chinese automotive group that owns Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Lotus. BMW has a limited joint venture with Geely focused on MINI EVs, but BMW does not own Geely.
What are the common problems with Geely cars?
Early reviews mention overly sensitive driver-assist alerts and complex infotainment menus. There haven't been widespread mechanical issues reported, and the five-star ANCAP rating plus eight-year battery warranty provides confidence.
Are Geely engines reliable?
The EX5 uses an electric motor, which has far fewer moving parts than a traditional engine. Geely's LFP battery chemistry is known for low degradation, with the company claiming 99% capacity retention after 180,000 km.
