Category Archives: Electric/hybrid

Motoring, SUV, Electric/hybrid

Geely brings its hybrid SUV to the UK

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Geely Starray EM-i MAX

By Bill McCarthy

When is a Volvo not a Volvo? When it’s a Geely, of course. The Geely Holding Group has owned Volvo Cars since 2010, and now it’s bringing its own-brand SUVs to UK shores – the hybrid Starray and the all-electric EX5. (It’s also behind a new range of vans called Farizon, but that’s another story.)

Volvo is the premium sibling; Geely is the more budget-friendly one, but it’s packed with kit. Think Audi and VW, or Lexus and Toyota – different audiences, same family tree. There are three trim levels – Pro, Max, and Ultra – starting at £29,990 and topping out at £34,990. Not cheap, but not outrageous either. It also comes with a full eight-year/125k mile warranty on car and battery.

Impressive efficiency

The Starray follows the EX5, which made its debut late last year. This is the EM-i MAX, Geely’s first full hybrid for the UK – not a plug-in, not a mild hybrid, but a proper series-parallel system. And it delivers economy that genuinely rivals the class leaders.

Classed as a C-segment SUV, it feels bigger – more D-segment – sitting high off the ground with plenty of cabin space and a commanding view for the driver via the multi-positional powered seats. The boot is roomy, too; on one occasion, it doubled up as a removal van. Handy.

Comfortable and refined

The powered seats offer ample adjustment and generous support, making long stints behind the wheel genuinely fatigue-free. The high ride height gives excellent forward visibility, too.

On the move, the cabin remains hushed, with wind and road noise well suppressed – even at motorway speeds. The suspension soaks up potholes and broken tarmac with ease, prioritising comfort over sportiness. Body control is composed through bends, though push hard and there’s noticeable lean. The steering is light around town but responsive on faster roads.

Motorway cruising is where the Starray shines – a hushed cabin and a relaxed powertrain hum. It won’t thrill driving enthusiasts, but it delivers a level of comfort that punches above its £30,000 price point.

Hi-tech heavy – but not always intuitive

The well-appointed cabin’s centrepiece is the 15.4-inch central touchscreen, complete with integrated AI voice assistance – it’s the brains of the operation. That’s joined by a 13.8-inch head-up display and an ear-splitting 1,000W, 16-speaker premium sound system. So far, so impressive.

That said, the multiple digital displays aren’t always the most intuitive to operate. Some functions are tucked away in sub-menus, and the customisable digital dials can feel sluggish to respond. It’s a shame, because the rest of the cabin feels well put together, and driver and passengers enjoy decent head- and legroom.

Great economy

Buyers can choose between two battery sizes: an 18.4kWh unit good for 51 miles of electric driving, or a larger 29.8kWh pack that ups that figure to 84 miles on the WLTP cycle. Official fuel consumption figures are good: the smaller battery returns 117.7mpg equivalent with 54g/km CO₂, while the bigger unit achieves 201.8mpg equivalent and just 32g/km CO₂.

Under the bonnet lurks a 1.5-litre petrol engine working alongside a compact electric motor, delivering 193kW and 262Nm. That’s enough to hit 60mph in 8 seconds – decent enough. However, floor the throttle too enthusiastically from a standing start, and the front wheels will struggle for purchase, with some wheelspin – particularly on greasy or poorly surfaced roads.

Charging is rapid: the smaller pack can go from 30–80% in 20 minutes via a 30kW DC rapid charger, while the bigger battery needs only 16 minutes on a 60kW unit.

Full marks for safety

On the safety front, it’s exceptionally well equipped, with seven airbags, a comprehensive suite of driver assists, and a full five-star Euro NCAP score. Geely’s warranty covers both vehicle and battery for eight years or 125,000 miles – reassuring for family buyers.

Verdict

Geely’s second model offers great efficiency, a spacious and well-equipped cabin, and strong safety credentials at a competitive price. The infotainment could be more intuitive, and the front wheels struggle for grip under hard acceleration, but for family buyers seeking a budget-friendly hybrid that doesn’t feel cheap, this is an attractive alternative. It’s not a Volvo – but then, it isn’t trying to be.

Factfile

Geely Starray EM-i MAX
Price: From £29,990 (Ultra from £34,990)
Mechanical: 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric motor, 193kW and 262Nm, driving front wheels via an automatic transmission
Max Speed: 112 (estimated)
0-60mph: 8.0 seconds
Electric range: Up to 84 miles
Fuel economy: Up to 201.8mpg equivalent
CO₂ emissions: From 32g/km
Warranty: Eight years/125,000 miles (vehicle and battery)

BYD, Electric/hybrid, Motoring, SUV

BYD’s new SUV challenger in the hybrid market

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BYD ATTO 2 Boost

By Bill McCarthy

As more Chinese brands arrive on UK shores, shaking up the old order like punk rock did to music in the 1970s, some are becoming victims of their own success. Newcomers are aping their breakthroughs, and even BYD – one of the first of the new wave – is facing stiff competition, despite only arriving in Britain in 2023.

Earlier this year, BYD launched the upgraded ATTO 3. Now the ATTO 2 ‘super hybrid’ has taken a bow. It comes complete with an upgraded Blade battery and a highly competitive price tag, and of course, the comprehensive six years or 93,750 miles warranty.

Two powertrain options
The ATTO 2 offers two hybrid setups. In Active spec, the Blade Battery capacity is 7.8 kWh, with maximum system power of 166 PS (122 kW). This version delivers a WLTP pure-electric range of 24 miles and a combined range of 577 miles.

The Boost model upgrades to an 18 kWh battery, increasing system power to 212 PS (156 kW) and achieving a WLTP pure-electric range of 55 miles, with a combined range of up to 621 miles.

Charging the 7.8 kWh battery with a standard 7 kW home wallbox takes roughly 75 minutes. In contrast, the larger 18 kWh battery found in Boost models can be fully charged from 15% to 100% in three hours when using a 6.6 kW AC charger.


Design and first impressions
Stylish without being show-stopping, the ATTO 2 is compact yet roomy. It has a striking front end with a revised grille, LED headlights,  and eye-catching alloys. The rear adds a roof spoilerand full-width light bar. 

The latest powertrain all but eliminates range anxiety – a feature explained enthusiastically by UK Country Manager, Bono Ge at the launch. He talked me through the technology in exhaustive detail.
The key takeaway is that the car is powered by an electric motor, which can be plugged in or charged via the petrol engine as the battery depletes. When circumstances demand, both power sources work together to deliver an extra boost.

On the road
Putting the compact SUV through its paces around the Home Counties consisted of a mix of twisting narrow lanes, Cotswold villages and motorway driving. The car proved comfortable, with well-weighted steering and little body roll on sweeping bends.
Getting familiar with the controls was a challenge on a short drive – the now-familiar bings, bongs and warnings were constantly in the background.
It’s an irritant that can be managed, and a new owner could personalise it quickly.

Acceleration is decent, with the Active model achieving 0-62 mph in 9.1 seconds and the Boost cutting that to 7.5 seconds.
However, there was a noticeable lag, waiting for the power to kick in,  when overtaking – I had a near miss on a country lane trying to pass a tractor.. Also, floor the pedal and thee a touch of wheelspin.


Interior and cabin quality
The cabin is spacious and high-quality. The door trims feature a mix of soft-touch materials and harder plastics, while the seats are trimmed, depending on the model, with fabric or faux leather. They are electrically adjustable and comfortable, while head and legroom is good, giving the feel of a bigger vehicle. I’m not that tall, but a six-footer should feel pretty comfortable.

The brains of the vehicle are an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.8-inch touchscreen with AI-powered voice control that manages infotainment, connectivity and a host of menus to personalise the car setup. 
The Boost version driven here adds a panoramic glass roof. Active trim includes LED lights, 16-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors with a camera. Boost adds 17-inch wheels, front sensors, a 360-degree camera, heated electric front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass, a wireless charger and 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load capability – handy for powering kettles or grills.

Practicality and safety
Sitting in the B-segment  for compact SUVs, the boot offers 425 litres, expanding to 1,335 litres with the rear seats folded..
Safety features abound, including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Parking is aided by front and rear sensors, with a 360-degree camera on Boost models. Passive protection includes six airbags, ABS and electronic stability control. ISOFIX and i-Size anchor points are fitted in the rear seats.

Verdict
The ATTO 2 looks good, is competitively priced, spacious, well equipped and offers great practicality. But the hesitant overtaking and overly chatty safety beeps stop it from being genuinely fun to drive – but its not a hot hatch, after all.