Given the rising fuel prices, electrified vehicles have never been more attractive. Plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs), in particular, are compelling options because they give you the benefits of an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor. If you’re currently in the market looking for a new car, you might want to consider the recently launched Geely EX5 EM-i PHEV.

The EX5 EM-i is a compact crossover measuring 4,740mm by 1,905mm by 1,685mm, with a wheelbase of 2,755mm. It can seat up to five occupants, and it has a trunk capacity of 528L (2,065L with the rear seats folded).

Whereas the EX5 is a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the EX5 EM-i is a hybrid vehicle, which has an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor.

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 98hp and 125Nm, acting as a generator. Propelling the car is a 160kW electric motor that produces up to 262Nm of torque.

The hybrid vehicle has three modes: Pure, Hybrid, and Power. The car can be driven using electrical energy alone. But if the battery charge is low or more power is needed, then the generator can switch on. The EX5 EM-i also has regenerative braking, which charges the battery when the car slows down.

The 18.4kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery has a maximum range of up to 105km on electric power alone. Combine this with the range extender, and the EX5 EM-i can go as far as 1,000km.

With a 6.6kW charging capacity, going from 25% to 100% will take three hours. But with fast charging at 30kW, it will only take 20 minutes to go from 30% to 80%. The EX5 EM-i can also act as a vehicle-to-vehicle (or vehicle-to-load) power supply.

There’s no shortage of tech with the Geely EX5 EM-i. The interface consists of a 15.4-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster on the driver’s side. Meanwhile, the advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and front collision mitigation.

If you want more premium bits with the EX5 EM-i, the Max variant has a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, a heads-up display, more ADAS features, a 360° panoramic camera, and a 16-speaker Flyme Sound audio system with two headrest speakers.

The Geely EX5 EM-i is available at P1,288,000 for the Pro variant, and P1,469,000 for the Max variant, with six colors to choose from:

• Glacier Blue
• Alpine White
• Cloudveil Silver
• Polar Black
• Volcanic Gray
• Jungle Green

When the BYD Sealion 6 was launched in 2024, it proved to be a success with this formula: 1,000km of range, a spacious interior, and loads of tech features. The pricing and the specs of the EX5 EM-i are no coincidence for it aims to compete against this model. Geely Motor Philippines might be late to the party, but as they say, it’s better late than never.

Do you think the Geely EX5 EM-i is a winner?