The new Geely E5 is here, offering 800 V voltage, rear-wheel drive, and a range of 635 km.
A few days ago, we shared here some of the updates Geely was preparing for its most popular electric SUV, the E5. Now we have all the details following its official launch in China. The model known in Europe as the Geely E5 has received a much more substantial upgrade than initially apparent.
The new model retains the compact SUV philosophy Geely is using to strengthen its international presence, but it introduces significant changes across almost every aspect. There’s a new electric platform, a much more powerful engine, a next-generation battery, and most importantly, a charging capability that puts the E5 in a completely different class compared to the version we currently know in Europe.
More power, 800 V, and a battery built for ultra-fast charging
On the exterior, the new Geely E5 retains the overall design of the current model, featuring a closed front end and stylized headlights, though it comes with a redesigned front bumper adorned with matte chrome details and a more aggressive lower section. The biggest visual novelty is the LiDAR sensor located on the roof, which supports advanced driving assistance features.
The rear-wheel-drive E5 models are 4.63 meters long, 1.92 meters wide, and 1.67 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.745 meters. They also feature cameras mounted on the side mirrors, tinted rear windows, and conventional door handles, while the tires can be either 18 or 19 inches in size. Another interesting change is the addition of a 160-liter front trunk, which was not available in the previous version.
The interior has also been updated. The dashboard maintains a fairly clean design, featuring a central floating 15.4-inch screen with 2.5K resolution, along with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The three-spoke steering wheel is new, and the gear selector has also changed to a glass-like design.
The available features include a windshield information projection system, 540-degree transparent chassis view, voice control for the four areas of the cabin, 50 W wireless charging, and a front passenger seat with zero-gravity function. The multimedia system is powered by Flyme Auto 2, while the higher-end versions add the G-Pilot H5 driver assistance system and LiDAR.
But the truly significant change is beneath the chassis. All four main versions abandon the 400-volt, front-wheel-drive configuration in favor of an 800-volt, rear-wheel-drive architecture. The rear engine delivers 245 kW, equivalent to around 329 horsepower, representing an increase of 85 kW, or about 114 horsepower, compared to the previous model.
The entry-level version, however, retains the 400-volt architecture, along with a front engine that produces 160 kW and roughly 218 horsepower. In this way, Geely clearly distinguishes this version from the rest of the lineup, which features a much more advanced configuration.
The other major innovation is the battery. The new E5 uses the latest version of the ultra-short Aegis Golden Brick, available in capacities of 60.2, 61.5, and 70 kWh. Depending on the version, the range claimed under China’s CLTC cycle ranges from 530 to 635 kilometers.
As usual, there are differences between the Chinese cycle and WLTP, and in this case, our estimate suggests ranges ranging from 430 kilometers under WLTP for the entry-level version, 450 kilometers for the mid-tier model, up to 520 kilometers for the highest-capacity version.
Fast charging is another major advantage of this new model. The 800-volt versions support a charging power of up to 460 kW and a maximum charge rate of 6C. During the launch, Geely announced that the E5 can go from 10% to 70% charge in just 8 minutes and 25 seconds under optimal conditions, a figure that explains much of the technological advancement over the previous model.
In addition, Geely has integrated its new smart charging technology, which can manage temperature and the charging curve more precisely. That said, as is always the case with such figures, achieving the advertised charging times depends on both the capacity of the charger and the condition of the battery as well as the available infrastructure.
There are also updates in terms of safety. The chassis boasts a torsional stiffness of 36,000 Nm/degree and uses hot-formed steel with a strength of up to 1,500 MPa. The battery features specialized protection, and the car introduces a stability system for handling punctures or tire failures that, according to Geely, can maintain vehicle control at speeds of up to 160 km/h on straight roads and 120 km/h in curves.
For now, we don’t know when or in what configuration this upgrade will arrive for the Geely E5 sold in our market. Geely already sells the E5 in Spain, but it’s likely to arrive early in 2027.
The arrival date and price remain to be determined. If Geely manages to raise the specs of this model beyond those of the current one, it will undoubtedly pose a strong challenge to its main Chinese and European competitors.
The question now is how long it will take for this evolution to reach outside China. Geely has already confirmed an expansion strategy into Europe, with the E5 as one of its key models, including in Spain. Therefore, this new generation could become highly attractive to our market if the brand decides to bring many of its innovations there.