Trouble for the new Toyota RAV4 PHEV? Geely Starray EM-i the latest plug-in hybrid medium SUV from China – and it should seriously undercut the mega-popular Toyota

July 16, 2025July 16, 2025 Andrew Chesterton 9103 Views Geely Starray EM-i

The Geely Starray EM-i will arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year, with two trim levels now confirmed for launch which debut the Chinese giant’s Super Hybrid PHEV technology in Australia.

Hot on the heels of the all-electric Geely EX5, the Starray EM-i will be the brand’s second offering in Australia.

And when it arrives, it will join an ever-growing throng of competitors, and not just other plug-in hybrid SUVs – of which the Toyota RAV4 will soon be one – but even other Super Hybrids, too, given it’s a name also used by MG, Chery and Jaecoo.

Both models are tipped to land in the $40k-$50k bracket (for reference, the EX5 launched at a super-sharp $40,990 before on-road costs), but for now we’ve only been given a pre-production peek at the more expensive of the two, which will arrive with 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, and V2L, or vehicle to load.

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Inside, it nabs a 15.4-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (though the latter is set to be delivered via an over-the-air update in early 2026), a 10.2-inch digital dash and a 16-Speaker FLYME stereo.

There are heated, ventilated and powered seats up front, too, as well as rear vents for the climate control.

We don’t know what the entry-level model will deliver, but going off Geely’s form — and that of Chinese manufacturers more broadly — we’d expect it to arrive pretty loaded.

Now, onto the important stuff — what makes the Starray a Super Hybrid. In Geely world, that means it pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 18.4kWh Lithium iron phosphate battery and an electric motor.

The petrol engine alone produces 73kW and 125Nm, while the electric motor tips in another 160kW and 262Nm, provided the battery is charged, of course. The total combined power output is 193kW.

Speaking of which, that Lithium iron phosphate combines with a 51-litre fuel tank to deliver a total WLTP driving range of 943kms, while the Starray will travel a claimed 83kms on electric power alone.

“The Starray EM-i is a worthy follow-up to the Geely EX5, continuing the accessible quality, innovation, and value that customers have come to expect from Geely while opening the gates for more Australians to experience our brand,” says Lei Li, CEO of Geely Auto Australia.

Andrew Chesterton

Andrew began his career as a journalist at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, before he was lured into the fast-paced world of supercars at TopGear Australia. He has also held senior roles at The Daily Mail, which involved spending time at HQ in London, and on the other side of the automotive divide with FCA Australia. As one of Australia's best-read freelance writers, Andrew now contributes to Robb Report, Wish in The Australian, Domain in The Australian Financial Review, CarsGuide, Wheels, The West Australian, GQ, Men's Health and more. His love for writing has carried him around the world and back again, writing for clients in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the USA. He secretly enjoys it so much he’d probably do it for free, but he hopes his editors never find out that bit...