Geely E5 EM-i vs Volkswagen T-Roc

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Geely E5 EM-i in South Africa

Geely E5 EM-i

Apex Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 679,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 125 Nm
VS
Volkswagen T-Roc in South Africa

Volkswagen T-Roc

2.0 TSI 140kW 4Motion R-Line DSG Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 760,100 ex-showroom
⚡ 140 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Geely E5 EM-i vs Volkswagen T-Roc: the short answer

E5 EM-i and T-Roc are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

E5 EM-i starts ZAR 48,901 cheaper E5 EM-i from ZAR 599,999 · T-Roc from ZAR 648,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification E5 EM-i T-Roc
Maximum Power E5 EM-i73 kW T-Roc140 kW
Maximum Torque E5 EM-i125 Nm T-Roc320 Nm
Engine Size E5 EM-i1499 cc T-Roc2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed T-Roc15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed T-Roc168 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

E5 EM-i

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

T-Roc

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

E5 EM-i

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

T-Roc

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec E5 EM-i T-Roc
Model Introduced Year 2025 2021
Generation Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published Current first-generation T-Roc remains on sale while the second generation is prepared for South Africa
Facelift History No applicable South African facelift history established Volkswagen has confirmed the all-new second-generation T-Roc for the second half of 2026; local derivatives and prices are still pending
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable Volkswagen has confirmed the all-new second-generation T-Roc for the second half of 2026; local derivatives and prices are still pending
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 Current
Production Status active published
Segment Passenger vehicle SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red, Orange
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - 4x4 configuration for the local line-up
Tare Mass Kg - 1400 kg
Spec E5 EM-i T-Roc
Length 4740 mm 4234 mm
Width 1905 mm 1819 mm
Height 1685 mm 1573 mm
Wheelbase 2755 mm 2593 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) Not Officially Disclosed 168 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed -
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 528 l 392 l
Kerb Weight 1770 kg 1400 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Not Officially Disclosed 2020 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed -
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1200 kg
Seating Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 5 seats
Number of Rows Not Officially Disclosed -
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 5.4 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed -

In depth: how these cars differ

This E5 EM-i and T-Roc comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: E5 EM-i 39 vs T-Roc 64.

Efficiency index: E5 EM-i 79 vs T-Roc 61.

Safety-equipment index: E5 EM-i 91 vs T-Roc 99.

Practicality index: E5 EM-i 74 vs T-Roc 58.

Ownership-cover index: E5 EM-i not separately scored vs T-Roc 43.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

E5 EM-i leads by 3 points

E5 EM-i and T-Roc are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 70 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 51% source coverage
70
#1 Evidence leader

E5 EM-i

51% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 39
Performance 39
Efficiency 79
Safety 91
Practicality 74
Leads by 3 points
67
#2

T-Roc

89% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Ownership 43
Performance 64
Efficiency 61
Safety 99
Practicality 58
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance T-Roc +25 Efficiency E5 EM-i +18 Safety T-Roc +8 Practicality E5 EM-i +16

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

E5 EM-i

Performance 39/100
Efficiency 79/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 74/100

T-Roc

Performance 64/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 58/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Geely E5 EM-i leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts vs 67 pts for T-Roc

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, E5 EM-i leads. However, T-Roc may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South African models and comparable body styles.

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E5 EM-i vs T-Roc questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.