Suv Plug-In Hybrid Automatic FWD

Geely E5 EM-i

Price in South Africa, real specs & fuel economy — 2026

Model year 2026 Generation Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published Body style SUV
The E5 EM-i combines an 18.4 kWh plug-in battery, efficient petrol engine and family-sized cabin in Aspire and equipment-rich Apex forms.
ZAR 679,999
On-road in
ZAR 699,158
Ex-showroom ZAR 679,999
Finance estimate from ZAR 10,556/month Based on Aspire Ex-showroom basis · approx. 20% deposit · 11.5% p.a. · 60 months · no balloon
Engine:1499cc (1.5L) Torque:125Nm (92 lb-ft) Power:73kW (98 bhp) Electric Range:105km Battery:18.4kWh Boot528L (18.6 cu ft)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined To be announced
City To be announced
Highway To be announced

On-road pricing varies by dealer. Fuel figures are manufacturer claims or source-backed estimates where a separate city/highway cycle is not published; your real numbers depend on traffic, terrain and driving style.

Model Range PDF
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Estimate monthly vehicle finance for the Geely E5 EM-i in South Africa. The default illustration uses the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest over 60 months and no balloon payment.

Estimated monthly instalment
ZAR 10,556
Total Interest
ZAR 153,387
Total Payable
ZAR 633,387
Principal Interest

* Illustrative estimate based on the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest, 60 months and no balloon payment, using the Aspire. Excludes initiation fees, monthly service fees, credit-life insurance and vehicle insurance. Your lender quotation may differ.

Source-backed vehicle data • Verified by the Hagalu team

Geely E5 EM-i

The E5 EM-i combines an 18.4 kWh plug-in battery, efficient petrol engine and family-sized cabin in Aspire and equipment-rich Apex forms.

The Geely E5 EM-i is the plug-in-hybrid counterpart to the E5 Electric, but it is not merely the same vehicle with a petrol engine inserted. The South African model is longer and slightly taller, measuring 4,740 mm by 1,905 mm by 1,685 mm on a 2,755 mm wheelbase, and Geely quotes 528 litres of luggage capacity. Its purpose is to provide electric-like response for everyday driving while retaining petrol-supported distance for routes where charging is sparse. The EM-i system combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with an integrated electric drive. Geely’s South African launch material lists 73 kW and 125 Nm for the engine, 160 kW and 262 Nm for the electric drive unit, and an 18.4 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate propulsion battery. Drive goes to the front wheels through Geely’s integrated EM-i hybrid/electric drive system; the exact conventional gearbox classification and gear count are not stated in the verified South African material. Pure, Hybrid and Power modes allow the system to prioritise electric operation, balanced energy use or stronger combined response. AC charging at 6.6 kW and DC charging at 30 kW are officially cited, with a 20-minute 30-to-80-percent DC session. Vehicle-to-load output of up to 6 kW adds practical value at campsites or during a limited household outage when used within the manufacturer’s instructions. Both local grades pair the 18.4 kWh battery with a claimed 105 km of electric-only WLTP driving. Their derivative cards separately quote 943 km of combined petrol-and-electric range. Aspire is listed at 8.0 seconds to 100 km/h and Apex at 8.1 seconds. The two measurements answer different questions: 105 km is the claimed electric-only WLTP figure, while 943 km combines the battery and petrol system and is not guaranteed between stops. Similarly, a plug-in hybrid’s headline weighted consumption can be misleading if charging habits are omitted. The E5 EM-i rewards regular charging. Driven for weeks without plugging in, it carries battery hardware without extracting the main benefit. Aspire starts with 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, rear parking radars and a reversing camera. Its cabin combines a 15.4-inch HD Flyme display, wireless Apple CarPlay, six speakers and automatic climate control; the current derivative card also lists AEB, adaptive and intelligent cruise, front collision mitigation, traffic-sign information and lane support. Apex moves to 19-inch wheels and adds the 360-degree panoramic view with transparent-chassis display, a head-up display, 16-speaker Flyme premium audio, intelligent high-beam control, a powered panoramic roof and power sunshade. Across both grades, tyre-pressure monitoring and ISOFIX sit alongside multi-collision braking and hill controls. ABS, braking assistance and force distribution support front, side and curtain airbags. Geely lists six exterior finishes for the E5 EM-i—Snowy White, Frost Grey, Jade Green, Basil Green, Mica Blue and Obsidian Black. Exact grade-by-grade colour availability and interior trim colours are not stated in the verified contract. The EM-i package gives the vehicle six years or 150,000 km of warranty cover and the battery eight years or 200,000 km. The verified ownership package includes a six-year or 90,000 km service plan and roadside assistance for five years without a distance ceiling. The result is a family PHEV with a strong equipment story, but its economic case depends on disciplined charging and honest separation of electric, charge-depleted and combined-range data.

Geely E5 EM-i — Quick Facts

Geely E5 EM-i Specifications

Length
4740 mm
Width
1905 mm
Height
1685 mm
Wheelbase
2755 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
528 l
Kerb Weight
1770 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows
Not Officially Disclosed
Doors
Not Officially Disclosed
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Driving fit

Where the Geely E5 EM-i Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

The E5 EM-i suits a family wanting mostly electric-feeling daily travel without relying entirely on public charging for long South African routes. It is strongest for homeowners who will plug in regularly, value a large cabin and need occasional petrol-backed range beyond reliable charging corridors.

City
Regular urban charging is where the EM-i concept earns its complexity. Short school, office and shopping journeys can lean heavily on the battery, while quiet electric response makes congestion calmer. Aspire’s reversing camera, rear parking radars and current listed assistance package already cover demanding parking and traffic situations. Apex adds convenience rather than changing the core powertrain. Owners should set a charging routine instead of waiting for the battery to empty, because repeated petrol-only use defeats the plug-in system’s purpose.
Highway
For long-distance South African travel, the petrol engine removes the hard dependency on a working charger at every stop. The official 943 km figure is a combined petrol-and-electric range, not a promise for every route; speed, elevation, load, weather and starting charge matter. Hybrid mode is the sensible default for preserving energy across a journey, while Power mode is intended for stronger response. Adaptive assistance is listed on both grades, giving Aspire an unusually complete touring specification before the Apex comfort additions.
Off-Road
The EM-i’s SUV body and hill-control systems are useful on steep paved approaches and maintained gravel, but this front-driven family vehicle is not a low-range off-roader. The high-voltage battery sits beneath the cabin and should not be exposed to rocks, deep water or severe ruts. Aspire’s 18-inch wheels may offer a more forgiving road setup than Apex’s 19-inch package. Remote travel should be planned around tyre support, petrol availability and the lack of verified rugged recovery hardware.

Geely E5 EM-i — Should You Buy It?

A thoughtfully equipped family PHEV that delivers its best value only when the owner plugs it in consistently.

The E5 EM-i avoids the common trap of making the entry grade feel incomplete: Aspire already includes strong infotainment, cameras and active assistance. Apex is a comfort-and-ambience upgrade, not a necessary mechanical one. The shared battery, hybrid hardware and combined-range claim make the comparison straightforward. Buyers must still interrogate the data correctly. The 943 km number combines energy sources, and weighted consumption is not the same as charge-depleted fuel use. With home charging and a mixed urban/intercity routine, the EM-i offers flexibility that a pure EV cannot always match; without charging, its rationale weakens sharply.

What's Good
  • ✓Useful 528-litre luggage compartment
  • ✓Aspire already carries a broad ADAS package
  • ✓AC and DC charging support
  • ✓Up to 6 kW vehicle-to-load capability
  • ✓Long vehicle and propulsion-battery warranties
  • ✓Petrol backup reduces public-charger dependence
Watch Out For
  • ✕Best efficiency depends on frequent external charging
  • ✕943 km is combined range, not electric-only range
  • ✕Charge-depleted consumption still needs clear buyer comparison
  • ✕Front-drive platform is not intended for serious off-road use
  • ✕Apex’s larger wheels may increase tyre cost

Geely E5 EM-i FAQs

Current recommended retail prices for the Geely E5 EM-i run from R599,999 to R679,999, depending on the derivative. Compare the exact trim before calculating finance because options, insurance and dealer charges can change the final monthly cost.

The current South African range comprises Aspire, Apex. Prices and equipment are shown by derivative so buyers can compare the actual local range rather than specifications from another market.

The listed engine capacity for the Geely E5 EM-i is 1499 cc, with output shown as 73 kW (98 bhp). Where a model has more than one derivative, compare the specific variant because fuel type, gearbox and drivetrain can change the way it drives.

The E5 EM-i suits a family wanting mostly electric-feeling daily travel without relying entirely on public charging for long South African routes. It is strongest for homeowners who will plug in regularly, value a large cabin and need occasional petrol-backed range beyond reliable charging corridors.

Regular urban charging is where the EM-i concept earns its complexity. Short school, office and shopping journeys can lean heavily on the battery, while quiet electric response makes congestion calmer. Aspire’s reversing camera, rear parking radars and current listed assistance package already cover demanding parking and traffic situations. Apex adds convenience rather than changing the core powertrain. Owners should set a charging routine instead of waiting for the battery to empty, because repeated petrol-only use defeats the plug-in system’s purpose.

For long-distance South African travel, the petrol engine removes the hard dependency on a working charger at every stop. The official 943 km figure is a combined petrol-and-electric range, not a promise for every route; speed, elevation, load, weather and starting charge matter. Hybrid mode is the sensible default for preserving energy across a journey, while Power mode is intended for stronger response. Adaptive assistance is listed on both grades, giving Aspire an unusually complete touring specification before the Apex comfort additions.

Buyers researching the Geely E5 EM-i often compare it with rivals such as Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV , Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max , GWM H6 , Mazda CX-5 , Jetour T2 . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

Compare Geely E5 EM-i with Similar Suvs

Tap any card to see a full head-to-head — specs, scores and a clear verdict on which one's worth your money.

Geely E5 EM-i
VS
Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV
E5 EM-i vs Tiggo 7 PHEV
plug-in hybrid SUV 2 Variants
Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV from ZAR 599,900
See full specs & who wins →
Geely E5 EM-i
VS
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max
E5 EM-i vs Tiggo 8 Pro Max
Petrol SUV 2 Variants
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max from ZAR 609,900
See full specs & who wins →
Geely E5 EM-i
VS
GWM H6
E5 EM-i vs H6
Hybrid SUV 3 Variants
GWM H6 from ZAR 589,900
See full specs & who wins →
Geely E5 EM-i
VS
Mazda CX-5
E5 EM-i vs CX-5
Petrol SUV 3 Variants
Mazda CX-5 from ZAR 570,500
See full specs & who wins →
Geely E5 EM-i
VS
Jetour T2
E5 EM-i vs T2
Petrol SUV 3 Variants
Jetour T2 from ZAR 569,900
See full specs & who wins →

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Before you choose your E5 EM-i

Geely E5 EM-i Aspire vs Apex: Which Should You Buy?Compare the E5 EM-i Aspire and Apex in South Africa: live grade prices, shared PHEV hardware, worthwhile upgrades and the safety checks before ordering.Geely E5 Electric vs E5 EM-i: Two Different ChoicesE5 Electric or E5 EM-i in South Africa? Compare charging routines, electric range, petrol flexibility, boot space and live prices without mixing the models.Does a PHEV Make Sense Without Home Charging?A practical PHEV decision for South Africans without a home charger: workplace access, public charging costs, fuel-only use and when a full hybrid fits better.

Data verified against: Geely Official South Africa Website

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