For A0-level electric vehicles, expectations have been low. Consumers seem willing to accept a basic offering as long as the price is affordable. However, the arrival of the Geely Xingyuan may change this. Developed on the GEA electric architecture, it features independent suspension, rear-wheel drive, Flyme smart car system, and spacious interior. It’s hard to believe this car has a pre-sale price under 80,000 yuan (11390$). Because of this, I eagerly anticipated my test drive of the Xingyuan on Pingtan Island, hoping for some surprises.
1-Minute Quick Overview of Geely Xingyuan: 1. The design features simple, attractive lines. It adopts a cute style but remains neutral, appealing to both male and female users. 2. The dimensions are 4135×1805×1570 mm, with a wheelbase of 2650 mm. 3. The interior looks simple yet appealing. The materials and craftsmanship are excellent. It includes a 14.6-inch HD central screen and an 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel. The Flyme Auto system enhances the user experience. 4. The rear legroom is spacious. The rear seatback angle reaches 117°, and the long seat cushion provides a premium seating experience. 5. The storage design is clever, offering 36 storage spaces throughout the vehicle. 6. The powertrain features a rear single motor. The low-power version delivers 58 kW, while the high-power version offers 85 kW. 7. The battery uses CATL cells with a CTP battery pack. The CLTC range is 310 km for the low version and 410 km for the high version. 8. It features front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, a rarity in the A0 segment. 9. The driving experience is impressive. The chassis quality and driving feel show significant advantages over competitors. For detailed static analysis of Geely Xingyuan, readers can explore previous articles on Sina Auto.
Let me share my views on the static design. First, the Geely Xingyuan features many curves. It looks smooth and full. The overall design leans towards a cute style. Generally, this style may lose some male consumers. However, the actual car does not show a clear gender aesthetic distinction. Overall, its appearance is highly acceptable. Plus, the seven different color options help most consumers find their fit.
The overall proportions of the Xingyuan are very harmonious. Its dimensions are 4135×1805×1570mm, with a wheelbase of 2650mm. The length and height closely match those of the BYD Dolphin. However, the increased width creates a fuller visual effect. The slightly raised shoulder line design demands high production standards. Generally, such designs are rare in A0 class cars. The result looks impressive, giving the Xingyuan an upscale appearance.
The car’s interior matches mainstream models in the 150,000 yuan (21350$) range. It excels in design and materials. However, we tested the top model priced at 107,800 yuan (15340$). We can’t yet assess the quality of the lower models.
The car features a 14.6-inch HD central screen. The lower model has a 10.1-inch screen. The key point is that the new car comes with the Flyme Auto system across all models. At this price, it offers the best smart technology available.
The space features clever designs. The glove box uses a drawer-style design and offers a large capacity. The storage compartment under the rear seats adds more space. The rear-wheel drive design provides a spacious front trunk. However, the standout aspect of the Xingyuan lies in the seating comfort.
At this price point, true leather seats are rare. The Star Wish likely uses faux leather. However, the overall seat quality is excellent. The soft, thick padding enhances the comfort.
The rear seatbacks tilt to 117°. The longer cushions enhance the ride experience. The rear space impresses. Even with a driver over 1.8 meters tall, the rear offers ample legroom. If you value space, I recommend experiencing the Star Wish in person. It will surprise you.
The impressive interior space does not sacrifice trunk space. In normal conditions, the Star Wish has a trunk volume of 375L. Folding the seats expands it to 1320L. However, the seatbacks and trunk have a significant height difference. Geely claims it is developing components to create a flat surface when the trunk folds down.
The vehicle uses CATL lithium iron phosphate batteries. It features a CTP battery pack without modules. The CLTC range is 310 km or 410 km. The 310 km version charges from 30% to 80% in about 22 minutes. The 410 km version charges in about 24 minutes. It also supports external discharge up to 3.3 kW, making camping more convenient.
Geely Star Wish uses the Geely 11-in-1 electric drive. It features a rear-mounted single motor. The low-power version has 58 kW. The high-power version has 85 kW. Today, we test drove the high-power version. The official 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 9.8 seconds.
The Geely Xingyuan features a front MacPherson independent suspension. It uses a rear multi-link independent suspension. This setup improves driving comfort significantly. Many competitors use a rear torsion beam suspension. Such comfort is rare in A0 class vehicles.
The main event arrives today! How does the driving experience of the Xingyuan feel? First, let’s talk about acceleration. The 0 to 100 km/h time is under 10 seconds. For an A0-class car designed for city use, this is sufficient. The power response and smoothness at low speeds are excellent. In sport mode, we even feel some push-back under 50 km/h.
The new car has three driving modes. The modes differ mainly in their interaction with the accelerator pedal. The energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels. The low and medium levels provide a very slight drag feel. The high level has a more noticeable drag, but it remains acceptable and comfortable.
The steering has a general directionality. It feels easy to handle. The feedback from the steering wheel is very light and non-adjustable.
The suspension tuning is advanced. It prioritizes comfort. It effectively filters small bumps on the road. When navigating potholes and speed bumps, it maintains resilience without excessive bouncing. Typically, such suspension setups lack support. However, the Xingyuan performs well during high-speed lane changes and cornering. The suspension offers good support and the body responds quickly. Overall, in this class and price range, the Xingyuan’s chassis performance is outstanding.
The brake pedal feels responsive. Drivers quickly adapt to it. The effective travel is linear. The new car features CST comfort braking. This function effectively reduces brake dive. Such features are rare at this price point.
The new car performs well in NVH, especially at low speeds. It effectively suppresses wind and tire noise. However, when speeds exceed 90 km/h, both wind and tire noise become noticeable. For an A0-class vehicle designed for city driving, this is not a major issue. In summary, I have driven many new energy vehicles. Most have noticeable flaws due to cost constraints. However, the dynamic performance of the Geely Xingyuan stands out. It offers excellent driving quality, ample space, and impressive smart features. The Xingyuan indeed shows potential as a new benchmark. Yet, at this price point, cost is the biggest advantage. The new car will officially launch in October. Stay tuned for our follow-up reports on pricing surprises!