Car News China got a preview of the production model of the Geely Galaxy E5 ahead of its official launch on August 3rd. The Galaxy E5 is the brandโs first fully electric SUV and Geelyโs first vehicle to feature the new Aegis short-blade lithium iron phosphate batteries. The all-electric Galaxy E5 aims to take on the BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus), generating buzz with its performance, innovative features, and competitive pricing. Priced between 123,000 and 157,000 yuan (approximately 17,000 โ 22,000 USD), it seeks to strengthen Geelyโs foothold in the electric vehicle market and heighten competition.
Launched early last year, Geelyโs Galaxy brand has swiftly carved out its own identity with dedicated marketing, a unique website, and exclusive dealerships. The lineup includes the Galaxy E8 fastback, Galaxy L6 sedan, Galaxy L7 SUV, and the newly introduced Galaxy E5 compact SUV. The brand plans to expand to seven models by 2025.
From our test of the Galaxy E8 (test report), we concluded that the Galaxy E-series may not be as luxurious as its Geely counterparts from Zeekr. Still, it offers value for money, and the designers pay attention to the details. Letโs head out with the brand-new Galaxy E5 SUV on this weekโsย Sunday China Drive!ย
Exterior and Design
Our test car is the top-trimmed Galaxy E5, 530km Starship Edition, priced at 157,000 yuan (21,650 USD). Its design draws heavily from the Galaxy E8 fastback, maintaining a sleek and modern aesthetic. The front end showcases sharp LED headlights and a matrix-light closed grille, while the side profile features hidden door handles for a streamlined look.
The rear stands out with layered detailing and through-type LED taillights, enhancing its visual appeal. The trunk benefits from innovative CTB battery integration technology and the Galaxy 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive, providing ample storage space. Semi-closed aluminum alloy wheels add a touch of sophistication to the overall design. The doors closed with a reassuring solidity, with precisely aligned panels and a meticulously finished paint job.
The Interior
The interior of the Galaxy E5 is sleek and minimalist, which is also found in the Galaxy E8. A sizeable floating screen and a stylish white interior enhance its modern aesthetic. The build quality is notable, featuring sturdy, well-damped buttons and knobs.
The cabin includes a floating LCD instrument panel, a heads-up display (HUD), a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a floating central control screen. It runs on the highly customizable Meizuโs Flyme Auto OS powered by Chinaโs Dragon Eagle One 7 nm CPU, contributing to a high-tech, driver-centric atmosphere.
One very noticeable difference between our test car and the pre-production model demonstrated at the Shenzhen Auto Show is the 16-speaker Flyme audio system. The production modelโs audio system has been fine-tuned and emulated effects similar to Atmos while a movie or a song is being played. The audio quality has been enhanced significantly. Comfort is prioritized. It offers heating, ventilation, and massage functions for the front seats and adjustable backrests for added flexibility.
Storage
The exact trunk dimensions have not been disclosed. By inspection, it has a big boot. For extra storage, there is a draw underneath the rear air vents and another under the rear seats.
Driving Experience
The Galaxy E5 is designed to compete with BYDโs Atto 3. Measuring 4615/1901/1670 mm with a 2750 mm wheelbase and a curb weight of 1615 kg, it is slightly larger and lighter than the Atto 3. It features front-wheel drive and a single motor delivering 160 kW and 320 Nm, surpassing the Atto 3 by 10 kW and 10 Nm. The Galaxy E5โs drag coefficient is 0.269 Cd, compared to the Atto 3โs 0.29 Cd.
We previously tested the Zeekr 007 and the Galaxy E8 (both cars built on Geelyโs SEA architecture). The Galaxy E5 is built on the new GEA architecture derived from the SEA. The chassis felt solid during our test drive on the familiar suburban roads in Zhuhai. Despite offering a sport driving mode, the Galaxy E5 is tuned for a comfortable and smooth ride.
The carโs suspension is calibrated to absorb road imperfections effectively, maintaining a smooth ride even over humps and bumps. It employs CTB (cell-to-body) battery integration technology, achieving a 50:50 front-to-rear axle load ratio, which reduces weight, lowers the center of gravity, and enhances the carโs rigidity. Overall, the E5 handles quite well. Yet, there is a noticeable body roll and a lack of traction when turning sharp corners.
On straight roads, itโs a different story. The front single motor delivers 160 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, providing rapid acceleration at the traffic lights. The Galaxy E5 uses Geelyโs Galaxy 11-in-1 intelligent drive system, which integrates key components into a compact unit weighing 79.8 kg and measuring 72 liters.
The NVH is reasonable for a car at this price. At lower speeds, there is very little noise inside the cabin. Up to 100 km/h, there were no annoying noises inside the car. The steering is light yet precise. Throughout the test drive, I enjoyed the massage seats with ventilation.
Upon returning to the Galaxy dealershipโs parking lot, I jokingly said, โWe should not expect auto parking for a car at this price, right?โ โThis top trim model does have auto parking,โ the Galaxy rep replied. I was shocked because we have not seen these features offered in a car at this price. I was instructed on how to operate the auto parking. In seconds, the E5 was parked in its original parking spot.
Battery Range
Our test car features the 60.22 kWh Aegis short-blade lithium iron phosphate battery, which offers a range of 530 km CLTC.
Safety Features
The Geely Galaxy E5 boasts a suite of advanced safety features, including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind-Spot Monitoring (BSM), and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). Its high-strength steel frame and anti-collision cage for the battery provide enhanced structural integrity and occupant protection. These features and the vehicleโs robust design and cutting-edge technology ensure a secure and reliable driving experience.
Conclusion
The Galaxy E5 is designed to do everything a โlittle betterโ than the BYD Atto 3. This is the first time a 157,000 yuan (21,650 USD) vehicle from our Sunday China Drive series featured massage functions and auto parking. This is an indication of Geelyโs determination to challenge BYD Atto 3 (BYD Yuan Plus)โs dominance in Chinaโs compact electric SUV market and beyond. It has secured European and Australian N-Cap safety standards and is preparing for its launch overseas. The Geely-backed Proton will announce an E5-based EV in Malaysia by 2025 under the Proton eMas brand.
In the first half of 2024, Geely Auto Groupโs export sales soared to 197,428 units, a 67% year-on-year increase, doubling Chinaโs overall auto export growth rate. This surge highlights Geelyโs rising international competitiveness and the expanding global presence of Chinese automotive firms. The launch of the Galaxy E5 (on August 3) will offer its cutting-edge technology and innovations for the mass market.
Stay tuned for next weekโsย Sunday China Driveย atย Car News China, where you can get more evaluations of Chinese cars from a first-person perspective.
