Geely Starray EM-i AWD: The Hybrid That Gets New Zealand’s Mixed Terrain Memo. Arriving October 2026 | Starting at $55,990 + ORC
New Zealand drivers have a unique problem that most car makers forget about. One moment you’re navigating Auckland’s urban sprawl, the next you’re tackling gravel farm roads, then you’re bombing down the motorway to the Coromandel. It’s a journey that demands flexibility, capability, and a powertrain that doesn’t force you to choose between electric cool-points and real-world practicality.
Enter the Geely Starray EM-i AWD, a properly thought-out SUV that actually understands how Kiwis drive.
The Numbers That Matter
Here’s what you need to know: 220kW of combined power, 412Nm of torque, and a 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds. That’s respectable performance for a hybrid, frankly. Up to 130km of pure-electric WLTP range for your daily commute, paired with a 1,065km combined range when you factor in the petrol backup. The 29.8kWh battery and 60-litre fuel tank combination is engineered for the real world, not some theoretical perfect-weather scenario.
All-Wheel Drive That Actually Makes Sense
The Starray EM-i AWD’s secret weapon is its dedicated rear electric motor producing 80kW and 150Nm. This means genuine all-wheel-drive capability that kicks in when you need it: wet roads, gravel tracks, uneven surfaces. The system intelligently distributes power where it’s needed, not where the marketing department thinks it sounds cool. Fresh Snow and Off-road drive modes join the existing Pure, Hybrid, and Power modes, while a five-link rear suspension system keeps things stable whether you’re carving through city streets or bouncing down a farm track.
The Cabin You’ll Actually Want to Spend Time In
Geely isn’t skimping on creature comforts either. You’re getting a 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic power sunroof, heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, a 13.4-inch head-up display, 16-speaker premium audio, 360-degree surround-view camera, and a powered tailgate. This is the tech-forward interior that makes five-seat family journeys feel less like a chore and more like, well, actually quite pleasant.
The Price That Makes Sense
Here’s where Geely drops the mic:Starting from just $55,990 + ORC for a fully-featured AWD plug-in hybrid. That’s below the $56,000 mark for a vehicle that punches well above its weight in capability and specification.
The Warranty You Can Actually Rely On
Seven-year unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, eight-year unlimited-kilometre high-voltage battery warranty, plus three years of roadside assistance (extendable to seven years with scheduled servicing). So Geely is confident enough to back this thing properly.
Tarmac Takeaway
The Geely Starray EM-i AWD isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, it’s trying to solve the actual problem New Zealand drivers face. Electric driving for everyday journeys, petrol-backed flexibility for longer travel, and all-wheel-drive confidence when conditions change. That’s not marketing speak. That’s engineering that actually listened to how real people drive. Available early-October 2026 through authorised Geely retailers nationwide. Geely is distributed exclusively by NordEast Vehicle Distributors, a division of Giltrap Group, representing six brands across the affordable-to-premium spectrum.
Key Specs at a Glance:
- Power: 220kW combined / 412Nm torque
- 0-100km/h: 6.3 seconds
- Pure-Electric Range: Up to 130km (WLTP)
- Combined Range: Up to 1,065km (WLTP)
- Battery: 29.8kWh
- Fuel Tank: 60 litres
- Warranty: 7 years vehicle / 8 years battery
- Price: From $55,990 + ORC
- Availability: Early October 2026
