Body type
5-seater; 5-door sub-compact crossover SUVEXTERIOR DESIGN
The Geely Coolray is cool, just as its name suggests, and sporty in a way that goes beyond much of its competition. It may still be relatively new to the block, but the sheer number on the roads speaks for itself. Sharp detailing and contoured body panels make it a stylish road companion, while its compact proportions (4,380 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, and 1,615 mm in height) also make it the smallest SUV in the Geely lineup.
While the sleek LED headlights and DRLs remain, the refreshed model now gets a larger blacked-out grille resembling the gaping air intake of a sports car, along with silver accents and faux bonnet vents to add aggression. Base models ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims get sporty black-painted 18-inch turbine-style alloys wrapped in 215/55 R18 tyres, complemented by red brake calipers for added visual drama.
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Black styling elements including the roof, pillars, and large rear spoiler further enhance the race-inspired vibe, while the quad exhaust outlets add drama, even if they may be slightly overkill for a car producing under 200 horsepower. Another standout design cue is the continuous rear light bar, a growing trend among Chinese vehicles that other automakers are increasingly adopting.
You have to commend Geely for injecting so much detail into what is ultimately an affordable vehicle. It never feels cheap, despite lingering badge stigma, and is arguably one of the best-looking cars in its segment. Even the lavender metallic paint works surprisingly well.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Step into the cabin of the Geely Coolray and you are greeted by a space that is both visually enticing and ergonomically friendly. The sporty interior is finished in a youthful two-tone red-and-black theme while still remaining clean and functional.
The dashboard centres around a large 14.6-inch infotainment screen positioned above a physical array of AC controls, unlike many modern cars that attempt to feel futuristic by relying almost entirely on touch inputs. Alongside sit a well-placed start/stop button and hazard switch. Satin-finish metallic trim, piano black elements, and a distinctive 3D-patterned texture on the doors, also echoed in the wheel design, help spruce up the ambience. Interestingly, the pattern resembles smocking, a decorative embroidery technique more commonly associated with luxury fashion.
The flat-bottom perforated leather steering wheel and toggle-style gear selector are both pleasant to grip and operate. Despite its compact dimensions, the Coolray offers a surprisingly good driving position, even for six-foot-tall occupants. The sporty faux-leather seats continue the red-and-black theme and feature interesting panel detailing. Power-adjustable seats, adjustable side mirrors, and easy-to-reach controls further enhance usability, although the steering column itself remains manually adjustable. One particularly unique touch is the sun visors with translucent extensions, which further improve overall visibility.
The rear cabin is fairly comfortable, offering roughly two to three inches of knee room along with decent headroom. As expected in this segment, it is better suited to two adults and perhaps a child in the middle rather than three full-sized adults. Finally, a panoramic sunroof helps the cabin feel airy and floods the interior with light.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
Under the bonnet sits a neatly packaged turbocharged 1.5-litre inline 4-cylinder engine.a common configuration in Chinese vehicles. At full song, it churns out a max. output of 174 PS at 5,500 rpm and max. torque of 290 Nm between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. And all of that twisting force is channelled through a wet 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to the front axle.
Around town, the Geely Coolray feels smooth and easy to manoeuvre, with its compact dimensions making it ideal for city driving while still remaining composed at highway speeds. The steering offers a decent amount of feedback, and the chassis responds naturally through corners. There is some turbo lag lower down the rev range, but there is also enough power to surprise you, with the tyres chirping off the line and the claimed 0–100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds feeling entirely achievable…perhaps even quicker on a good day. It is a zippy little SUV.
Switch into Sport mode via the small toggle on the lower console and most of that hesitation disappears. Throttle response sharpens noticeably, and the car surges forward with genuine enthusiasm, though the mode does little to alter the suspension response or steering feel in order to back up its dynamic character. Complementing the turbocharged powertrain are disc brakes on all four corners, providing good bite in a reasonably linear manner. Despite several acceleration runs and bouts of hard braking during testing, the Coolray still managed a usable range of around 500–550 km, returning roughly 11.6–12.2 km/l - respectable figures and reasonably close to the claimed 15.38 km/l (6.5 L/100 km).
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
Small doesn’t mean insignificant. The Geely Coolray offers a decent central cubby and glovebox, adjustable cupholders, a fold-out rear centre armrest with two cupholders, and door bins large enough to fit big bottles. Open the powered tailgate and you are greeted by a practical 330-litre boot. Fold down the 60:40 split rear seats and that expands to 1,038 litres — plenty for small- to medium-sized items. Under the floor sits a space-saver spare wheel.
The dual-zone air-conditioning system offers strong airflow and effective cooling, while rear AC vents help keep back-seat occupants comfortable too. The Coolray also gets ventilated front seats, a rarity in this segment.
Audio quality is good, though not exceptional, and it offers decent volume even while streaming music via Bluetooth. The wireless charger is not the quickest around, and while there are two USB-A ports, only one supports charging. A bigger drawback is the lack of native Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Instead, the car relies on a phone-mirroring app called CarbitLink, which is not the most seamless solution, especially with its vertical map orientation. The good news is that an update appears to be around the corner.
Visibility is excellent thanks to the 360-degree camera system — or “540-degree camera” as Geely likes to call it, since it can also display what is underneath the vehicle. The camera view automatically appears when indicating to help avoid curbs, though the car only gets rear parking sensors.
On the GF+ trim, you also get several safety features, including:
adaptive cruise control and Hill Descent Control (HDC)
rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist
six airbags
tyre-pressure monitoring system
And before this turns into a paragraph full of acronyms, it is probably best that you check the brochure for the full list of available safety features.
VERDICT
For 2026, the Geely Coolray receives a mild refresh, but it remains a well-rounded little SUV, arguably one of the best-looking and possibly one of the quickest in its class, backed by a comfortable and relatively spacious interior.
You may also be surprised by what the “Made in China” tag represents today, especially considering the build quality and materials on offer.
Yes, there is still some turbo lag, and the feature list lacks native Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. There is also lingering stigma around the durability, reliability, and residual value of Chinese vehicles. However, having AGMC as the distributor certainly adds credibility and reassurance.
RIVALS AND ALTERNATIVES
The Geely Coolray competes in a crowded segment that includes models like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Nissan Kicks. It also faces competition from value-focused options like the MG ZS and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, as well as more established names like the Toyota Corolla Cross.
