Auto Review: The all-new Geely Starray is a cosmic crossover

The earliest known civilisations have shown great interest in celestial bodies. The Pyramids of Giza, for example, are said to be aligned with Orion’s Belt. And we in the modern world have also shown reverence for these astronomical entities. The Japanese automaker Subaru exemplifies this with its logo, which features six stars representing the Pleiades cluster.

Speaking of which, more recently, we’ve had the good fortune to get behind the wheel of the all-new Geely Starray. Besides having a name and design cues that call on the stars, it also aims to earn as many as possible. So, does it hit the mark—or miss it? Here’s the full scoop:

Design and aesthetics

The Starray is yet another compact crossover, but it maintains a tasteful distinction over its rivals thanks to a design inspired by the stunning, sci-fi-like Geely Vision Starburst concept. With its sharp details, sculpted bodywork, and tapering motifs, it effortlessly conveys motion and speed. The most eye-catching elements are the “Stars-aligned” DRLs and “Particle Ray Headlights” (both LEDs) that merge seamlessly with the blacked-out “Lightwave Ripple” front grille—like blocks in a pixelated screen. The squarish wheel arches and dual-tone paint job also add extra visual appeal. The trained eye may also find that the vehicle’s silhouette and “Full-arrow full-width tail lamps” share an uncanny resemblance to the GAC Emkoo’s—not a bad thing considering both have attractive exteriors. Furthermore, continuing the theme are 20-inch Galactic wheels that our top-spec test vehicle rolled on. With its allure, the Starray brings aspirational qualities to the Chinese crossover segment, vehicles that were previously seen as mere commuters. A cosmic change, I suppose.

The entry price may not speak it, but the cabin has luxury vibes thanks to its striking two-tone layout and accommodation—black on top and tan below—and a host of unique attributes. The 4-spoke steering wheel, for instance, has a flat-top-and-bottom design, which not only looks sporty but also does not deter functionality. Behind it is a colourful 10.2-inch instrument panel, which is accompanied by a large vertically oriented, cutting-edge 13.2-inch infotainment display. What’s most striking are the vertical ambient lighting details on the dash and doors—as opposed to the horizontal lines we often see—and the diamond-cut crystal gear selector. This isn’t some lazy design; somebody has taken the effort to conceive and implement these ideas, keeping it interesting for the occupants. And general plastic quality is good too.

It even has special sun visors with a transparent bottom half, which, besides improving visibility, is something we’ve never seen before, and a panoramic sunroof which gives a good view of Dubai’s skyline—or of a starry night.

What could complete the luxury résumé is genuine leather upholstery. But the good news is the leatherette seats are reasonably supple, and the 6-way power driver’s seat adjustment along with the extending thigh supports—like in a BMW—help you get into position easily. And the rear cabin is comfy too, with plenty of knee and headroom.

Powertrain and performance

From our very first outing in the Starray to the last, we found it to be an easy steer through bustling Dubai streets and at high-speed highways, thanks to the commanding view of the road (not to be compared to a Nissan Patrol), compact dimensions, and obedient chassis.

As you step on the accelerator, you get those noises of the turbo spooling up from the 2.0-litre engine, which positively perk up your cochlear nerves, albeit it can sound a bit less refined at times. And it doesn’t just sound sporty—it is quick off the draw too. With 325 Nm on tap available via a 7-speed DCT, it will enthusiastically pull itself from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and quickly pick up the pace for highway overtaking manoeuvres.

With grippy 20-inch 245-section tyres and all-wheel drive traction, it also negotiates corners efficiently. But of course, this pertains to everyday driving, not racetrack antics. Additionally, even without any suspension gimmickry, it delivers a quiet and compliant ride suited for long hauls.

The 54-litre tank is unexpectedly small, but it indicated a commendable range of 650 km—that’s averaging 12 km/l.

The only real concern I had is the shift mechanism. One needs to step on the brake hard to shift between drive modes, which is annoying. Also, with no low-ratio gearing or diff lock, this one isn’t intended for beyond the tarmac.

Features and functionality

You can throw in those sports kits into the generously sized 650-litre boot or expand it to 1,610 litres by dropping down the rear seats to accommodate travel luggage.

As for technology, the Starray has lots to offer, but with a few drawbacks. It has a 9-speaker Infinity by Harman audio system, but it doesn’t quite hit all the notes. Some equalisation of frequencies is needed. The infotainment screen menus are legible, but the response lacks promptness. Connectivity is serviced through Bluetooth or via the under-console space with two USB-C ports. Even the rear cabin also has A/C vents, and USB-C and USB-A ports. Having a 15W wireless charging pad is also a plus!

In terms of safety, the ADAS is among the best we’ve sampled. The adaptive cruise control works so well with the lane-keeping assist to keep the car centred and at a safe distance. Besides that, it also comes with a rather clear 360-degree camera perspective, hill start assist, TPMS, and traffic sign identification. It comes fully stacked.

Verdict

The 2025 Geely Starray is one of China’s many answers to established rivals that are wearing those inflated price tags. Yes, it’s yet another crossover, but it distinguishes itself with astronomical-themed design cues while satisfying the essential demands by being fairly spacious, well-appointed, and quick and frugal on the road. There’s little to fault beyond the finicky transmission shifter, sluggish screen response, and the muddled audio quality. And of course, questions about reliability and residual value still loom, which Geely counters with a 7-year/250,000 km warranty. Also, there’s something cool about being associated with the stars, don’t you think?

GOOD - Unique astronomical theme; luxury-feel interiors; peppy powertrain; road dynamics; exhaustive feature list; price

BAD - Finicky shifts; audio lacks balance; unproven reliability and questionable residual value

EDITOR’S RATING - 7.5/10 stars

SPECIFICATIONS

Body type - 5-seater; 5-door compact crossover SUV

Engine - Front-engine; turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder; all-wheel drive

Transmission - 7-speed DCT (automated manual)

Peak output - 218 bhp @ 5,600 rpm - 325 Nm @ 4,100 rpm

0 to 100km/h - 7.2 seconds (estimated)

Top speed - 180 km/h (drag limited; estimated)

Price - Starting at Dh94,500