The Geely EX5 is a Decent Gateway Car Toward Electrification

In 2025, Chinese car company Geely reported sales of just over three million vehicles worldwide, representing a 39 percent jump year-on-year. Of that number, over half were new energy vehicles. This year, Geely says it’s aiming even higher: 3.45 million units.

In the Philippines, the local distributor says it is targeting to move around 7,000 units in 2026. It’s an ambitious goal in a market that is fast shifting to electrified vehicles. Clearly the company is betting big on this shift and on its vehicle offerings in a bid to croner a bigger slice of the automotive industry pie.

One of its hero models in the country is the EX5, a compact crossover that comes in two main configurations: a pure Electric (EV) and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This makes it an easy entry point into the electrification revolution. The EX5 PHEV, in particular, pairs a gasoline engine with an electric motor to deliver smooth acceleration, which is especially useful in city traffic, while improving fuel economy without requiring charging.

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My test drive with the PHEV variant started with a long stew in traffic. But it was here where the hybrid system makes the most sense. The transitions between electric and gasoline power are subtle, almost unnoticeable unless you’re paying attention. For anyone coming from a conventional ICE car (like me), that’s a big advantage: you don’t need to adjust your driving style. It behaves the way you expect, just with less fuel being used in the process.

Inside, the EX5 features a clean, tech-forward cabin centered around a responsive infotainment screen, along with practical passenger and cargo space. It leans toward a clean, minimal setup. Most controls are handled through a central screen, which takes a bit of getting used to if you prefer physical buttons. Once you’re familiar with it, though, it works well enough. The system is responsive, and the menus are logical. It’s clearly designed around simplicity rather than flair. There’s decent space and comfort is a priority; get behind the wheel once and it feels like you’ve been driving it for years.

Space is practical. There’s enough room in the back for passengers to stay comfortable, and the flat floor helps. It’s the kind of layout that works for daily use; nothing unusual, but nothing missing either.

I took the unit out for a spin out in the country, on rougher roads to get a better sense of its limits. Over cracked surfaces and patched asphalt, it became clear that the suspension is tuned for comfort; it absorbs most of the imperfections without much fuss. While you still feel the impact of larger potholes, it’s not harsh, and the car doesn’t feel fragile. Verdict: it feels solid to make it usable beyond city driving, even if you wouldn’t call it particularly rugged.

Steering is light, especially at lower speeds, which makes it easy to handle in tight streets or parking areas. For everyday use, it’s straightforward and predictable.

After a few days, what stood out was how regular the experience felt, which is the point. For buyers considering a hybrid, the EX5 doesn’t ask much from you. You don’t have to plan your routes around charging stations. You don’t have to rethink how you drive. You just get in and go, and the system handles the efficiency side in the background.

While it’s not a driver’s car in the traditional sense—it probably won’t get your blood rushing when you slide behind the wheel—what it offers instead is usability and practicality. If this is the gateway car toward electrification, for most people, the tipping point might arrive faster than we’ll realize.