Geely Emgrand

Meet Geely's sharp new subcompact sedan, the Emgrand. As the brand's first sedan model in the Philippines and fourth overall, it stands out with its premium design and unique naturally aspirated engine. Underneath its sleek hood, a 1.5-litre petrol engine churns out 102hp and 142 Nm of torque, all managed by a CVT to the front wheels. The Emgrand doesn't skimp on tech either, boasting an 8-inch infotainment system and a vibrant 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.

History

Originally known as the Emgrand EC7, the Geely Emgrand is a compact C-segment car crafted by China's Emgrand division. In 2014, after retiring the "Emgrand" brand, the car was rebranded as the Geely Emgrand.

Launched in July 2009 as the flagship for Geely's medium to high-end luxury brand Emgrand, the EC7 originally featured a selection of Mitsubishi-sourced engines. These included a 1.5-liter 4G15 inline-four and a 1.8-liter 4G18 inline-four engine.

Unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show with Geely's new Earth emblem, the second generation Emgrand marked the end of Geely's premium Emgrand brand. Though based on the same platform as its predecessor, many viewed the second generation model as more of a facelift.

Launched in May 2018, the third-generation Emgrand sedan built upon the structure of its predecessors. Though essentially an extensive facelift, this update sported a refreshed front and a completely revamped rear, giving the Emgrand a new look while retaining its foundational design.

In May 2021, news broke of the fourth-generation Emgrand sedan, a departure from previous models. Built on a new platform and body, its design aligns with Geely's Preface sedan and Xingyue L SUV. Powered by a 1.5-liter JLC-4G15B engine delivering 114hp, this B-segment sedan was launched in China by August 2021. It sits on Geely's BMA platform, offering a five-speed manual or CVT, and symbolizes a fresh direction for the Emgrand line.

At the 2021 Chengdu Motor Show, Geely hinted at the Emgrand L, an evolution of the Emgrand sedan, now boasting design cues from the Vision Starburst concept.

Variant and Price

The 2023 - 2024 Geely Emgrand is offered in 2 variants - which are priced from ₱ 798,000 to ₱ 908,000.

The Geely Emgrand boasts a sleek design, marked by a pronounced front grille and a distinct character line linking the lights. You have a choice between halogen or LED headlights. The ascending window line at the C-pillar and the 190 LED rear taillights, which greet you upon locking or unlocking, add flair. The rear combines full-width tail lights with diffuser accents, chrome detailing, and slender reflectors.

The Geely Emgrand offers a variety of wheels: the base S model features 15-inch steel wheels with 195/65-series tires, while the upgraded Premium and Comfort models roll on stylish 17-inch alloys with 205/50-series tires.

Dimensions

The interior of the Geely Emgrand radiates sophistication and youthfulness, stepping away from conventional design. Its unique blend of white and blue as the main colors adds an exciting contrast, setting it apart from the usual car interiors.

The Geely Emgrand offers two interior color options: black for the lower-end models and a white-and-blue combo for the premium ones. While the standard trim comes with fabric seats, the higher-end versions offer a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat and luxurious leather materials, adding a touch of class and comfort.

The Geely Emgrand's steering wheel features a telescopic and flat-bottomed design that tilts for a more tactile experience. While this adds to the car's aesthetics, the integrated glossy buttons might detract from the comfort.

The Emgrand's interior falls short with its eight-inch infotainment system, lacking support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, features that are typically standard today. Though it offers a screen mirroring app called "EasyConnect," users may find it unreliable and difficult to use, even presenting some ominous warnings on certain devices.

Safety features

The Emgrand Comfort model falls slightly short by offering only front airbags, whereas the Premium type adds side and curtain airbags. However, both variants are otherwise similarly equipped with safety and technology features, including ABS with EBD, traction control, stability control, hill-start assist, a reversing camera with dynamic line guidance, rear parking sensors, speed-sensing door locks, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Emgrand prioritizes passenger health by using water-soluble adhesives on fabrics and plastics, replacing traditional solvent-based ones. The cabin's leather is water-treated, and an automotive-grade CN95 filter swiftly removes external pollutants and odors, keeping the air fresh and clean.

Space

The Emgrand's spacious cabin feels like a larger sedan, with ample rear leg and elbow room. Though the sunroof reduces headroom, the driver enjoys six-way power seat adjustment and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, while passengers have a four-way manual adjustment option.

The Emgrand's cargo space is adequate, easily accommodating a week's worth of groceries or three medium-sized suitcases.

The Geely Emgrand's 1.5-liter engine churns out 102 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque, with a choice of a 5-speed manual or a CVT transmission.

On the road, Emgrand provides a pleasant driving experience. Its smooth powertrain and comfortable ride handle road imperfections with ease, while the cabin is as isolated as a compact sedan. While road noise is audible at highway speeds, it's easily drowned out by the music without turning up the volume.

The Emgrand's steering is effortlessly light in city driving and solidifies on the highway, making for a responsive and easy control. Even with some body roll, the car's handling remains stable, aided by the width of the base curve. Features like cruise control on the Emgrand Comfort further enhance the ease of highway and mountain driving.

Emgrand provides a refined on-road experience, thanks to an impressive amount of insulation within the body panels. This ensures a remarkably quiet ride for its class.

Featuring Coolray-enabled BMA architecture, the Emgrand offers a smooth, well-balanced ride with excellent visibility and responsive handling.

The Emgrand's suspension, designed for comfort, handles road imperfections with ease, giving a feel of a premium vehicle. While there's a slight float in corners, the plush seats and above-average noise isolation add to a comfortable cabin experience.

The Geely Emgrand's fuel efficiency is reasonable, achieving 9.7 km/l in light traffic and an impressive 16 km/l on the highway, where it can smoothly cruise at 90 km/h.

The Emgrand (or GC9) elegantly blends economy, luxury and performance. It borrows design from Volvo, including the front grille, and takes advantage of its advanced safety tech and sleek design, and is generally considered an affordable option.