Geely EX5 vs Jaecoo E5 – which Chinese electric SUV should you buy? 

Unless you drive around with your eyes closed (never a good idea) you’ll have noticed lots of new car brands on the roads. Many Chinese car companies have launched in the UK market over the past year or two with new models that are loaded with kit and surprisingly affordable.

Geely and Jaecoo are two companies which are growing fast in the UK market. If you are looking for an electric family SUV, both have models that could be just what you are looking for. The Geely EX5 and Jaecoo E5 are chasing the same car buyers with a blend of generous space, lots of clever tech, and keen pricing.

The question is, should you buy the Geely EX5 or the Jaecoo E5? Let Carwow help you decide.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Geely EX5 vs Jaecoo E5: Design

If there’s one criticism of Chinese cars in general, it’s that the design tends to be a bit generic. There’s a tendency to borrow a few ideas from established models and then create a car that’s inoffensive but unexciting to look at.

Both the Geely EX5 and Jaecoo E5 fall into that category. Both look neat enough but are quite forgettable. The EX5 is the sleeker and sportier looking of the two, but the smooth shape lacks character. The E5 is more upright, giving a mini-Range Rover vibe, but it also lacks any quirky or memorable design details. Whereas most Jaecoo models have a prominent grille the E5 misses out on this feature, which makes for a bland appearance.

It really depends whether you prefer an SUV to look sleek or tough. We slightly favour the looks of the Geely EX5 but it’s a close call.

Geely EX5 vs Jaecoo E5: Interior and practicality

Both cars have clean and elegant interior designs. Of the two, the Geely EX5’s cabin is the more memorable. It’s really well made from high-quality materials. You’d never guess that the car costs less than £40,000.

The Jaecoo E5’s interior is solidly put together, too, although there are a few more cheap-looking materials than in the Geely.

Both cars have large and prominent touchscreens. In the Geely, the screen measures a whopping 15.4 inches across. It’s bright and quick to respond, but fiddly to use. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay but annoyingly Android Auto will come as an over-the-air update, probably in early 2026.

The Jaecoo’s screen is second best when it comes to size, but 13.2-inches is hardly small. The screen is portrait-oriented, which some drivers may prefer. It’s as quick and responsive as the Geely’s but a little more intuitive to use.

Both cars have plenty of space in the front. Drivers of most shapes and sizes should be comfortable in either car.

Rear-seat space is a decisive win for the EX5. It’s a longer car than the E5 and that’s been put to good use in the back, with generous legroom. In isolation the E5 has decent rear-seat space, but the EX5 has it well beaten.

The tables turn when it comes to the boot. The Jaecoo E5 has 480 litres for shopping bags or holiday luggage. That’s more than you’ll find in most alternatives, including the Geely EX5 which has 410 litres.

Despite the smaller boot, we rate the Geely more highly for its interior and practicality. It’s the better finished car with more room for passengers.

Geely EX5 vs Jaecoo E5: Motors, range and performance

Neither of these cars can compete with the likes of a Tesla Model Y for pace. That’s not necessarily a criticism, though – how fast does a family SUV need to be?

The Geely has 218hp and a 0-62mph time of around seven seconds. The Jaecoo has 207hp and is just a few tenths slower to 62mph. It’s not enough of a difference to really sway you either way.

Range is also a close-run thing. The Geely will travel 255-267 miles on a charge in official tests, slightly more than the Jaecoo’s 248-mile range.

There’s much more daylight between the two when it comes to charging speeds. The Geely can charge its 60.2kWh battery at up to 160kW if you plug in to an ultra-rapid charger. The Jaecoo’s 61.1kWh battery can only charge at 80kW.

That means the Jaecoo takes 7 minutes longer than the Geely to charge from 30-80% – it takes 27 minutes.

Geely EX5 vs Jaecoo E5: Price and standard equipment

Comparing the entry-level models, the Jaecoo is the cheaper car. In Pure spec, it starts from £27,505 compared with £31,990 for the Geely in SE trim. In fairness the Geely EX5 is a bigger car than the Jaecoo E5, but even so that’s a big price advantage.

Compare the range-topping models and the Jaecoo has a list price of £30,505, whereas the top-spec Geely costs £36,990.

Both cars have lots of standard kit. The Jaecoo E5 Pure comes with a six-speaker stereo, 18-inch alloys, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite navigation, and a comprehensive list of safety features and driver aids.

The Geely EX5 SE also has six speakers, 18-inch alloys, satellite navigation and lots of safety kit. For now, though, the Geely can mirror Apple smartphones but not Android models, something that should be remedied soon.

Geely EX5 vs Jaecoo E5: Verdict

The Geely EX5 and Jaecoo E5 are both impressive cars. They share the same wowscore of 8/10, so this comparison is a close contest.

In the Jaecoo E5’s favour, it has a much lower list price. The E5 also has a bigger boot than the EX5 and comes with Android Auto which the EX5 currently lacks.

On the other hand, the Geely EX5 has a more upmarket finish, and greater cabin space than the E5. It’s slightly quicker to accelerate and has a small advantage in terms of range, but when it comes to charging speeds the Geely is decisively better than the Jaecoo.

If you can live with a slightly smaller car, the E5 is an absolute bargain. For us, although it costs a little more, the Geely EX5 is the better buy. There really isn’t much to choose between them but we’d pick the Geely.

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Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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