Geely Starray EM-i adds an all-wheel-drive Inspire plug-in hybrid from $44,990
Geely has added an all-wheel-drive flagship to its Geely Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV range. The new Starray EM-i Inspire AWD is priced from $44,990 before on-road costs and is now in Australian showrooms, having arrived from mid-September.
It is the first all-wheel-drive Starray sold in Australia and sits $3,500 above the front-drive Inspire and $7,500 above the entry-level Complete.
The Starray EM-i range now spans front-drive and all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrids.
2026 Geely Starray EM-i prices
Variant | Price before on-road costs | Battery | EV range (WLTP) | Combined range (WLTP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete | $37,490 | 18.4kWh | 83km | 943km |
Inspire | $41,490 | 29.8kWh | 136km | 996km |
Inspire AWD | $44,990 | 29.8kWh | 130km | 1,065km |
What the AWD adds
The Inspire AWD keeps the 29.8kWh battery, 160kW and 262Nm front motor and 1.5-litre petrol engine of the front-drive Inspire, then adds an 80kW and 150Nm motor on the rear axle. Combined output rises to 220kW and 412Nm, cutting the claimed 0 to 100km/h time to 6.3 seconds, compared with 8.2 seconds for the front-drive Inspire and 8.0 seconds for the Complete.
A larger 60-litre fuel tank lifts claimed combined range to 1,065km, 69km more than the front-drive Inspire. Electric-only range dips slightly to 130km and claimed fuel use rises from 1.6 to 1.7L/100km on the WLTP cycle. The rear suspension moves to a five-link layout, and Snow and Off-road drive modes join the existing Pure, Hybrid and Power settings.
Equipment
Equipment matches the front-drive Inspire. Highlights include 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, a 15.4-inch touchscreen, a 13.8-inch head-up display, a 16-speaker sound system, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, and a 3D surround-view camera. The main boot holds 428 litres, although the rear motor takes away 72 litres of underfloor storage.
Inside the right-hand-drive Starray EM-i.
Should you pick the AWD
For most buyers the front-drive Inspire already covers daily driving, and it offers slightly more electric range for $3,500 less. The AWD makes more sense if you regularly drive on gravel, wet or snowy roads, or simply want the extra performance. The second motor also helps traction when pulling away quickly in the wet, where a front-drive SUV is more likely to lose grip.
Keep in mind that the price excludes on-road costs, so the drive-away figure will be higher depending on your state. Geely’s 0.09 per cent comparison rate finance offer on the Starray EM-i runs until 31 October 2026, so check with your dealer whether it applies to the AWD.
How it stacks up
All-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid SUVs under $50,000 are rare. The closest BYD rival, the BYD Sealion 6 Premium Extended Range AWD, is listed at $52,990 before on-road costs, so the Geely undercuts it by $8,000. Our Starray EM-i versus Sealion 6 comparison covers the front-drive models in detail.
The Starray has been a strong seller for Geely, with 5,391 sales to the end of July 2026. To get the most from any plug-in hybrid, charge it often, as our guide to driving a plug-in hybrid without charging explains.
