Geely made a return to South Africa market late in 2025 in an official capacity, rather than being represented by an importer. The initial line-up was a pair of electrified mid-size SUVs. The Chinese automaker has since added a small cost-effective EV hatchback. This week a traditional compact SUV called the Coolray was introduced to the SA media.
A fight in the compact SUV class
The local compact SUV market is crowded with cars from just about every automaker on the market. The Coolray enters that space with a shape that looks sharper than the usual fare. Its package tries to cover the things that buyers find most important: performance, tech, and running costs.
The Coolray measures 4 380 mm from nose to tail, 1 795 mm across, and 1 609 mm tall. A 2 600 mm wheelbase gives it cabin packaging that should keep rear occupants happy. Underneath, the suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a torsion-beam rear axle. Electric power steering is fitted, and Geely claims it has been tuned for accuracy and confidence.
Inside
The cabin is where the Coolray leans hardest into the modern crossover aesthetic. Geely has gone for a 14,6-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen sitting right in the middle of the dashboard in landscape orientation. It is complemented by an 8,8-inch digital instrument cluster.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, with Bluetooth and multiple USB ports included as well. Higher derivatives add wireless smartphone charging, multi-color ambient lighting, power-adjustable seating, a panoramic sunroof, and an electric tailgate. See lower down this post for a breakdown.
Turbo Power
Every version of the Coolray uses Geely’s 1,5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The four-cylinder unit makes 128 kW and 290 N.m between 2 000 and 3 500 r/min. The useful shove sits in the middle of the rev range, and the unit does feels as though it has a tad more oomph than similar items from rival automakers.
Drive goes to the front wheels through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. Geely says the gearbox has been engineered for durability, and efficiency. The claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 7,6 seconds, which is pretty decent. Claimed combined fuel consumption is 6,5 litres per 100 km, a lot better than most of its rivals.
We had about a 100 km stint behind the wheel of the Coolray. The power delivery feels more than adequate for a vehicle of this size with the transmission going about its job seamlessly in the background. The ride quality seems pretty decent, too, although the roads we traversed are of good quality. We’d need more time on surfaces we use regularly to make a proper call on this.
Safety
Geely offers every Coolray with ABS, EBD, ESC, traction control, Hill Hold Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, and Isofix child-seat anchor points. The higher grades add more hardware. Vanguard and Vertex versions get six airbags, while the range-topping Vertex adds some driver assistance systems. Vanguard and Vertex derivatives also add a 540-degree panoramic camera system.
The range at a glance
- Nova has 17-inch alloys, LED lighting, keyless entry, a multifunction steering wheel, the 14.6-inch infotainment screen, digital instrumentation, automatic climate control, and the standard safety suite.
- Vanguard steps up to 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, perforated faux-leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, ambient lighting, a six-speaker audio system, the 540-degree camera system, and extra airbags.
- Vertex adds a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, wireless charging, motorsport-inspired styling details, and the full driver-assistance package.
Geely Coolray Pricing
- Nova – R369 900
- Vangaurd – R399 900
- Vertex – R429 900
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