Geely’s EX5 is set to get an early facelift bringing minor cosmetic updates and a significant change to its powertrain.
The family SUV only launched in the UK earlier this year but has been on sale in its native China since 2024. By China’s rapid production standards that means it’s due a midlife update, and details of the planned changes have been revealed in filings with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MITT).
The most obvious change is a move from the current car’s front-wheel-drive setup to a rear-wheel-drive arrangement – a switch that Geely subsidiary Polestar also made with its Polestar 2.
The EX5’s new motor is also much more powerful – putting out 328bhp compared with the current car’s 225bhp. Documents reveal this increases the car’s top speed from 109mph to 124mph. While there’s no word on changes to acceleration, it’s also safe to assume it will drop from the current 6.9-second 0-62mph.
BYD recently took a similar approach with its EX5-rivalling Atto 3. That car’s 201bhp front-mounted motor was replaced with a 309bhp rear-mounted unit or 443bhp two-motor setup.
Geely hasn’t indicated any changes to the EX5’s 66kWh battery, although the step up in power could also bring a step up in capacity and range, which is currently capped at 267 miles.
Visually, images logged with MIIT show very few changes from the current car. A subtlety redesigned front bumper and new tailgate script are the biggest obvious changes to the existing look, along with protruding door handles. These replace the existing flush-fit handles in line with new Chinese safety laws.
It’s not clear if or when the updated EX5 will make it to the UK, with a Geely spokesperson telling EV Powered that the brand “does not comment on future product”.
