Geely Emgrand X7

Geely Emgrand X7 at a glance

The Emgrand X7 was one of Geely's first SUVs, developed when the company still sold cars through several sub-brands. In China it appeared in 2012 as the Gleagle GX7 and the Shanghai Englon SX7, with an official market launch of the Gleagle version on 3 March 2014. When Geely shut down its sub-brands in 2015, the car became the Geely GX7, while export markets knew it as the Emgrand X7. It was the brand's answer to established compact SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson, at a much lower price.

Geely's growth from a fridge maker to the owner of Volvo is told in the history of Geely, and the brand's saloons include the Emgrand EC7 and the larger Emgrand EC8.

Engines and transmissions

The Emgrand X7 uses naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines with multi-point injection, 16 valves and variable valve timing:

Figures vary by market and year: Chinese specifications list the 1.8 at 98–102 kW (133–139 hp) and the 2.0 at 104 kW (141 hp), while export brochures quoted 139 PS for the 2.0 and 150 PS for the 2.4. The Emgrand X7 was never offered with a diesel, a hybrid or four-wheel drive, so it is a front-wheel-drive soft-roader rather than an off-road vehicle.

Consumption of 8–10 L/100 km (24–29 mpg US) on the combined cycle is high for a compact SUV, mainly because of the older engine technology and the automatic gearboxes.

Design, interior and boot space

The X7's styling is conservative, with a black plastic grille, slightly rounded headlights, fog lights set into the bumper and tall tail lights that run up the D-pillars. Along the sides, pronounced creases run over the wheel arches and the bottom of the doors, and the rear door glass sweeps up towards the D-pillar to make the Emgrand X7 look less boxy. At the back, rear fog lights sit low in the bumper and a large Geely nameplate fills the centre of the tailgate, which opens high enough for easy loading of the 580-litre boot.

Inside, the cabin uses grey plastics with silver inserts, LED-lit instruments and a large centre console. The driver's seat has six-way adjustment, or eight-way electric adjustment on top versions, and the rear seat backrests can also be adjusted.

Rear passengers get plenty of head and legroom in the Emgrand X7, and the large glass area gives good visibility. The boot holds 580 litres (20.5 cu ft) with the rear seats up, which is generous for the class, and the rear seats fold to extend it. The steering wheel adjusts for height and carries remote buttons for the audio system, and the centre console of later Emgrand X7s has a colour display.

Chassis and safety

The Emgrand X7 uses a monocoque body with MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear axle, rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic assistance and disc brakes on all four wheels, ventilated at the front. ABS with brake-force distribution, airbags and three-point belts were fitted to every Emgrand X7, with more driver aids on higher trims. Geely highlighted the X7's top score in the China New Car Assessment Programme (C-NCAP).

Emgrand X7 reliability and known faults

The Emgrand X7 is mechanically simple, but reviews and owners point to a few recurring weaknesses of the Geely:

• Interior trim quality below European and Japanese rivals.
• Noticeable body roll in corners.
• High fuel consumption, especially with the 2.4 automatic, and modest performance from the 1.8.
• Variable dealer and parts support for Geely, depending on the country.

Rivals: how the Emgrand X7 compares

In export markets the X7 competed with the Chery Tiggo, Great Wall Hover and Haval models, and with cheaper versions of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4. Its strengths were space and equipment for the price; its weaknesses were economy, resale value and dealer coverage. More Chinese models are listed among Chinese cars and in the Geely catalogue.