Geely Emgrand 7 (2016-2020) – Chinese “happiness” for 1,2 million rubles.

The Geely Emgrand 7 sedan modestly sits on a par with the Volkswagen Polo, Kia Rio, and Hyundai Solaris. Right there, not far away, our “Vesta” and the French “Logan” hang out. In a word, the company is simple, without claims to ranks and titles. These are machines accessible to people. Let us clarify, so as not to offend anyone: we are talking about those who are called “the broad masses of the people.”


Well, masses, we are lucky! “Geely” translated from Chinese means “happiness”. And here, without irony: the car passed the most difficult Euro NCAP crash test. The European Independent Vehicle Safety Testing Committee awarded the sedan 4 stars.

A colossal achievement: very few people deserve 5 “stars” (experts will confirm). Why not consider the Gili Emgrand 7 as a candidate for a place in the garage?.. Then you need to study the issue more thoroughly.

About the manufacturer

This personality, if we can talk about the car brand like that, has been familiar to us since 2007. The simple but memorable nameplate of the Chinese company Geely Automobile was brought by independent distributors.


These guys (again, if I may say so...) were patient. They politely waited until the people figured out what kind of goods from the Middle Kingdom they were offering. The Russians quickly realized: it was a mistake, but it was cheap.

They scolded the Chinese, but they took the cars and stubbornly called the product “Gili.” The owners of the brand were quietly indignant: the company, they say, is called “Tsili”. Well, or, at worst, strictly according to the transcription - “We lived.” But it’s in our face that... “Gili”, period.

Slowly - from hundreds of cars to thousands of units - trade gained momentum. Today there are about 60 Geely dealerships in the country. Moreover, the company has implemented a “transformation strategy.” That is, it became a full-fledged player in the Russian market: it built assembly plants.

Further stay in Russia

Really active work began in 2011. We imported components and assembled cars in Cherkessk. Then they abandoned the “screwdriver” assembly: they entrusted the BelGee plant near Zhodino with the full production cycle with welding, body painting, and other matters. Here the Chinese “blunder” superimposed on the Belarusian “blunder”, increased slightly in size, and it became impossible to distinguish them.


But people have already become proficient in foreign cars. Some people still took the “happiness” cars, cried, but wrote rave reviews. Perhaps to harm an enemy: let him buy it and suffer. Sensitive Chinese comrades caught the dangerous moment. Unobtrusively and subtly, they informed the world that they had tactical changes:



The "reoriented" cars became much better. The hero of our review - Geely Emgrand 7 - really received “innovative solutions”, since it passed the Euro NCAP crash test with a four. And it’s 2016-2020: it’s become unfashionable to assemble cars poorly.

Model review: “bummers”

The inhabitant of the garage will turn out to be cute if you decide to buy a Gili Emgrand 7. But difficult to understand and controversial. Here it is: either you trust the Chinese with all their shortcomings, trying to look “expensive and rich” and take the car. Or... Well, them! You will be tired of running around to dealers and writing to the manufacturer. They will kick you everywhere: not covered by warranty, they say.


And the Geely Emgrand 7 generously prepared “cases”: from the persistent smell of cheap leatherette and unclear chemicals in the cabin to uncontrolled drifts in corners. From dim headlights and lack of foglights to primitive seat shapes.

There’s also the height adjustment of the power steering steering wheel, like on purpose: go and reach the steering wheel if you’re a gentleman of average height. The front seats with single-stage heating are promised to be two-component, but you won’t get a soft hug.

The back of the sofa is very tilted back - you quickly get tired of the uncomfortable position. The gallery passengers themselves warm their seats, not theirs. The steering wheel, covered with “fragrant” leatherette, is, of course, also not heated. Landing with a low roof slope is uncomfortable. However, like in the Volkswagen Polo. But no one is offended by the “German”.

Other negative points

The light sensor is installed in the most “suitable” place - behind the dashboard. The controller reacts to an approaching cloud or a shadow from a building. You wink at the oncoming driver out of nowhere. He thinks there is an ambush with radars ahead, thanks with a response blink and slows down. Basically, it's fun.


Keyless entry only applies to the driver's door. The automatic window lifters were taught to work in one direction - to open the windows. The washer reservoir holds a ridiculous 2 liters and the nozzles are on display.

The width of the racks was made critical: a little more, and you might not notice the truck. In two-pedal versions with a variable transmission, the engine starts from a button, which is relevant and modern. But at the same time, you physically feel how the car comes to life: it bounces slightly and vibrates across the floor.

In drive mode, the tension increases, and the trembling no longer leaves your body. Especially at idle and during heavy driving. But sometimes it suddenly disappears, leaving the already accustomed owner in bewilderment.

Continuation of the Geely Emgrand 7 review: “but”

Fortunately, there is a lot to please about the Geely Emgrand 7. For every mistake there is a “but”. Isn't the design nice? Neat decor distracts from misunderstandings and forgives a lot. Here you go: the gaps between the body panels are minimal, decorative elements do not fly out of their places. The paint and primer is of high quality.


There is no handle for opening the trunk (this operation is carried out from the key fob or from the inside), but the lock is decorated with a soft backing, like in premium brands. The fabulous 680 liters of luggage compartment volume is not visible, but there is a backlight. And you can put enough things in: the stowage bag doesn’t take up a lot of space.

We criticize the sofa, but how grateful are our size 48 feet and knees: no embarrassment. Rear riders have a comfortable armrest with cup holders at their fingertips. The parprise has a harmonious shape and is made of soft materials.

The instruments are easy to read. The average fuel consumption is not displayed on the display, the clock is in a hurry, but the rear-view mirrors are large, and the wipers cover a decent area. The doors are equipped with red lights to warn you when they are open. Sound insulation is better than that of classmates.

What is indisputable: acceleration is quite brisk. The variator stalls for only a couple of seconds, and then responds adequately to the accelerator. Sport mode is precise. Acceleration dynamics correspond to the Kia Rio with a 1,6-liter engine with an automatic transmission - 10,5 seconds to “one hundred”.

Model in numbers

The four-door sedan Geely Emgrand 7 takes 5 people on board. Gross weight 1680 kg.


Machine dimensions:

✅ Length – 4631mm
✅ Width - 1789 mm
✅ Height – 1479 mm.
✅ Between bridges – 2650 mm
✅ Clearance - 167 mm
✅ Tires – 205/55 R16

Regarding the tires: stock Chinese ones are surprised by every bump and dimple, and immediately rush to convey their emotions to the driver. It is better to immediately change the tires to the ones you are used to.

The engine is a petrol inline four. Located in front transversely.

Engine Specifications:

✅ Volume - 1,8 l
✅ Power - 133 liters. With. at 6,0 thousand rpm
✅ Torque – 170 N*m at 4,4 thousand rpm
✅ Consumption in mixed mode – 7,8 l per 100 km

The gas tank holds 50 liters of AI-95-98. Drive is supplied to the front wheels. Transmission: 5-speed manual or Punch VT2 CVT without torque converter. The stated speed is 185 km/h. However, pushing the needle over 140 km/h is risky.


The suspension has an independent MacPherson strut at the front and a semi-independent spring mechanism at the rear. The brakes are ventilated discs at the front and disc brakes at the rear.

If we put the model’s shortcomings on one side of the scales of the goddess of justice Themis, and the advantages on the other, then the balance will most likely be maintained. The question is different: will a fragile woman retain her attribute, loaded with “shits” and “but”? We hope the manufacturer won’t get his head cut. But he will scold...