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CarGurus UK review of the Leapmotor B05
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Question of the Day: Will you be subscribing to the new Disney+ R49 streaming package?
Chinese cars, are they as bad as everyone thinks?
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FiestaST
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Geely Monjaro coming to UK as big PHEV family SUV
Kodiaq-sized SUV is the fourth UK model from Volvo parent's own brand
China's Geely will go after the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq with a big plug-in hybrid SUV called the Monjaro.
Already on sale in the brand's home market as the Xingyue L, the Monjaro is a 4770mm-long crossover equipped with the same EM-i hybrid powertrain technology as the smaller Geely Starray.
The SUV will go on sale in Egypt in August before "steadily expanding into global markets". A European debut is set to follow soon, before a UK launch – likely next year.
The EM-i system is a new addition for the Monjaro, which is not yet offered with PHEV power in other global markets, and Geely has not yet given specific details of the powertrain.
The Starray EM-i uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to produce 258bhp, with the larger of two available battery options giving an engine-off range of 81 miles.
Unlike the front-driven Starray, however, the Monjaro's PHEV powertrain will drive both axles.
The Monjaro will face off with a growing number of Chinese D-segment hybrid SUVs in the UK, including the closely related Omoda 9 and Jaecoo 8, as well as the MG HS, BYD Seal-U and Leapmotor C10.
Geely has not given prices for the UK yet, but a starting price in the low £40,000s would position it clearly above the Starray while lining it up with those rivals.
www.autocar.co.uk
Kodiaq-sized SUV is the fourth UK model from Volvo parent's own brand
China's Geely will go after the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq with a big plug-in hybrid SUV called the Monjaro.
Already on sale in the brand's home market as the Xingyue L, the Monjaro is a 4770mm-long crossover equipped with the same EM-i hybrid powertrain technology as the smaller Geely Starray.
The SUV will go on sale in Egypt in August before "steadily expanding into global markets". A European debut is set to follow soon, before a UK launch – likely next year.
The EM-i system is a new addition for the Monjaro, which is not yet offered with PHEV power in other global markets, and Geely has not yet given specific details of the powertrain.
The Starray EM-i uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to produce 258bhp, with the larger of two available battery options giving an engine-off range of 81 miles.
Unlike the front-driven Starray, however, the Monjaro's PHEV powertrain will drive both axles.
The Monjaro will face off with a growing number of Chinese D-segment hybrid SUVs in the UK, including the closely related Omoda 9 and Jaecoo 8, as well as the MG HS, BYD Seal-U and Leapmotor C10.
Geely has not given prices for the UK yet, but a starting price in the low £40,000s would position it clearly above the Starray while lining it up with those rivals.
Geely has confirmed its next UK car: the Monjaro | Autocar
Kodiaq-sized SUV is the fourth UK model from Volvo parent's own brand
www.autocar.co.uk
EmmanuelGoldstein
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FiestaST
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Mzansi Popular Rides review of the Geely E5 EM-i Apex
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SnapChangeMedia South Africa review of the Geely E2
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Saw one earlier on. Looks dope af. Presence 'R Us.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Why Chinese double-cab bakkies have lower tow ratings…
The tow ratings of Chinese double-cab bakkies are lower than those of Toyota’s Hilux or the Ford Ranger. We explain why, and how this is starting to change.
The Cars.co.za stats experts provide a great breakdown of what’s happening each month in the South African new-car market. There are often surprises in the data, but the broad trends are quite obvious: bakkies and SUVs are more popular than ever.
More South Africans now own a vehicle with a 3 500 kg tow capacity than ever before. The irony is that few South African drivers know what the capacity actually means. Or know how to tow.
It’s all an unintended consequence of the surging popularity of double-cab bakkies as urban family cars. Buyers are choosing powerful double cabs for the feeling of safety and all-terrain capability when embarking on a cross-country road trip. And some load bin utility for occasionally getting something bulky home from a retail store.
Is unused tow capacity valuable?
Is that 3 500 kg braked tow capacity a waste if left unused? Many South African owners of luxury double cabs may ponder this question.
Even if you’ve never used the peak tow rating of a Ford Ranger V6 turbodiesel or a Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (both of which have a braked tow rating of more than 3 000 kg), it still has value. Why? Because some components are over-engineered to handle that towing weight and therefore offer benefits in many other driving conditions, too.
It means the engine and transmission cooling systems are designed for extreme towing loads. This also makes these bakkies cope well with driving in traffic, where airflow is low, especially in extreme temperatures; or when driving slowly in low-range through thick sand, where engines and transmissions are working very hard but the ambient airflow for cooling is low.
The tow ratings of Chinese double-cab bakkies are lower than those of Toyota’s Hilux or the Ford Ranger. We explain why, and how this is starting to change.
The Cars.co.za stats experts provide a great breakdown of what’s happening each month in the South African new-car market. There are often surprises in the data, but the broad trends are quite obvious: bakkies and SUVs are more popular than ever.
More South Africans now own a vehicle with a 3 500 kg tow capacity than ever before. The irony is that few South African drivers know what the capacity actually means. Or know how to tow.
It’s all an unintended consequence of the surging popularity of double-cab bakkies as urban family cars. Buyers are choosing powerful double cabs for the feeling of safety and all-terrain capability when embarking on a cross-country road trip. And some load bin utility for occasionally getting something bulky home from a retail store.
Is unused tow capacity valuable?
Is that 3 500 kg braked tow capacity a waste if left unused? Many South African owners of luxury double cabs may ponder this question.
Even if you’ve never used the peak tow rating of a Ford Ranger V6 turbodiesel or a Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (both of which have a braked tow rating of more than 3 000 kg), it still has value. Why? Because some components are over-engineered to handle that towing weight and therefore offer benefits in many other driving conditions, too.
It means the engine and transmission cooling systems are designed for extreme towing loads. This also makes these bakkies cope well with driving in traffic, where airflow is low, especially in extreme temperatures; or when driving slowly in low-range through thick sand, where engines and transmissions are working very hard but the ambient airflow for cooling is low.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
The Right Car? review of the Zeekr X
FiestaST
Honorary Master
I would have thought that, given the name, the Monjaro would be a bit slimmer...Geely Monjaro coming to UK as big PHEV family SUV
Kodiaq-sized SUV is the fourth UK model from Volvo parent's own brand
China's Geely will go after the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq with a big plug-in hybrid SUV called the Monjaro.
Already on sale in the brand's home market as the Xingyue L, the Monjaro is a 4770mm-long crossover equipped with the same EM-i hybrid powertrain technology as the smaller Geely Starray.
The SUV will go on sale in Egypt in August before "steadily expanding into global markets". A European debut is set to follow soon, before a UK launch – likely next year.
The EM-i system is a new addition for the Monjaro, which is not yet offered with PHEV power in other global markets, and Geely has not yet given specific details of the powertrain.
The Starray EM-i uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to produce 258bhp, with the larger of two available battery options giving an engine-off range of 81 miles.
Unlike the front-driven Starray, however, the Monjaro's PHEV powertrain will drive both axles.
The Monjaro will face off with a growing number of Chinese D-segment hybrid SUVs in the UK, including the closely related Omoda 9 and Jaecoo 8, as well as the MG HS, BYD Seal-U and Leapmotor C10.
Geely has not given prices for the UK yet, but a starting price in the low £40,000s would position it clearly above the Starray while lining it up with those rivals.
Geely has confirmed its next UK car: the Monjaro | Autocar
Kodiaq-sized SUV is the fourth UK model from Volvo parent's own brand
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FiestaST
Honorary Master
carsales review of the Geely EX2
FiestaST
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Electrifying review of the Geely EX2
FiestaST
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phoneJunky
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Just test drove the Geely E2 Apex yesterday and from what it felt like it drove just as I normally drive my Tesla. I was pleasantly surprised.
Of course it didn’t have the acceleration but I rarely need the Tesla’s very fast acceleration and the charging is slower. I also missed the just walking away and not having to lock. But those are the only real things that jumped out at me.
The pros are that it has indicator stalks and an instrumentation cluster. It also feels more premium than the Tesla inside.
I had a GWM Steed before and it was good, although it had small things that bugged me.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Cars.co.za review of the Geely E5 EM-i i
FiestaST
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FiestaST
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Leapmotor B03X electric compact SUV confirmed for SA
Leapmotor has confirmed the B03X for SA, with the Chinese automaker’s local arm saying on its website the all-electric compact SUV is ‘coming in 2026’.
In October 2025, Leapmotor officially arrived in South Africa, with the Stellantis-backed Chinese automaker’s initial local model lineup comprising the C10 REEV. Fast forward to August 2026, and the company would expand its SA portfolio with the introduction of the B10 REEV. However, it seems the brand isn’t slowing down. Indeed, Leapmotor SA has confirmed on its website that the B03X all-electric compact SUV is ‘coming in 2026’.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the B03X measures 4 270 mm in length, 1 810 mm in width, and 1 635 mm in height. The B03X’s wheelbase spans 2 605 mm. The ground clearance is rated at 175 mm. Leapmotor claims a boot capacity of 510 litres, which expands to 1 605 litres for utility purposes when folding down the 40:60-split rear seatbacks.
The B03X is equipped with a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The latter, front-mounted item can be had with either a 39.8 or 53 kWh battery. Equipped with the former and latter, the electric motor produces 130 and 145 kW, respectively. Both setups are endowed with 200 N.m of torque.
Leapmotor claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds and a 160 km/h top speed for both derivatives. The 39.8 kWh battery offers a claimed operating range of 292 km (WLTP) on a single, full charge. The larger-capacity item offers 90 km more, at 382 km. Leapmotor claims energy consumption figures of 15.5 and 15.7 kWh/100 km for the less and more powerful models, respectively.
www.carmag.co.za
Leapmotor has confirmed the B03X for SA, with the Chinese automaker’s local arm saying on its website the all-electric compact SUV is ‘coming in 2026’.
In October 2025, Leapmotor officially arrived in South Africa, with the Stellantis-backed Chinese automaker’s initial local model lineup comprising the C10 REEV. Fast forward to August 2026, and the company would expand its SA portfolio with the introduction of the B10 REEV. However, it seems the brand isn’t slowing down. Indeed, Leapmotor SA has confirmed on its website that the B03X all-electric compact SUV is ‘coming in 2026’.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the B03X measures 4 270 mm in length, 1 810 mm in width, and 1 635 mm in height. The B03X’s wheelbase spans 2 605 mm. The ground clearance is rated at 175 mm. Leapmotor claims a boot capacity of 510 litres, which expands to 1 605 litres for utility purposes when folding down the 40:60-split rear seatbacks.
The B03X is equipped with a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The latter, front-mounted item can be had with either a 39.8 or 53 kWh battery. Equipped with the former and latter, the electric motor produces 130 and 145 kW, respectively. Both setups are endowed with 200 N.m of torque.
Leapmotor claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds and a 160 km/h top speed for both derivatives. The 39.8 kWh battery offers a claimed operating range of 292 km (WLTP) on a single, full charge. The larger-capacity item offers 90 km more, at 382 km. Leapmotor claims energy consumption figures of 15.5 and 15.7 kWh/100 km for the less and more powerful models, respectively.
Leapmotor B03X electric compact SUV confirmed for SA
Leapmotor has confirmed the B03X for SA, with the automaker's local arm saying the all-electric compact SUV is ‘coming in 2026’...
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master