Geely Binyue PHEV

Model Overview

The Geely Binyue PHEV is the first plug-in hybrid B-segment SUV built on Geely Auto's BMA modular platform. Officially launched on 28 May 2019, it marked Geely Auto’s maiden PHEV SUV offering in the new energy vehicle (NEV) segment. The model debuted in three variants—Knight 260T, Ranger 260T, and Battle—with initial official recommended retail prices ranging from RM172,800 to RM192,800, and post-subsidy nationwide on-the-road prices spanning RM139,800 to RM159,800. In 2022, the vehicle received a mid-lifecycle facelift that refined its hybrid powertrain while lowering the price tag to between RM119,800 and RM135,800. As a pioneer in the plug-in hybrid compact SUV segment back then, the Binyue PHEV filled a crucial market void and served as a cornerstone in driving Geely’s electrification blueprint.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the Binyue PHEV inherits the internal combustion engine (ICE) version’s "Time Racing Aesthetics" design philosophy, highlighting its eco-friendly credentials through bespoke touches like a two-tone body finish, subtle blue accents across the front grille and tailgate badges, as well as a dedicated charging port on the front-left wheel arch. Up front, it sports Geely’s signature Expanding Cosmos grille with the brand’s sleek black emblem, framed by an aggressive sports front bumper while retaining the twin-exit exhaust setup at the rear. Dimension-wise, it measures 4,330 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, and 1,609 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm—identical to its standard petrol sibling and sitting comfortably within mainstream B-SUV territory. It rides on 18-inch Phantom alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 R18 tyres. Colour options for the facelifted Binyue PHEV include Lightning White, Flame Red, and Storm Blue, with the dual-tone contrast roof serving as a prominent visual signature.

Inside, the cabin retains the T-shaped dashboard architecture from the ICE model, combining soft-touch slush-moulded surfaces with brushed aluminium-effect trim for a refined, premium ambiance. The cockpit is equipped with a 10.25-inch floating central touchscreen infotainment unit, a fully digital instrument cluster, an electronic gear selector, and jet turbine-inspired "starship thruster" air vents. Seat upholstery is finished in either combination leather-fabric or full leather, featuring a power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats on selected variants. The centre console and drive mode selector have been tailored specifically for the PHEV system, replacing the petrol variant's manual "M" gate with an energy regeneration adjustment dial alongside a dedicated EV/HEV drive mode toggle knob.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the skin, the Binyue PHEV is powered by a plug-in hybrid setup pairing a 1.5TD turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and a ternary lithium-ion battery pack. Its main technical highlight is Geely’s proprietary P2.5 hybrid architecture, an industry-first layout developed in-house over seven years. This setup integrates the electric motor directly within the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), with the electric motor governing the even gears while the internal combustion engine manages the odd gears to deliver seamless power blending. Compared to conventional P2 or P3 setups, the P2.5 architecture achieves an impressive peak transmission efficiency of 97% without increasing the powertrain footprint, executing seamless power handovers in just 0.6 seconds.

In terms of output, the 1.5TD engine delivers 130 kW (around 177 PS) and 255 Nm of torque on its own; once the electric drive motor kicks in, combined system output surges to a potent 190 kW (around 258 PS) and 415 Nm of peak torque. Channelling power through a 7DCTH wet dual-clutch hybrid transmission, the SUV completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest hybrid contenders in its category. Drivers can choose from five distinct drive modes: EV Pure Electric, ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, and SAVE (forced battery charging). Range-wise, the 2019 model is fitted with an 11.3 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery pack (energy density of 102.9 Wh/kg), delivering an NEDC-rated pure electric range of 62 km and an overall fuel consumption of 1.4 L/100 km; the 2022 facelift saw the battery capacity upsized to 15.5 kWh, pushing pure EV range up to 85 km while dropping fuel consumption to 1.2 L/100 km. Top speed is rated at 210 km/h, with WLTC combined fuel consumption recorded at 2.56 L/100 km and NEDC combined consumption reaching as low as 1.2 L/100 km. The entire range comes standard with 6.6 kW AC onboard charging, supporting both standard wallbox charging and a domestic 220V three-pin plug supply.

Chassis and Handling

The Binyue PHEV rides on a front-engine, front-wheel-drive monocoque platform. Its suspension setup comprises MacPherson struts up front and a rear torsion beam, matching the configuration of the standard petrol variant. Battery packaging is a standout engineering feat: rather than running flat across the underbody, the traction battery is configured in a T-shape within the transmission tunnel and beneath the rear bench, virtually eliminating any compromise on rear cabin legroom and boot space. The chassis setup leans on the firmer, sportier side, with the suspension delivering commendable body control to effectively resist body roll during high-speed cornering and quick lane-change manoeuvres. The electric power steering (EPS) is lightly weighted for effortless city driving, while stopping power is courtesy of ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, complete with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) as standard.

Cabin and Features

In-car tech is powered by the GKUI Smart Ecosystem, offering natural voice recognition, online navigation, connected car telematics, built-in apps, and a Wi-Fi hotspot for seamless daily connectivity. Standard equipment across the range includes a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), reverse camera, Auto Brake Hold, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry with push-start button, remote engine start, automatic headlamps, and follow-me-home lighting. For added comfort and convenience, it is equipped with a panoramic glass sunroof (tilt and slide front section), a 360-degree surround-view monitor with 3D display, rain-sensing wipers, a PM2.5 air filtration system, and ambient lighting. While dedicated rear air-conditioning vents are omitted, rear occupants still get a USB charging port and a handy storage cubby. Facelifted 2022-onwards models further upgraded the infotainment setup to a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and gained a T-BOX telematics system, allowing owners to remotely control key vehicle functions via a dedicated smartphone app.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Binyue PHEV makes a strong case in active safety with its suite of Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Utilizing a sensor fusion approach with millimetre-wave radar and cameras, its Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system enables full-speed adaptive cruise control and lane centering from 0 to 150 km/h. Standard baseline safety includes a latest-generation Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system integrating ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Traction Control. On the active safety front, it packs a segment-exclusive Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection (AEB-P) capable of identifying vehicles and pedestrians taller than 80 cm, assessing collision hazards up to two seconds in advance and bringing the car to a complete stop from relative speeds of under 40 km/h. Other active driver aids include Auto Parking Assist (APA with parallel/perpendicular entry and parallel exit), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC), and a 360-degree camera system. Structural integrity around the high-voltage battery has been thoroughly engineered to prevent pack intrusion or deformation during rear-end collisions. For peace of mind, the battery cells come with a lifetime warranty, alongside an 8-year/150,000 km warranty for key engine components.

Market Performance and Reception

Although the Binyue PHEV was an early trailblazer in the compact plug-in hybrid SUV space, its market sales uptake remained relatively niche. Across the broader Binyue lineup, petrol-powered variants continued to drive the bulk of volume—total Binyue series sales exceeded 133,888 units throughout 2025, maintaining a steady monthly run rate of around 10,000 units and consistently ranking near the top of its segment. While standalone sales figures for the PHEV variant were not broken out separately, it went head-to-head with rivals such as the BYD Yuan Pro and Neta U, leveraging its punchy 6.9-second century sprint and Level 2 ADAS suite to carve out a distinct performance and tech-led edge. Ownership feedback widely praised the instant off-the-line torque from the electric motor, the poised chassis dynamics, and its low running costs. On the flip side, some owners noted that the rear torsion beam setup can feel slightly harsh over broken tarmac, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels could be further ironed out when the petrol engine kicks in under low state-of-charge (SOC) conditions. Nevertheless, as the first plug-in hybrid SUV developed on Geely’s BMA platform, the Binyue PHEV retains a unique appeal in the electrified SUV space courtesy of its innovative P2.5 hybrid architecture and versatile "best-of-both-worlds" proposition.