By thatcar.co.za
Another small crossover is on its way to South Africa, and this segment is becoming seriously competitive.
I mean, off the top of my head, I can think of at least five more.
What’s actually more frustrating is that they all seem to look the same.
Until…
Coolray.
What is it?
The all-new Geely Coolray is a compact SUV designed to challenge expectations and inject some genuine excitement into one of South Africa’s most competitive vehicle segments.
It has a squarish, bold design — and remember, we like square in our cars.
The main aim of the Geely Coolray is to be bold.
As in: stand out from the usual.
Did they succeed?
We think so.
Albeit, it’s not dramatically different, but it certainly has some attitude.
Engine
So, what’s uncool is having a bold design with an engine that doesn’t complement it.
The Coolray, however, has this covered.
It is powered by Geely’s advanced 1.5-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine, developed to deliver an impressive balance of performance and efficiency.
The four-cylinder powerplant produces 128 kW at 5,500 rpm and a substantial 290 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm.
It can sprint from 0–100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds, positioning the Coolray among the more capable vehicles in its segment.
Not bad for a small SUV.
Technology and Safety
Inside, the Coolray gets a 14.6-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen that serves as the central hub for connectivity, entertainment and vehicle information.
Complementing this is an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, which presents key driving information in a clear and intuitive format.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come standard across the range, ensuring seamless smartphone integration.
Bluetooth connectivity and multiple USB ports are also included.
Safety
Standard safety features include:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Traction Control
- Hill Hold Control
- Hill Descent Control
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring
- ISOFIX child-seat anchor points
Higher-specification derivatives introduce additional passive safety systems and advanced driver-assistance technologies.
The Vanguard and Vertex models feature six airbags, while the flagship Vertex offers a Level 1 ADAS package.
This includes:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Intelligent High Beam Control
- Traffic Jam Assist
Price
The all-new Geely Coolray is available in three derivatives:
- Coolray 1.5TD 7DCT Nova – R369,900
- Coolray 1.5TD 7DCT Vanguard – R399,900
- Coolray 1.5TD 7DCT Vertex – R429,900
All prices include VAT and are backed by Geely Care+, comprising a 5-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, 5-year/150,000 km engine warranty, 5-year/50,000 km service plan and 5-year unlimited roadside assistance.
Verdict
On paper, it looks bold and sounds impressive.
Geely certainly isn’t playing Cool with its competitors.
Now we just need to drive it and see if the Coolray can walk the walk.
