Subcompact SUV’s is a crowded segment but there is a neat trick to stand out in that crowd: play the Chinese card and pack it with features from two notches up, spike the design and flash the value card. Geely Coolray got it right the first time but now they are wooing us with a midcycle refresh—but it fails to impress us any further, simply because we already are! Baffled? Pick up the thread.
We, the privileged people
While many markets are celebrating the ‘uplift’ with a new 1.5 T 4-cylinder engine, an energetic façade and an extra inch of wheel size, turns out that we had all those already. So, as far as GCC goes, what’s new among the Geely Coolray features are a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a simple but clever pair of extra-large sun visors that are transparent until half-way.
Ironically, some positive changes have come from a few deletions. The disappearance of the paddle shifters has cleaned up some space on the wheel. The conversion of the dual exhausts to fakes will save some expensive repair in the unfortunate event of getting rear-ended. And dropping the automatic park assist will… well, won’t make much of a difference I guess!
Exterior looks
Dimensions: 4380 x 1810 x 1615 mm | Wheelbase 2600
Wheel sizes: 17” and 18”
Urban aesthetics and sporty touches rule the design concept of Geely Coolray. It might take a hard second look to catch the changes in the bumpers or grille, but there is no point splitting hair about an already good-looking façade. The honey combed grille gives way to a more contemporary, sleeker façade—and I still like the sporty shark-fin spoiler on the roof!
The colour of my test car announced to the world that I was driving the top trim (GF+), because it is the only thing that sets the GF+ apart from the GF. Geely calls it Gradient Grey—the dual tone finish appears grey or pink, depending on how the sunset glows on the car or the angle you choose to look. Bragging rights costs just AED 1500 more than the mid trim.
Interior comfort
Geely Coolray flaunts stylish sport-style seats—with an edgy leather-look though they are PVC—along with an armrest. The driver gets 6-way power seats except in the base trim but the front passenger has to be content with manual moves.
There is ample space for five in this cabin, not overlooking the squeeze around the rear AC vents. Geely Coolray doesn’t come with dual zone temperature setting but a rapid cooling button drops temp and maxes out the blower for an exceptionally hot Dubai summer afternoon. In winters, you can enjoy a skyful of openness with a panoramic sunroof.
Storage in the cabin is thoughtfully allocated. The console deck cupholder space has splitters and slots – I used them to keep my wallet in the middle. The boot is a useful 330L with a convenient tool deck below the floor, and a spare tyre under it!
Cabin tech
The new 14.6” screen is the centre-piece but some passengers might find its standing tall a slight hindrance to their view forward. Enjoyable music with 6-speakers comes as standard with a choice of preset equalizer settings – Pop, rock, jazz and so on. The radio set up can’t be called ‘intuitive’—even though the scan and individual selection of radio stations work, their operation is somewhat layered.
Tech for convenience include one wireless charging space on the console deck with space for a second mobile; 7 charging ports; and mirror link to reflect your mobile screen. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are available through wired connection in the new Coolray.
The upper trims come with power tailgate; ambient lighting and automatic window closure using the remote when locking the car.
The Drive
Geely Coolray 2026 is driven by a 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo generating 172 hp and 290 Nm torque, that can cannonball this pocket-sized crossover from 0 – 100 in 7.6 seconds. There is a turbo lag but it wasn’t really noticeable except when we were five of us in the compact Coolray!
The drivetrain is completed by a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox which shifts smooth enough and provides decent fuel economy. My test economy of 13.9 km per litre (7.2 L for 100 km) meant more than 700 km on the 51L tank.
Four drive modes: Economy, Sport, Comfort and Adaptive (adjusts as per your driving style)
The top speed is 195 kmph for the records but practically speaking, this urban compact car stays stable at highway speeds on the open road. And yes, urban is a keyword – sand tracking or going off the road not recommended.
Ground clearance: 180 mm | Turning radius: 5.5 m | Braking distance: 36.87 m at 100kmph
Safety
There used to be a time when 6 airbags meant the edge of imaginable safety. Now, it is taken for granted in top trims and the fact that the GL trim of Geely Coolray gets only two airbags gives us the right to sulk! The camera goes beyond 360-degrees to offer transparent chassis view and advanced avoidance take priority with dozens of driver assistance systems. Design-wise, the A pillar remains continuous with the side window mount, adding to its thickness, even though there was no significant obstruction to the view while cornering.
6 airbags: Driver + passenger + side + curtain
ADAS: Intelligent Cruise Assist, Lane Change Assist + Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist + Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Mitigation Support in the rear + Intelligent high beam control
Base trim: Hill descent control + Auto hold + Cruise Control + TPMS
The essential Geely Coolray 2026
Coolray is an almost instantly likeable compact SUV for five with generous space, ample power, driving fun and fuel economy. The car has a great list of features available in the upper trims but not in the base GL trim – which looks like it is specked for rental and corporate fleets.
AED 14,400 more than Base trim can get you: panoramic sunroof, sporty spoiler, electric tailgate, 6 airbags, All round camera, Advanced Driver Assistance, front seat ventilation and ambient lighting. Geely Coolray comes with a bumper to bumper 7 years/250,000 km warranty and the three trims are priced at AED 74,900, 89,300 and 90,800.
