Geely Cityray EXPOSED! In-depth Review

Geely has recently expanded its lineup in the UAE by introducing the Geely Cityray. The Cityray is a compact SUV with a very affordable price tag. But is it worth buying an Affordable Chinese SUV? Let’s find out as we review the exterior, interior, performance, and safety of this car. 

Geely

​Geely is setting a new benchmark in the UAE automotive market by delivering high-tech, premium-feel vehicles at affordable prices. Models like the Cityray offer advanced features, such as digital cockpits, ADAS safety systems, and hybrid-ready platforms, at entry-level luxury prices. 

This disrupts the status quo, challenging established players to match Geely’s value proposition.​ Their partnership with AGMC ensures strong after-sales support, while extended warranties and financing options build consumer trust. 

By blending innovation, affordability, and reliability, Geely is redefining what UAE buyers expect from a car, forcing the market to evolve or fall behind.​

An Affordable Cupra?

From the looks of it, the Geely Cityray looks like an affordable Cupra. The designer really put in some work, which isn’t the case for most affordable Chinese cars. Mainly, vehicles like this offer everything except an aesthetically pleasing exterior. 

However, the Cityray has a very exotic, aggressive, and futuristic look. The four available colors include white, silver, blue, and grey. The body is finished in a two-tone paint scheme, with the top of the car in glossy black. 

You get a huge grille finished in Piano black, so it doesn’t feel like a relatively “not very affordable” car. The stylish, aurora-inspired LED headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs) enhance the car’s visual appeal. The car sits on 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, which resemble the design of the Peugeot 2008. 

On the back, you get starburst LED taillights, which are equally as pleasing as the headlights. With a smaller engine, the quad exhausts on the back not only enhance the sound but also improve the overall rear look. 

Trims and Pricing

The Cityray comes in three variants, with prices starting at AED 86,500:

• Cityray GC is worth AED 86,500
• Cityray GK is worth AED 91,500
• Cityray GF+ is worth AED 97,900

There were concerns about the Geely Cityray’s reliability, as it is relatively new to the market. There are few to almost no reviews about the car, and that makes it difficult for potential customers to decide. But that’s why you follow the Arabwheels Blog to be the first to know everything about the Cityray. 

Geely officials have responded to these concerns by offering limited-time Ramadan offers, including 0% financing for up to 3 years and a 7-year/250,000 km warranty. Additionally, Geely is offering free registration, tinting, and a service contract, among other perks, until the end of April. 

You can book the Geely Cityray here, as deliveries are starting soon. 

Powerhouse or Powermouse?

A 1.5-liter powers the Geely Cityray turbocharged Inline-4 engine, which is underpowered. However, the car weighs only 1432 kg, so it not only feels adequately powered but also nimble. Fuel efficiency is one of the car’s prized features, as it achieves 15.9 km/l in the city. 

Specs	Geely Cityray
Engine	Inline-4
Forced Induction	Turbocharged
Displacement	1500cc
Transmission	7 DCT
Drivetrain	FWD
Power	174 hp
Torque	290 Nm
0-100 km/h	8.9 seconds
Fuel Economy	15.9 km/l
Weight	1,432 kg

 

The drivetrain is where Geely saved money by not offering AWD. Nevertheless, the DCT makes up for it. A 0-100 km/h time of 8.9 seconds is not quick. However, considering its price, displacement, and drivetrain, this time is reasonable for a compact family SUV. 

Sophisticated Cabin

Climbing inside the cabin, the first thing you’ll notice is the 13.2” central screen. It’s not just any regular screen; it’s a 2k resolution display with vivid colors, crystal clarity, and anti-glare technology. There are almost no physical buttons, as everything is controlled through the massive central screen. 

A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster is there, containing all the information the driver needs. You get not one, but two, 15w wireless charging pads on the sophisticated piano black center console. You can choose between artificial leather seats and PVC leather seats, which explains its affordability. 

Thankfully, you have a clear panoramic sunroof, 72-color ambient lighting, and rear air conditioning vents. 

 

Safety and Technology

First off, the six airbags are a solid start. You’re covered from front to back, which is comforting. ABS and EBD? Standard, as they should be in 2025. No medals for meeting basic expectations, though. The Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) worked fine in slow traffic. 

We didn’t try to crash it, so that’s a plus. Intelligent Cruise Control adjusts the speed based on traffic, which is helpful on Sheikh Zayed Road. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is precise. Saves you from dodgy lane changers. It should be on every car, honestly.

Now here’s a miss: no Heads-Up Display (HUD). Come on, Geely, that’s a tech box you should’ve ticked.

Lane Departure Assist doesn’t nag, just nudges gently. It’s subtle, not annoying, which we liked. Lane Change Assist works fine, but combine it with human logic—don’t just trust the beep.

The 540° HD panoramic camera is sweet. Feels like drone footage from your roof. Parking is a joke now.

Parking sensors do the job. No false alarms, but they could’ve been a bit more precise at low speeds. Geely nailed a lot of things here, especially for the price bracket. But no HUD in 2025? Bit of a letdown. Still, if you’re into smart safety and clever tech, this one punches above its weight.

Geely Cityray Competitors

• Changan Uni-T

Let’s talk about the Changan Uni-T first. It’s got that spaceship look, but some bits feel gimmicky. Interior screens are cool, but the software is a little clunky compared to Cityray’s slicker UI. Power delivery’s alright, but you’ll notice turbo lag when you floor it—just saying.

• MG HS

Solid cabin, comfy seats, and decent space. But compared to Cityray, the HS’s safety tech feels like last year’s model. Drive feel is more refined in the MG, but it’s not as loaded feature-wise.

• Haval Jolion

Then there’s the Haval Jolion! Big on space, but heavy on chrome, so unless you are an American Hip Hop artist, you won’t look cool. Interior tech’s nice, but the layout’s kinda dated next to Cityray’s cockpit. Performance is smooth, but not sporty, so don’t expect any thrills.

 

Conclusion

So, is the Geely Cityray worth your money? That depends on what ticks your boxes. It’s packed with features, looks aggressive, and nails the “techy compact SUV” vibe pretty hard. But let’s not pretend it’s flawless—no AWD, no HUD, and some bits feel cost-cut.

Still, for the price, it offers more than you’d expect, and then some. Geely clearly wants to stir things up, and it has. Whether it’s your next car or not, one thing’s clear: Cityray just raised the bar for budget SUVs in the UAE. Thanks for reading till the end. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.