Appearance Geely Coolray on the Russian market became a real event that divided car enthusiasts into two camps: those who immediately fell in love with the daring design, and skeptics who were distrustful of the Chinese automobile industry. This crossover, known in China as Geely Binyue, was created in collaboration with Volvo, which initially set a high bar of expectations. Drivers were looking for European build quality, but at a price accessible to the mass buyer.
In real operating conditions, the car behaves ambiguously, which is confirmed by numerous forums and communities of owners. Some praise the acceleration dynamics and rich equipment, others complain about the nuances of operation robotic box and suspension tuning features. To understand whether this car is worth your money, you need to discard marketing slogans and turn to dry facts based on the experience of those who have already driven several tens of thousands of kilometers on the Coolrey.
In this review, we will analyze in detail the technical aspects, reliability of units and subjective driving sensations, based on statistics of calls to services and reviews of real users. A critical factor when purchasing a used one is to check the engine control unit's software update history. It is software failures that often cause strange vehicle behaviors that are not associated with mechanical failures.
Acceleration dynamics and power unit operation
The heart of the car is a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine, developed jointly with Volvo. Owners often note that the nameplate 150 horsepower feels even brighter than on paper. The lightness of the body and excellent traction at low speeds allow you to feel confident in city traffic. However, the three-cylinder circuit has its own characteristics, which are noticeable when carefully listening to the operation of the engine.
At idle speed, vibration characteristic of such engines may be observed, which is transmitted to the steering wheel and body. Many drivers get used to this within a week, but some consider it a significant lack of comfort. In this case, as soon as you release the brake pedal and start moving, turbine It quickly comes up to boost, and the car takes off with pleasant acceleration.
Acceleration to hundreds takes about 8 seconds, which is an excellent indicator for a compact crossover. The engine is responsive, but requires high-quality fuel. Owners with extensive experience recommend using exclusively gasoline AI-95 or AI-98, since low-octane fuel may cause detonation and loss of power.
It is worth noting that engine life largely depends on warming up. In winter, the engine takes a little longer to reach operating temperature than its atmospheric counterparts. If you plan on active driving, monitor the oil temperature and avoid overheating, although the cooling system copes with its task adequately even in the heat.
Transmission: 7DCT features and behavior in traffic jams
The engine is paired with a 7-speed robotic gearbox with two wet clutches. This technical solution raises the most questions among potential buyers. When driving, the box behaves efficiently, shifts are almost imperceptible, and in sports mode they even add excitement due to the speed of gear changes.
However, in dense city traffic, nuances may arise. When driving at low speeds, when the car is constantly jerking in start-stop mode, the robot may exhibit hesitation or slight jerking. This is not a malfunction, but rather a feature of the operation. switching algorithmswho are trying to save clutch life.
- 🚗 In “Comfort” mode, shifts occur smoothly, but with a slight delay when you press the gas sharply.
- 🏎️ “Sport” mode keeps the speed higher, making the response to the accelerator pedal sharper.
- 🛑 When you come to a complete stop, sometimes you feel a slight jolt, which is typical for robots of this type.
The secret of gearbox adaptation
If the box behaves strangely, try the adaptation procedure. To do this, turn off the engine, wait 2 minutes, then start and stand still for 30 seconds without touching the pedals. After this, drive 5-10 km in a quiet mode, gradually accelerating and braking.
The service life of wet clutches is significantly higher than that of dry counterparts, and during normal operation they last more than 150,000 km. The main rule for extending the life of the transmission is not to keep the car on a slope only due to the operation of the box (always use the handbrake) and let it warm up in the winter before active driving.
Fuel consumption: myths and reality
The issue of fuel appetite is acute, given the presence of a turbine and the relatively small engine size. Official data speaks of 6-7 liters in the combined cycle, but reality makes its own adjustments. Drivers who use their car primarily in the city often record figures higher than stated.
Average consumption in city mode with traffic jams is about 9-10 liters per 100 km. If your driving style is aggressive, with frequent acceleration to the cutoff, consumption can easily increase to 11-12 liters. On the highway at a speed of 100-110 km/h the car shows excellent efficiency, consuming only 6.5-7 liters.
| Riding mode | Average speed | Actual consumption (l/100 km) | Driving style |
|---|---|---|---|
| City (traffic) | 25 km/h | 10.5 - 11.5 | Mixed |
| City (vacant) | 45 km/h | 8.0 - 9.0 | Calm |
| Route | 110 km/h | 6.5 - 7.0 | Cruising |
| Mixed | 40 km/h | 8.5 - 9.5 | Active |
It is important to understand that a small engine with a turbine requires more frequent refueling, but also gives emotions that are inaccessible to naturally aspirated engines. To reduce consumption, many drivers switch to ECO, which programmatically “strangles” the gas pedal, making the response less sharp.
To accurately measure fuel consumption, use the cut-off to cut-off method at the same gas station. The on-board computer may show average data that does not always reflect the real picture.
Suspension, handling and comfort
Geely Coolray is built on a platform BMA, which provides good body rigidity. The suspension is tuned more for a sporty feel than for softly absorbing bumps. Drivers note excellent handling: the car clearly follows the steering wheel, roll in corners is minimal, which is rare for the class of compact crossovers.
However, the other side of the coin is rigidity. On broken asphalt or ridges, the suspension transmits quite a lot of information about the condition of the road to the cabin. Passengers in the rear row may feel discomfort when driving over large bumps, especially if the car is not fully loaded.
⚠️ Attention: When buying a car, be sure to check the condition of the silent blocks of the levers and stabilizer support bushings. On early runs (up to 30,000 km), these elements may require replacement due to sensitivity to road quality.
Sound insulation in the car is rated by the owners as good for its class. Engine and transmission noise barely penetrates the cabin at low speeds. Aerodynamic noise on the highway appears only after 130 km/h, which indicates the high-quality work of the body by the engineers.
Electronics, multimedia and typical "glitches"
The car's interior is crammed with electronics, which is both a plus and a minus. Large touch screen, digital instrument panel, head-up display - it all looks modern. But it is the software that often becomes the source of problems that owners face.
The most common complaints are related to spontaneous rebooting of the multimedia system, “freezing” of the viewing cameras or erroneous sensor readings. Often solved by updating the firmware from an official dealer. Tampering with the software yourself may void the warranty.
- 📱 The voice control system does not always understand commands correctly, especially if you speak quickly.
- 🔌 The Bluetooth connection sometimes breaks when there is an incoming call, requiring re-pairing.
- 📺 The 360 degree camera may cause image delay when reversing.
☑️ Checking electronics before buying used
Nevertheless, the functionality of the system pleasantly surprises. The presence of a built-in DVR that records video on a flash drive, and the ability to control some vehicle functions via a smartphone make operation more convenient. The main thing is to keep the software up to date.
Reliability and service: what servicemen say
The car requires compliance with maintenance regulations. Oil change intervals are 10,000 km, but in urban use, experienced mechanics recommend reducing them to 7-8 thousand kilometers. This is especially true for a turbocharged engine that is subject to high temperature loads.
The car body has a high-quality anti-corrosion coating. Even after several years of operation, owners rarely complain about the appearance of “saffron marks” or corrosion if there has been no mechanical damage to the paintwork. Galvanization of body panels is performed at a high level.
⚠️ Attention: Do not ignore checking the antifreeze level. In some cases, its gradual disappearance was observed without visible smudges, which may indicate microcracks in the pipes or problems with the pump.
Spare parts for Geely Coolray are becoming more and more available on the market. Consumables (filters, pads) cost reasonable money and are often unified with other models of the concern. Difficulties can only arise with body parts in the event of an accident, the delivery time for which can be long.
Geely Coolray is a modern car with excellent design and dynamics, but it requires careful attention to maintenance and fuel quality.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it true that the Volvo engine has a huge resource?
The engine was developed with the participation of Volvo engineers, but it is produced at Geely factories. This is a modern, forced design. The resource with proper maintenance is 200-250 thousand km, but calling it a “millionaire” would be an exaggeration. It requires high-quality oil and fuel.
Is it worth taking a Coolray with a mileage of more than 100,000 km?
Buying a car with such mileage is a lottery. By this time, suspension elements may require replacement, possibly the clutch in the robot and the turbine. A thorough diagnosis of the engine for oil leaks and a check of the service history are required.
How does a car behave in winter when it's -30 degrees below zero?
The car starts confidently in cold weather down to -25...-30 degrees with a working battery. Warming up the engine and gearbox takes longer than with naturally aspirated vehicles. The seats and steering wheel heat up quickly, which compensates for the cold in the cabin in the first minutes.
Are there any liquidity problems when selling?
Geely Coolray is in stable demand in the secondary market due to its bright appearance and good dynamics. The model has high liquidity, especially for copies in good condition and with a transparent service history.