2019 Geely Emgrand GL 1.4T+6DCT Review

In recent years, competition in Malaysia's compact sedan market has become increasingly intense. Many brands are attracting family users who value practicality and cost-effectiveness through configuration upgrades and power optimizations. The 2019 Geely Emgrand GL 1.4T+6DCT has become a popular choice in this segment, garnering significant attention with its class-leading wheelbase, large trunk capacity, and balanced power performance. In this test drive, we focused on experiencing its spacious practicality, everyday driving comfort, and fuel efficiency to see whether it meets the core needs of family users.

From the exterior, the overall style of the Emgrand GL leans towards being stable, while incorporating some youthful elements. The front features a large shield-shaped grille adorned with chrome decorations, giving it a distinctive visual identity. The headlights on both sides connect seamlessly to the grille and are equipped with halogen lights. Though it lacks LED headlights, the illumination is sufficient for daily use. The side profile is smooth, with a length of 4725mm and a wheelbase of 2700mm, giving the side a sleek proportion. The 17-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels further enhance the sophistication of its side appearance. The rear design is simple, with horizontally arranged taillights connected by a chrome strip in the middle. The hidden exhaust layout at the bottom maintains the integrity of the tail section. While the design isn’t particularly stunning, it aligns with the aesthetic preferences of most family users.

Stepping inside, the interior style of the Emgrand GL focuses on practicality and comfort. The dashboard is covered with soft-touch materials and decorated with silver trim, offering a decent tactile feel. The central control area comes with an 8-inch touchscreen that supports Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone mirroring, ensuring smooth operations for convenient daily use. Physical buttons are retained below, mainly for controlling the air conditioning system, which is handy for blind operations. The seats are wrapped in faux leather materials, with manually adjustable front seats. The cushioning and support are moderate, making long drives relatively comfortable. Space is a major highlight of the Emgrand GL. The 2700mm wheelbase provides generous rear legroom; a passenger with a height of 180cm has about two fists of distance between their knees and the front seatback, and about one fist of headroom, making it comfortable even for three rear passengers. In terms of storage, the front door panel compartments, center armrest box, and cup holders all offer considerable capacity. The trunk has a volume of 680L, enough to hold three 20-inch suitcases, fully meeting the storage needs for family trips. Additionally, the rear seats support a split-folding function, allowing the storage space to be further expanded, which enhances its practicality.

In terms of power, the Emgrand GL is equipped with a 1.4T naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum power of 133PS and a maximum torque of 185N·m, paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The power response is quite brisk during startup; even light pressure on the accelerator can deliver decent acceleration, making it easy to follow traffic or overtake in urban conditions. While mid-to-high speed acceleration is not exceptionally strong, the acceleration capability under 100km/h basically meets daily usage demands. The transmission's gear-shifting logic is fairly clear, with smooth gear transitions during normal driving. However, there may be slight jerks during low-speed frequent shifting. The driving modes include both Eco and Sport options. Switching to Sport mode makes the throttle response more sensitive, suitable for situations requiring quick acceleration.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the Emgrand GL adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. During daily driving, the suspension effectively filters out minor bumps on the road. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the sense of body jolts is not too strong, maintaining a decent level of comfort. However, during quick cornering, the suspension support is slightly insufficient, and the body roll is more noticeable, making it more suitable for steady driving. The steering wheel has moderate steering effort and decent directional accuracy, making daily handling relatively easy. In terms of fuel economy, the official combined fuel consumption is 5.9L/100km. In our tests, driving half the mileage in urban congested conditions and the other half on highways, the actual combined fuel consumption was about 6.8L/100km. For a compact sedan with a 2700mm wheelbase, this fuel consumption performance ranks slightly above average within its class. Additionally, the 60L fuel tank capacity ensures decent driving range.

In terms of ride comfort, the Emgrand GL performs commendably. Noise control within the cabin is quite good, with wind and tire noise being negligible at speeds below 80km/h. However, wind noise increases slightly at speeds exceeding 100km/h, although it does not affect normal communication among passengers. The seat cushions are relatively soft, and the rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, further enhancing the comfort for rear passengers. However, it is worth noting that the Emgrand GL's minimum ground clearance is only 120mm, so extra care is needed to slow down when driving on rough roads or over speed bumps to avoid scraping the undercarriage.

In summary, the 2019 Geely Emgrand GL 1.4T+6DCT's core strengths lie in its class-leading interior space, practical features, and balanced fuel economy. Compared to its competitors in the same class, it has a superior wheelbase and trunk capacity, making it suitable for family usage. Although its power output is not particularly strong, it offers sufficient smoothness for daily driving, and the fuel economy can help reduce long-term operating costs. However, it does have some drawbacks, such as the lack of LED headlights and the absence of adjustable recline angles for the rear seats. Overall, this car is more suitable for family users who prioritize spacious practicality and fuel efficiency. It meets the needs of daily commuting and family outings, especially for consumers who frequently travel with a full load or go on long road trips.