2019 Geely Emgrand GT 2.4-6AT Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's B-segment car market has become increasingly fierce, with consumer demands for space, features, and value-for-money continuously rising. As Geely's flagship model in this segment, the 2019 Emgrand GT 2.4-6AT highlights its extended wheelbase and rich configurations as core selling points. Can it secure a foothold among its joint-venture competitors? This test will provide a comprehensive analysis from static design and dynamic performance to daily usability, offering insights for prospective buyers.

In terms of exterior design, the Emgrand GT 2.4-6AT adopts an overall streamlined design. The front end features a large trapezoidal grille filled with chrome accents, complemented by sharp LED headlight clusters on both sides, delivering high recognition. The side profile showcases smooth lines, with a character line that extends from the front fender to the rear, enhancing the muscularity. The 17-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels further elevate the sporty appeal. At the rear, the full-width LED taillights display an eye-catching effect when illuminated at night, while the dual exhaust setup echoes its B-segment positioning.

Inside the cabin, the interior adopts a symmetrical dashboard design, with a predominantly black color scheme accented by silver trim pieces. The top of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch material, offering a refined tactile feel that aligns with the standards of this segment. In terms of key configurations, it features a 12.3-inch floating central control screen supporting Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto connections, with smooth operational performance. The instrument cluster includes traditional mechanical dials along with a 7-inch digital display, clearly presenting information such as speed and fuel consumption. Seats are wrapped in leather, with the front seats supporting electric adjustments. The backrests and cushions provide moderate support, ensuring passenger comfort during long journeys.

Space performance is a significant advantage of the Emgrand GT. With a length of 4956mm and a wheelbase of 2850mm, it ranks among the top in its class. The front row offers headroom of about one fist and two fingers, while the rear legroom can reach over two fists, ensuring ample space even for passengers up to 180cm tall. For storage, the central armrest in the front has a large compartment for daily items, and the door pockets can accommodate two bottles of mineral water. The trunk has a capacity of 506 liters, with a well-organized space. Folding down the rear seats can further expand the loading capacity. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, enhancing passenger comfort.

Regarding the powertrain, the Emgrand GT 2.4-6AT is equipped with a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum output of 158PS and a peak torque of 215N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the power output is smooth at the start, with torque beginning to gradually release after reaching 2000rpm. Power response is timely during low-to-medium-speed driving, meeting the needs of daily city commuting. At highway speeds, overtaking requires revving above 4000rpm, where the power reserve feels slightly inadequate. However, the transmission offers clear shifting logic, and downshifts are relatively proactive. The driving modes include Eco, Standard, and Sport. In sport mode, throttle response becomes slightly quicker, though the overall difference is not significant.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the steering wheel has moderate steering effort, minimal slack, and decent precision. The suspension system adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, effectively filtering out minor bumps on the road. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the body movement is not significant, maintaining good comfort. However, during high-speed cornering, body roll is quite noticeable, and the suspension support is average, making it more suitable for stable driving.

In terms of fuel consumption, actual tests showed that in urban congested road conditions, the fuel consumption is about 10.5L per 100 kilometers; on highways, it drops to about 7.8L, with a combined fuel consumption of about 9.2L/100km, which is close to the officially stated 9L/100km figure. The fuel economy is moderate compared to similar models of the same class. For braking performance, the braking distance from 100km/h to a stop is around 41 meters, aligning with typical performance for this segment.

Regarding driving comfort, the noise control of the Emgrand GT performs decently. At speeds below 60km/h, wind and tire noise are not noticeable; when the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise gradually enters the cabin but does not affect normal conversations. The seat padding is moderately soft, providing good lumbar support, ensuring comfort for long-distance travel.

Overall, the 2019 Emgrand GT 2.4-6AT's core advantages lie in the spaciousness brought by its class-leading wheelbase, its abundant smart configurations, and its relatively affordable price (compared to similar class joint-venture models). Compared to competitors like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, it offers more advantages in space and features. However, it lags slightly in brand influence and power reserves.

This car is suitable for family users who value practicality and rich features, especially those who frequently travel with a full load of family members. The 2850mm wheelbase ensures the comfort of rear seat passengers, while the 506L trunk capacity meets daily shopping or short-trip loading needs. Additionally, its relatively stable driving characteristics and moderate fuel consumption make it a good choice as a daily commuting vehicle.

All in all, the 2019 Emgrand GT 2.4-6AT is a B-class car that focuses on space and features as its main selling points, with an outstanding price-to-performance ratio in its class. Although the performance is average, it is entirely sufficient for daily use, making it suitable for family users seeking a balanced and practical option.