2019 Geely Emgrand X7 1.8L+5MT Review

The compact SUV market has always been one of the top choices for Malaysian family users. This type of vehicle needs to strike a balance between space, practicality, and cost-effectiveness, and the 2019 Geely Emgrand X7 1.8L+5MT is designed to meet such demands. As a family-oriented model, its core selling points include its class-leading wheelbase, comfort provided by the independent suspension, and its budget-friendly price positioning. But do these features truly appeal to pragmatic consumers? We conducted a test drive to evaluate its real-world performance in daily use.

From the exterior, the design of the Emgrand X7 leans towards a steady and mature appearance without excessive fancy elements. The front features the brand’s signature grille design, accented with chrome trims, giving it decent recognition. The body lines are relatively straight, and while the waistline extending from the front to the rear isn’t particularly sharp, it adds some layering. The rear design is conventional, with horizontally-arranged tail lights that align with the vehicle's width, offering a clear effect when lit up. In terms of lighting, the front headlamps utilize halogen light sources, which, although average in brightness, are sufficient for urban commutes; the tail lamps adopt LED light sources, improving safety during nighttime driving. The overall exterior presents a "pleasant-looking" style, suitable for users who prioritize practicality over individuality.

Stepping inside, the interior adheres to a simple aesthetic with a symmetric central console design and clear layout. Regarding materials, the upper part of the dashboard uses hard plastic, but the detailing is decently handled without a noticeable cheap feel. For main features, the central console is equipped with an 8-inch touch screen, supporting Bluetooth connectivity and phone mirroring functionality, with acceptable operational smoothness. The seats are made of fabric material and provide good support. The driver's seat offers manual adjustment, while the passenger seat is fixed. The air conditioning controls are physical buttons, and the knobs have moderate resistance, making them convenient for blind operations. It is worth mentioning that the car's interior storage space is fairly ample; door panel compartments can hold two bottles of water, and the central armrest box and glove compartment provide adequate capacity for daily needs.

Space performance is a major highlight of the Emgrand X7. The vehicle dimensions are 4500mm × 1834mm × 1707mm, with a wheelbase of 2661mm—making its wheelbase above the average level among vehicles of the same class. The front row offers ample space, and for a passenger standing 175 cm tall, a fist's worth of headroom remains. The rear seat space is even more surprising; a passenger of the same height sitting in the back has more than two fists of legroom, ensuring comfort even during long rides. However, it’s worth noting that this model seats only four, as the middle seat in the back doesn't feature a headrest or seatbelt, making it more suitable for a family of four. In terms of storage, the trunk has a standard capacity of 464L, which can be expanded to 1150L by folding down the rear seats, easily accommodating large items like strollers and suitcases. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, which adds to the practicality.

For performance, the Emgrand X7 is powered by a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 131PS and peak torque of 170N·m, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. During actual driving, the power output at the start is relatively gentle, without a strong surge, but thanks to the advantage of the manual transmission, gear transitions are fairly smooth. When driving in city traffic, shifting gears around 2000 RPM ensures sufficient power, while overtaking requires revving up to over 3000 RPM, at which point the engine becomes more responsive. On highways, after reaching a speed of 100 km/h, the acceleration capability diminishes slightly, but it still meets the needs of daily commuting and highway cruising.

The handling and chassis performance are strong points of the Emgrand X7. The combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is uncommon in vehicles of the same class. When tackling bumpy roads, the suspension can filter out most small vibrations, and the performance over speed bumps is relatively smooth without a rigid impact. The steering wheel has moderate turning resistance with minimal play; it feels light during daily driving and becomes slightly heavier at high speeds, ensuring good stability. When cornering, body roll is kept within a reasonable range without noticeable swaying, giving adequate confidence to the driver.

In terms of fuel consumption, we conducted practical tests: during city driving, the fuel consumption is approximately 9.5L/100km; on highways, it drops to about 7.2L/100km, with an overall average of roughly 8.3L/100km, which aligns closely with the official figure of 8.2L/100km. The performance is fairly standard. Regarding braking performance, the combination of front ventilated discs and rear ventilated discs ensures responsive braking. The braking force is released linearly when the brake pedal is pressed, without any obvious "nosedive" phenomena, making daily driving very safe.

In terms of driving comfort, noise control is done well. On urban roads, engine noise and tire noise are barely noticeable inside the cabin; on highways, wind noise becomes slightly more apparent but remains within an acceptable range. Seat comfort is decent, with the fabric material offering good breathability, ensuring that prolonged sitting does not feel stuffy. The manual transmission has an appropriate shifting stroke and clear gear positions, making it easy for even new drivers to adapt quickly.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2019 Emgrand X7 1.8L+5MT include spacious rear seating, the comfort brought by independent suspension, and practical configurations. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Proton X50, it has a longer wheelbase and offers more rear seat space, although it falls slightly behind in terms of power and smart features. Compared to the Perodua Aruz, it offers better suspension comfort and is more suitable for urban road driving. Overall, this car is more suitable for families of four who value space and comfort or for budget-conscious users seeking a reliable family car.

If you're someone who doesn't prioritize performance but cares more about the comfort and practical experience for your family, the Emgrand X7 1.8L+5MT could be a good choice—it doesn't stand out in any particular area, but it also doesn't have significant shortcomings, making it a "sufficient and practical" family SUV.