2019 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport 2.4L+6AT(2WD) Review

The compact SUV market has been gaining popularity among family users in recent years. This type of vehicle needs to meet the flexibility required for daily commuting while also catering to the practicality of weekend outings. The 2019 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport 2.4L+6AT 2WD version is specifically designed to meet such demands. As the brand's main model in this market segment, it focuses on balanced space performance and rich configurations. At the same time, the combination of the 2.4L naturally aspirated engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission aims to balance power smoothness and fuel economy. In this test drive, we will focus on verifying whether its actual driving and riding experience meets the core needs of a family SUV, and whether its features and space performance make it stand out in its class.

In terms of appearance, this car adopts a stable yet slightly sporty design style. The front features a large-sized horizontal grille, with chrome trim around its edges, paired with sharp-looking halogen headlights on both sides, giving it a good recognition factor. The lower front bumper includes black plastic cladding and a silver skid plate, enhancing the rugged SUV feel. The side profile showcases smooth lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, adding some character to the side view. The 17-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels are also fairly pleasing to the eye. The protective strip at the bottom of the doors is also decorated with chrome, enhancing the attention to detail. At the rear, the taillights have a horizontal layout with clear internal light strip structures, delivering a decent effect when lit. The rear bumper echoes the front design, also featuring silver skid plates and black cladding, maintaining an overall coordinated design that aligns with the aesthetic positioning of family SUVs.

Sitting inside, the interior design leans towards simplicity and practicality. The dashboard has a symmetrical layout, with soft-touch materials covering the top, which, though not genuine leather, feels relatively fine and is accented by silver trim, preventing it from looking too cheap. The 10.25-inch floating central control screen is one of the highlights of the interior; the screen resolution is decent, and its operation speed meets the standards at this price point. It comes with built-in Bluetooth, CarPlay, and basic navigation functions, which are adequate for daily use. The instrument cluster combines traditional mechanical dials with a monochrome LCD screen, clearly displaying speed, RPM, fuel level, and other information for easy reading. In terms of configurations, the front row features keyless entry and a one-touch start system, with a dual-zone automatic climate control system that also includes rear air vents. The driver’s seat supports 6-way manual adjustment, while the passenger seat has 4-way manual adjustment. The seat padding is relatively soft, providing moderate comfort for daily use, though support is average.

Space performance is one of the core considerations for a family SUV, and this car has overall dimensions of 4519mm×1831mm×1694mm and a wheelbase of 2670mm, positioning it at the upper middle level among compact SUVs. The front row offers ample space, with a 175cm-tall tester finding a headroom clearance of one fist and two fingers after adjusting the seat. The rear row is even more commendable. A tester of the same height has two-fist legroom and one-fist headroom while seated, making it comfortable even for three passengers. The trunk offers 320L of standard storage capacity, enough for two 20-inch suitcases and some miscellaneous items. The rear seats support a 4/6 split-folding function, and when folded down, the floor becomes almost completely flat, providing a maximum storage capacity of approximately 1100L. This is sufficient for loading large items such as strollers or folding bicycles. For storage compartments, the central armrest box in the front row offers average capacity, door panel pockets can hold two water bottles, and the glove box on the passenger side provides adequate space for everyday use. The detailed storage compartment design generally meets the needs of family users.

In terms of dynamics, the 2.4L naturally aspirated engine has a maximum power of 152PS and a maximum torque of 210N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The power output is relatively smooth at the start, without the abruptness of a turbocharged engine, and it starts smoothly with a light press on the accelerator. During low to medium-speed driving, the transmission shifts actively, with a clear upshift and downshift logic, and there is basically no noticeable jerkiness. However, when the speed exceeds 80km/h, the power reserve for further acceleration becomes slightly insufficient. Overtaking requires a deep press on the accelerator, and the power only comes gradually after the transmission downshifts. Overall, it is more suitable for smooth driving scenarios. The steering system uses electric power assistance, the steering wheel has a moderate weight, with not much slack. The turning precision is adequate for daily use, and women drivers won’t find it tiring.

In terms of chassis, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is relatively common in the same class. The suspension setup leans towards comfort, demonstrating good filtering effect over speed bumps and small bumps on urban roads without significant stiffness. However, when encountering continuous bumpy roads, the rear seat passengers may feel slightly more bumps, but overall it is within an acceptable range. At high speeds, the vehicle stability is decent. At 120km/h, the steering wheel does not feel unsteady. Roll control during cornering is average—neither particularly aggressive nor unimpressive—but it fully meets the requirements for family use.

Regarding fuel consumption, we conducted a comprehensive road condition test, including 30% urban congested roads, 50% urban expressways, and 20% highways, with air conditioning turned on throughout. The final measured fuel consumption was approximately 9.2L/100km, which is not much different from the official figure of 8.9L/100km. Considering the 2.4L engine displacement and the 1.6-ton weight of the vehicle, this fuel consumption performance is within the average level of its class. In terms of braking performance, the brake pedal feel is linear, not too sensitive in the initial phase, while the braking force in the later stages is evenly distributed. The measured braking distance from 100km/h to 0 is approximately 42 meters, meeting the average level for compact SUVs.

As for driving comfort, this car has its highlights as well as shortcomings. The seat firmness is suitable for long drives, and you won't feel backaches even after driving for two consecutive hours. In terms of noise isolation, cabin noise is well-controlled at speeds under 60km/h, with only minor tire noise. However, as speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise becomes increasingly noticeable, especially near the A-pillar, although it does not affect normal conversation. The chassis effectively filters small road vibrations and is very comfortable for daily urban commuting. However, the support during high-speed cornering is average, with noticeable body roll, making it less suitable for aggressive driving.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2019 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport 2.4L+6AT two-wheel-drive version lie in its balanced space performance, rich practical configurations, and smooth power output. Compared to its peers like the Haval H6 Classic or the Changan CS55 PLUS, it offers better rear seat space and trunk expandability, while its central control screen size and smart features are on par. Additionally, the 2.4L+6AT powertrain is more appealing in terms of smoothness than some small displacement turbocharged models. However, its drawbacks are also apparent, such as weaker high-speed acceleration performance, average noise insulation, and interior materials that lack a sense of premium quality.

This car is more suitable for family users who value space practicality and rich configurations, especially those who primarily commute in the city on a daily basis and occasionally take short trips with their families on weekends. It doesn't require you to compromise for any extreme performance but instead meets the multi-scenario needs of family users with its balanced performance. If you are looking for a family SUV that offers ample space, sufficient features, and stress-free driving, and you don't have a particular preference for any brand, then this car is worth including in your consideration list.