2019 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport 2.4L+6AT(4WD) Review

The compact SUV market in Malaysia has always been a battleground for family users and young consumers. People want enough space to handle daily commuting and weekend outings, while also expecting no compromises in features and performance. The 2019 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport 2.4L+6AT (4WD) tested this time is the sport version of the series. Its core selling points are focused on the practicality of the four-wheel-drive system, the stable output of the 2.4L naturally aspirated engine, and the space design optimized for family needs. The purpose of our test drive is very clear: to see whether this car can balance daily driving comfort with occasional off-road requirements in the same price range.

In terms of appearance, the Emgrand X7 Sport does not follow an exaggerated sporty route, but rather leans towards a stable overall style. The front end features a family-style shield-shaped grille with chrome strips, giving it a rather imposing visual effect; the LED daytime running lights on both sides are connected to the grille, widening the horizontal proportion of the front end and providing decent recognition. The body side lines are smooth, and the 18-inch multi-spoke wheels are a direct reflection of the "Sport" branding, making it more muscular than the standard version. The chrome accents on the lower door panels and the black cladding around the fenders add a touch of off-road flair. At the rear, the tail lights adopt a horizontal design, and the internal LED light source is clear when lit. The silver skid plate below the rear bumper and the dual exhaust layout (decorative) further emphasize the sporty feel. Overall, the exterior design of this vehicle leans more towards the aesthetic preferences of family users, being neither overly ostentatious nor lacking in sophistication.

Inside the car, the interior layout focuses on practicality, with a symmetrical design for the central control panel, making it user-friendly. Regarding materials, the top of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch plastic, paired with silver trim and carbon-fiber-like textured panels. While it doesn't feel luxurious, the texture is acceptable in this price range. In terms of key configurations, an 8-inch central touchscreen is positioned in the center of the dashboard, supporting Bluetooth connection and smartphone mirroring functions, with smooth operation. Physical buttons are retained below for convenient blind operation of the air conditioning and volume adjustment while driving. The seats are wrapped in leather, and the front seats support manual adjustment. The cushions and backrests offer good support, ensuring prolonged sitting comfort; the backrest angle of the rear seats can be adjusted, further enhancing passenger comfort in the rear.

The space performance is one of the advantages of the Emgrand X7 Sport. With body dimensions of 4519mm × 1831mm × 1694mm and a wheelbase of 2670mm, it is in the upper-mid range of compact SUVs. The front row offers spacious seating, and a passenger with a height of 175cm will have a headroom clearance of about one fist and two fingers after adjusting the seat. The rear seat space is even more commendable; a passenger of the same height seated in the rear will have two fist lengths of legroom and one fist of headroom. The floor's center hump is not high, so even with three passengers seated, the middle passenger's legroom won’t feel too cramped. As for storage capacity, the front door panel storage slots can fit two bottles of mineral water, and the central armrest box is spacious enough to hold some everyday small items. The trunk's standard capacity is 320L, but folding down the rear seats allows for expanded space, which is completely sufficient for storing luggage for family short trips. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, showing thoughtful consideration in finer details.

In terms of power, this car is equipped with a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum power of 152PS and a maximum torque of 210N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Judging by the specifications, the naturally aspirated engine provides a relatively linear output. Its power response during start-up is not particularly fast but offers good smoothness, which is suitable for daily urban driving. When stepping on the accelerator firmly, the engine can release maximum torque at around 4400rpm. The acceleration process is stable, but overtaking requires some anticipation, as the explosive power of a naturally aspirated engine is not as strong as a turbocharged one. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. When switched to Sport mode, the transmission's shifting logic delays, the RPM stays above 3000rpm, and the power output becomes more direct, though fuel consumption will increase accordingly. The highlight of this car is its four-wheel-drive system, which adopts an on-demand AWD system. On paved roads, it primarily operates in front-wheel-drive mode, but when encountering slippery or lightly unpaved roads, the system automatically distributes power to the rear wheels, enhancing driving stability. During our test drive, we tried a muddy country road, and the four-wheel-drive system engaged promptly without noticeable skidding, fully meeting the needs of occasional light off-road driving.

The handling and chassis performance are tuned more towards comfort. The steering wheel has a moderate weight with minimal play, making it relatively precise for daily driving. The suspension system uses a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension. It performs well in filtering out road bumps in urban environments, and when driving over speed bumps or potholes, the vehicle's bounce is not overly stiff. However, during high-speed cornering, the body exhibits noticeable body roll due to its height, which is a common characteristic of compact SUVs. In terms of braking performance, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes perform consistently, and the brake pedal has a linear feel. During emergency braking, the body posture is well controlled.

In terms of fuel consumption, our test route included congested city roads, highways, and a small section of unpaved roads. The combined fuel consumption was about 10.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 9.4L/100km. This discrepancy could be attributed to our frequent switching of driving modes and use of the four-wheel-drive system during the test drive. If used in Eco mode for daily commuting, fuel consumption should be controlled within 9.5L/100km. For a 2.4L four-wheel-drive model, this fuel consumption is within an acceptable range. Regarding noise control, while driving on urban roads, tire and engine noise are not noticeable. When driving at a highway speed of 120km/h, wind noise becomes more apparent but does not affect normal conversations inside the vehicle. Overall, the noise performance is in line with the vehicle's price range.

In conclusion, the 2019 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport 2.4L+6AT (4WD) has three main advantages: Firstly, its spacious interior and versatile storage capacity fully meet the needs of family users. Secondly, the addition of a four-wheel-drive system enhances its capability on unpaved roads, making it suitable for users who occasionally need to drive on rough roads. Thirdly, its stable power output and comfortable chassis tuning provide a smooth daily driving experience. Compared to competitors in the same price range (such as the Proton X70 1.8T 2WD version), the Emgrand X7 Sport's four-wheel-drive system is a clear differentiating advantage. Although its power specifications are not as strong as turbocharged models, naturally aspirated engines offer better reliability and lower maintenance costs.

The target audience for this car is very clear: family users who value practical space and consumers who occasionally need to handle unpaved roads (such as country roads or light off-roading). It does not have particularly obvious shortcomings, and its overall performance is relatively balanced, making it suitable as a main family vehicle. If you are looking for a compact SUV with ample space, practical features, and the ability to "go wild" occasionally, the 2019 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport 2.4L+6AT (4WD) is worth considering.