The Geely Haoyue (Okavango) Offers Less Sport And More Utility

What is it?

The Haoyue is a 7-seat SUV and the largest one offered by Chinese manufacturer Geely. For the record, it’s pronounced “Jeely”, not “Gheely”. Geely has been making waves in the automotive world for almost a decade with the purchase of Volvo, Proton and Lotus, and the creation of the Lynk & Co brand. Geely will soon begin exporting a version of the Haoyue to the Philippines, where it will be called the Okavango.

Beefy presence

From the outside, the Haoyue has the look of a pretty traditional SUV, all broad shoulders and beefy presence. The front end has the latest version of Geely’s signature Cosmic Recall front grill, which looks a bit like the Geely badge was dropped into a pool of water.

The sheer size of the Haoyue becomes apparent when it is viewed in profile. It might not stack up to full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban, but it’s plenty big for most roads. The proportions of the body are good, and it avoids the boring slab sides of many SUVs, but it could use slightly larger wheels. The current 18-inchers look a bit disproportionate. Maybe a set of beefy off-road tires would balance the look a bit.

The rear design is simple, but not simplistic. Geely is lucky in that their English name doesn’t sound quite as strange as some other Chinese brands, a not insignificant benefit when it comes time for export. Opening up the electrically-operated rear tailgate shows the Haoyue’s real forte, space. Lots and lots of space. With the seats laid down, you get 2050L of storage, including under-floor compartments. Geely even offers a custom air mattress that fits neatly inside.

Space, space and more space

Inside the Haoyue, big grab handles front and rear are clearly intended to give it a sense of rugged capability. The material quality and fitment of Geely cars is consistently better than its domestic rivals. This was true of the Geely Jiaji MPV that we drove, and it’s true of the Haoyue. This is a car that’s priced between 15,000 and 21,000 USD, so it’s not like everything is made of real aluminum and reclaimed wood, but it’s hard to find anything that’s unpleasant to touch.

The only eyesore we could find was the silver elements on the dash, which is a reminder of the affordable price point. Top-spec models like this test car come with two 12.3-inch LED screens with a very functional UI and responsive controls.

Space in the back seat of the Haoyue is copious, and while this looks like a traditional bench seat, each of the three seats in the second row is independently adjustable. Second row passengers also have their own climate zone with separate controls. No grown adult relishes the idea of sitting in the third row of any vehicle, but one can do worse than the third row of the Haoyue. It certainly helps that it has its own air vents and adjustable backrests.

The definition of a soft-roader

The Haoyue sports a 1.8-liter turbo four connected to a 7-speed DCT. That engine puts out 135 kW and 300 Nm of torque (181 hp and 222 lb.-ft). The Haoyue is front-wheel drive only, and despite its hill descent control, it makes no pretense about its off-roading skills.

Geely doesn’t offer an official 0-100 km/h time either, which, makes sense. This is an affordable family SUV, so 0-100 times aren’t really the point. The version that’s headed to the Philippines will feature a 48v mild-hybrid system called Electric Motor Synergy. That means a petrol engine and an electric motor, so expect similar thrust and greater fuel efficiency.

The Haoyue doesn’t feel like it wants for power, especially off the line. That 300 Nm of torque comes on quickly, and full throttle launches will easily chirp the front tires, even with stability control on. Tire-chirping launches aren’t very common for most SUV drivers, but thankfully the engine and transmission tuning seem geared towards comfort, with smooth shifts and easy throttle modulation.

The Haoyue rides on what is essentially the same platform as the Jiaji MPV, including the McPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam in the rear. A non-independent rear suspension is a bit old school, but this one was likely chosen for its tidy dimensions. An independent rear suspension would have taken up more space, and hence eaten up more of the cabin.

If you like light steering, the Haoyue is definitely the car for you. It makes low-speed maneuvering completely effortless, but the Haoyue doesn’t offer the vault-like driving sensation of a German SUV as a result. The suspension, like the engine and transmission, is tuned for comfort, and filters out all but the most disastrous potholes and speed bumps. Despite the torsion beam rear, it also doesn’t wallow after driving over large bumps.

Takeaway

While the idea of clamoring down an off-road trail in a highly capable SUV is an intoxicating one, the reality is that most SUV buyers will choose practicality above all else. That means an SUV needs to be able to haul a lot of stuff and people in comfort. In terms of sheer space per dollar spent, the Haoyue is an impressive feat of engineering, so if you’re not someone who gets hung up on imaginary off-road adventures, then the Haoyue will likely suit your needs just fine.