Updated Geely Galaxy Starshine 6 surfaces with bigger battery and longer EV range

Geely is quietly stretching the legs of its mid-size plug-in hybrid sedan, and the numbers suggest a meaningful upgrade rather than a token tweak.

The updated Galaxy Starshine 6 has been exposed in China with a significantly larger battery pack, pushing its claimed pure electric range out to 170km under CLTC testing. For Australian readers used to seeing PHEVs struggle to clear 80km, that figure immediately grabs attention.

While the exterior design remains untouched, the hardware underneath tells a more ambitious story.

Bigger battery, same petrol engine

At the heart of the update is a new 28.3kWh battery pack, a sizeable jump over the outgoing versions that offered 8.5kWh and 17kWh options.

That translates to up to 45km more electric-only range compared with the previous 125km CLTC variant.

The petrol side of the equation stays familiar. The Starshine 6 continues to use a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 82kW, forming part of Geely’s EM-i NordThor Hybrid 2.0 system. Electric motor outputs for the updated version are yet to be officially confirmed, although the current model pairs the engine with a 120kW front motor and an E-DHT transmission.

Powertrain snapshot

• 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine
• Maximum engine output 82kW
• New 28.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery
• Up to 170km CLTC pure electric range
• Front electric motor previously rated at 120kW

For context, 170km of electric driving would comfortably cover most daily Australian commutes without the petrol engine firing up, even allowing for real-world range falling short of CLTC claims.

Same size, familiar styling

Visually, Geely has not tampered with the formula.

The Starshine 6 retains its 4806mm length, 1886mm width and 1490mm height, riding on a 2756mm wheelbase. That places it squarely in the mid-size sedan category, roughly aligned with vehicles Australians would compare to a Toyota Camry in footprint.

Curb weight sits at 1625kg, reasonable for a plug-in hybrid carrying a much larger battery pack.

Design elements remain conservative and market-friendly:

• Large trapezoidal grille with chrome detailing
• Traditional door handles rather than flush units
• Through-type rear light bar
• Clean sedan silhouette with restrained surfacing

It is evolutionary. And that is likely deliberate.

Sales momentum and a methanol twist

Since launching in October 2025, the Starshine 6 has built steady sales momentum in China, climbing from 1,532 units in its first month to 8,708 units by December. Pricing for the current model ranges from 74,800 to 105,800 yuan, which converts to roughly AUD $11,500 to $16,000 at direct exchange rates, though that does not account for taxes or local compliance costs.

There is also another interesting development.

Chinese regulators recently revealed a methanol plug-in hybrid variant of the Starshine 6, powered by a different 1.5-litre engine producing 93kW and paired with a lithium iron phosphate battery. Methanol remains a niche fuel globally, but Geely has long invested in the technology as part of China’s broader alternative fuel strategy.

For Australia, the standard petrol-electric PHEV is far more relevant, particularly as federal emissions standards begin tightening and buyers look for electrified options that do not rely solely on public charging infrastructure.

If Geely continues expanding its global footprint, a long-range PHEV sedan like this could slot neatly between conventional hybrids and full battery EVs in price and practicality.

Detailed specifications overview