Key Points
- The Geely Starray EM-i Inspire AWD arrives in Australian dealerships from mid-September 2026, priced at $44,990 plus on-road costs.
- It is the first Starray EM-i variant with a rear electric motor, making it the only Geely model currently sold in Australia with all-wheel drive.
- The added motor cuts the 0-100km/h time to 6.3 seconds and lifts maximum WLTP range to 1,065km, 69km further than the front-wheel-drive Inspire.
Geely Auto Australia is adding a third variant to its Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV range. The Starray EM-i Inspire All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) joins the existing Complete and Inspire variants and arrives in dealerships from mid-September 2026.
Priced at $44,990 plus on-road costs, the Inspire AWD is the first Starray EM-i to use a rear electric motor. It is also the only vehicle in Geely's current Australian line-up available with all-wheel drive.
What's New on the Inspire AWD
The Inspire AWD adds a rear electric motor producing 80kW and 150Nm, on top of the existing 160kW/262Nm front motor and 73kW/125Nm petrol engine. Combined system output rises to 220kW and 412Nm across the whole drivetrain.
The extra motor cuts the 0-100km/h sprint to 6.3 seconds, down from 8.2 seconds in the front-wheel-drive Inspire. Geely says the AWD system does not compromise the model's efficiency or its EV-like driving feel on the road.
A five-link rear suspension replaces the four-link set-up used on the front-wheel-drive variants. Geely says this improves ride comfort, stability and handling. Two new drive modes, Snow and Off-road, are added alongside the existing Pure, Hybrid and Power modes, giving the Inspire AWD more capability away from sealed roads.
Pricing and Range Across the Starray EM-i Line-up
The Starray EM-i Inspire AWD is priced at $44,990 plus on-road costs, $3,500 above the front-wheel-drive Inspire and $7,500 above the entry-level Complete. It brings the Starray EM-i range to three variants.
Despite the added AWD hardware, the Inspire AWD has the longest range in the line-up. Its 60-litre fuel tank, the same size as the Inspire's, combines with a 29.8kWh battery to deliver 1,065km of combined range on the WLTP cycle, 69km more than the front-wheel-drive Inspire's 996km. Electric-only range is rated at 130km WLTP, slightly below the Inspire's 136km.
Starray EM-i Range at a Glance
Spec | Complete | Inspire | Inspire AWD |
Recommended Retail Price (excl. on-road costs) | $37,490 | $41,490 | $44,990 |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | AWD |
Battery capacity | 18.4kWh | 29.8kWh | 29.8kWh |
Fuel tank capacity | 51L | 60L | 60L |
Combined range (WLTP) | 943km | 996km | 1,065km |
Electric range (WLTP) | 83km | 136km | 130km |
Fuel consumption (WLTP) | 2.5L/100km | 1.6L/100km | 1.7L/100km |
Petrol engine | 73kW / 125Nm | 73kW / 125Nm | 73kW / 125Nm |
Front electric motor | 160kW / 262Nm | 160kW / 262Nm | 160kW / 262Nm |
Rear electric motor | Not fitted | Not fitted | 80kW / 150Nm |
0-100km/h | 8.0s | 8.2s | 6.3s |
Drive modes | Pure, Hybrid, Power | Pure, Hybrid, Power | Pure, Hybrid, Power, Snow, Off-road |
he Only Geely With All-Wheel Drive in Australia
The Inspire AWD's rear motor makes it the only vehicle in Geely's current Australian range available with all-wheel drive. Every other Geely model sold locally, including the EX5, EX2 and the rest of the Starray EM-i range, is front-wheel drive only.
Geely Auto Australia's Product Marketing & Planning Director, Andrew Tuitahi, said the local response to the brand had encouraged it to broaden its offering with a variant aimed at buyers who want more capability from their PHEV SUV.
How It Compares to Rival PHEV SUVs
The Starray EM-i Inspire AWD undercuts its closest all-wheel-drive PHEV SUV rivals by a wide margin on price. The Toyota RAV4 PHEV XSE AWD starts at $63,340 plus on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which is AWD across its entire range, starts at $58,990 plus on-road costs for the entry ES grade. Both are well above the Starray's $44,990.
Both rivals have more combined power than the Starray. Neither Toyota nor Mitsubishi publishes a combined torque figure for these PHEV SUVs, so torque cannot be compared directly. Mitsubishi has also not published an official 0-100km/h time for the Outlander PHEV.
Starray EM-i Inspire AWD vs Rival PHEV SUVs
Spec | Geely Starray EM-i Inspire AWD | Toyota RAV4 PHEV XSE AWD | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV AWD (ES) |
Price (excl. on-road costs) | $44,990 | $63,340 | $58,990 |
Combined power | 220kW | 227kW | 221kW |
Combined torque | 412Nm | Not stated by manufacturer | Not stated by manufacturer |
0-100km/h | 6.3s | 5.7s | Not stated by manufacturer |
Battery capacity | 29.8kWh | 22.7kWh | 22.7kWh |
Electric range (WLTP) | 130km | 100km | 84km |
Fuel consumption | 1.7L/100km (WLTP) | Not officially confirmed for this grade | 1.2L/100km (NEDC) |
Drive modes | Pure, Hybrid, Power, Snow, Off-road | Not specified by manufacturer | Not specified by manufacturer |
What Geely Says
Andrew Tuitahi, Geely Auto Australia Product Marketing & Planning Director
The adoption of Geely by the Australian market has encouraged us to broaden our offering.
At Geely, we are committed to constantly innovating. The new Starray EM-i Inspire AWD complements our existing Starray EM-i range by providing an option for those seeking enhanced performance and adventurous driving.
The Geely Starray EM-i Inspire AWD goes on sale in Australian dealerships from mid-September 2026.
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About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
