The Geely Azkarra was announced in July 2019 but only went on sale locally just recently. It’s being sold alongside the Azkarra Premium and exists as a separate model in Geely’s line up.
The Azkarra Luxury 48V EMS, as the name suggests, a more luxurious and high-tech version of the Azkarra Premium it gets the same 1.5-litre 3 cylinder turbo but WITH a mild-hybrid 48V battery, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), revised styling and the latest generation GKUI19 (Geely Smart Ecosystem) operating system.
The two Azkarra variants are a little like the Apple iPad and iPad Pro – same same, but the latter is a little bit more premium with better technologies.
On the outside, the Azkarra takes a few cues from other Geely model called the “xingyue” that was launched earlier in May (only for the Chinese market), with smaller, jewel-eyed headlamps that flank a larger take on the company’s trademark “expanding cosmos” grille. The ever so muscular bonnet is just fascinating to look at both from the outside and inside and also features an “A-wing” that separates the corner fog lamp sections from the wide lower intake.
At the rear, the taillight clusters have a 3D effect which looks mega, and to better link up with the vehicle’s lines, and they also have lighting graphics within them. Like its newer siblings, the Azkarra ditches the company logo on the trim piece linking the clusters, opting instead for a “Geely” script.
The Azkarra’s cabin is instantly distinguished from other Geely models , with a more contemporary feel to things. From the driver’s seat, there’s a flat-bottom steering wheel, and the instrument binnacle has been reshaped – with new visuals for the digital instrument cluster nestled within it. This is one of the most beautifully laid out interiors we’ve seen.
The dashboard also adopts a two-tone look, where leather upholstery can be found placed beneath stylised trim. Sleeker air vents are also part of the new get-up, and the infotainment widescreen occupies a larger area, framed by silver trim. Though you do not get Apple CarPlay, the Azkarra comes with a wireless charging pad just beneath the centre console where I think is a really awkward place to reach. Did I mention that this car comes with a CN95 cabin air filters as standard? Well, there you go.
Below the main screen is where you’ll find the switches for the climate control, followed by a floating centre console. Once again, there’s some BMW-ness to things here, with the vehicle functions placed to the side of the new gear lever that has a button to place the car in park on the top. Other items found in this area are the electronic parking brake switch and a rotary dial that is used not to navigate through the infotainment system (touch is used instead), but to cycle through the available drive modes.
In terms of engines, the 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder has been given an update to meet new emission standards, a 48V battery for a “Mild-Hybrid” that’s being co-developed with Volvo which gives out 177 hp and 300Nm of torque mated with A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Driving feel is somewhat a simulated feel, given that this car is advertised as an “Active Lifestyle Vehicle”, it feels like the future. Cycling through the drive modes of Eco, Sport, Comfort and Off-road, the Azkarra does seem to have everything covered.
It is nice to drive through the city for a relaxed feel but for spirited driving, it likes to maximise the rev counter and there’s a weird burning smell that comes through the cabin which I think means the car doesn’t really want to be driven that way.
The Azkarra is more than just a local assembly job of Geely. Actual effort was spent to further improve the vehicle and fine tune it to better suit local operating conditions. The ride and handling team sprinkled their magic in an effort to reduce body roll and improve suspension compliance over poor surfaces, and the powertrain engineers also gave their inputs to improve the transmission’s low-speed calibration for smoother operation in stop-go traffic.
VERDICT
This being the joint venture of Geely-Volvo, focus has sensibly been put on the basics, whereby emphasis is put on achieving consistent quality with the Chinese-made examples before more ambitious undertakings are pursued.
Handling is tidy, competent. Not quite as sporty as it’s rivals, but sufficiently assuring at high speeds. Do be mindful of the car’s tall proportions though, the laws of physics will always win if you charge too hard into a bend and suddenly dial in unfeasible steering angles.
The dynamics are more than good enough for daily town and highway use by most. The new 2020 Geely Azkarra adds incremental improvements to the SUV package. That, together with a further reduction in pricing makes it ever more difficult a choice to argue against. The CN95 cabin air filters too are bang on for those of you who worry about hygiene. The Geely Azkarra Luxury 48V EMS is a very impactful SUV, and exceptionally equipped. I'd prefer that the mild-hybrid system should be a little subtle, jerking about when coasting -but that's what you can expect from all similar 48V systems anyway. Another great thing about the Azkarra is it’s keyfob! It just looks like a supercar key-fob. Now that’s something you can brag about with your friends.
Prices:
Azkarra Luxury 48V EMS: Php 1,598,000
Azkarra Premium 2WD: Php 1,438,000
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