Motoring Review: The Geely Emgrand X7 Sport has some sweet surprises for you

Does the 2017 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport have it in itself to create ripples in the SUV market? We find out!

In our last outing with the Geely, we found that the Emgrand GT was an affordable and useful sedan with a touch of class - proof that the Chinese automotive industry has come a long way from their days of challenging quality concerns and overcoming the alleged copycat syndrome. This week, we sample a newer product from the company that owns Volvo - the 2017 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport. Here are the truths about this compact crossover SUV.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
Geely already has an EX7 SUV in the portfolio, launched a few years ago. This is different: it's the Emgrand X7 Sport, a brand-new vehicle that embodies a design language inspired by Peter Horbury and his team in Gothenburg, Sweden.
This compact SUV measures 4,519mm in length, 1,831mm in width and stands 1,694mm tall; it weighs 1,550kg. Those who know their 'crossovers' would see that it's roughly the size of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, albeit slightly taller. We got to drive the 'Flagship' model, but the range comprises of three other models - 'Advance', 'Advance AWD' and 'Elegance'.
The X7 Sport, unlike some Chinese cars of the past, has well balanced proportions with some nice detailing. And even before I took the car out for a drive, I was nodding my head in approval. The ripple effect on the grille of the Emgrand GT sedan was unique, but not quite my favourite motif. On the X7 Sport, it's better executed and merges well with the frontal design. The raked nose houses what Geely calls 'Eagle Eye'. I still can't comprehend the bird inspiration, but this much is sure: the LED daytime running lamps and the segment-exclusive LED headlamps did bring some positive intrigue. The generic blue-black Geely badge, though, looks amateurish and could use a rework.
The vehicle's association with the term 'Sport' is not just seen in its name, but in its sporting silhouette too. A big-time contributor is the Evoque-esque floating roof, an illusion created by having blacked-out roof pillars, front to back. The 'Sport' tag gets accentuated further by the X7's pronounced wheel arches and decidedly racy five-twin-spoke, 18-inch wheels that would be an easy fit an almost any performance car.
Like most SUVs, the rear-end design seems a tad confused but still packs in the necessities such as bright LED tail lamps, a rear spoiler and large trapezoidal chrome-tipped exhausts that flank either ends of the bumper. The X7 has style, and something about it makes it feel like it wasn't manufactured - but designed.
Right off the bat, I can tell you the X7 Sport has one of the finest interiors we have seen on a Chinese car and possibly ranks among the best in the segment. It's minimalist, original and tasteful. The Executive Vice President of Design stated, "A nation's products should reflect the place of origin", and, keeping that in mind, they have fabricated a dashboard inspired by the 'Broken Bridge' over Hangzhou West Lake. More than the point of origin, it is the brushed metallic finish that impressed me with its texture and premium appeal.
In the midst of that monument-inspired dashboard is a new-age rising centre console, much like that in a Porsche Panamera, with an 8-inch infotainment screen, complemented with well-spaced-out buttons and classy yet easy-to-read font - you neither need a microscope nor Google Translate to get the controls working. It's real neat stuff!
How often do you see a flat-bottom steering in an SUV? The X7 has one! As for instrumentation, the driver gets a customisable 7-inch TFT LCD screen to check on trip and infotainment info (lesser models get a 3.5-inch screen). I never felt challenged for space upfront, a big thanks to 6-way power adjustments for the driver's seat and 4-way for the passenger's seat. Base models have the same number of adjustments, but with a manual control. The seats come upholstered in soft brown nappa leather, embroidered with contrast stitching, keeping with the premium theme. The back seats are nice and comfy too, with a good view of the high-rise scenery of Dubai seen through a large panoramic sunroof.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
Under the bonnet is a 2.4-litre inline 4-cylinder, the same configuration as that on the Emgrand GT we tested earlier; here, it makes slightly less power, but a tad more torque. The naturally-aspirated engine puts out 150bhp at 5,300rpm and some 225Nm of twist at the crank which is perfectly suited for your daily driver duties.
Power delivery is smooth but the engine isn't all that enthusiastic. It's a leisurely drive from a standstill to 100 km/h - taking as much as 11 seconds. Powering down the highway needs some prep too. That comes as a bit of a surprise, considering the X7 Sport was developed around the concept of a speeding cheetah.
Cabin comfort is of a high degree, thanks to the smooth-shifting transmission and the soft sprung suspension that help the X7 Sport glide over bumps and road irregularities with a fair amount of composure. Also, extensive work by MIRA - the vehicle engineering solutions expert - has helped keep Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels very acceptable.
The MacPherson suspension upfront and the multi-link independent setup at the rear do a good job of maintaining traction on the tarmac. With a little help from the all-wheel drive system, the X7 swings around corners quickly while maintaining composure around high-speed sweepers.
If you wish to take it up and over some dunes to challenge its SUV credentials, I suggest you keep the landscape beachy or dusty. There is sufficient approach and departure angles and reasonable ground clearance, but there isn't power to tackle the slippery slopes of Bidayer or Al Faya.
Fuel economy isn't exceptional, but isn't shameful either, achieving a sipping rate of 11L/100km, letting you stretch out that 60-litre tank to about 550km.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
Unlike some Korean manufacturers who cut back on safety features in order to provide competitive pricing, the X7 Sport is able to provide quite a lot of 'caution kit' even at this retail price. The following is an excerpt from the brochure: "ESP + TCS + ABS + EBD + BA + TPMS + EPB + AutoHold". Let me decrypt that for you: so basically, it's got a stability programme to keep you in the intended line, traction control to negate excessive power, ABS (this one needs no introduction), brake assist that preps brakes for optimal retardation and even a tyre pressure monitoring system which will help negate issues like uneven tyre wear, performance and economy deficiencies. Base models get four airbags but our Flagship trim came with six.
Practicality in terms of space has been served well. Open up the boot, and you have generous room for up to four or even five full-size suitcases. And the fact that the floor lip is almost non-existent lets you slide objects over the stainless steel finisher without scratching paint easily. You can also fold down the rear seats that split in a 60:40 format for large items.
As standard across the range, you get an 8-inch Touch Screen with decent graphics capable of displaying metadata from the songs you play via the AUX-In or USB or Bluetooth. But there is a slight delay in response, probably owing to the kind of processor embedded in it. For the most part, you'd be content with the 6-speaker arrangement and the sound reproduction. But the car exudes a luxury feel and, for that reason - although the price doesn't demand it - it would have been nice to see the presence of a brand like Bose or the likes.
And, finally, the dual-zone air conditioner. The physical knobs and buttons made it a breeze to use. And even when we were packed with five adults travelling down a sunny highway in the afternoon, it worked without complaint.
VERDICT
As it goes, the 2017 Geely Emgrand X7 Sport is both a mouthful of a name and an impressive new vehicle, easily overcoming the stigma associated with older Chinese products. The sporty exterior ups the desirability factor and the interiors shine in terms of design as well as fit and finish. The mildly underpowered powertrain and the sluggish infotainment system are chinks in the armour, but are easily forgettable if you consider the ample space available for occupants and accompanying luggage. and the compliant ride quality. Also, the 5-year/150,000km warranty is a testament to Geely's confidence in their products and makes the X7 a legitimate choice for crossover shoppers.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com

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