As the first model launched by Galaxy, the Galaxy L7 has been highly anticipated since its announcement. Previously, we have conducted a dynamic test drive of the Geely Galaxy L7 on a closed course, and this time, we took it on open roads to see how it performs.

The Galaxy L7, as the inaugural model of Geely Galaxy, was officially launched at the end of May and has received positive market feedback. Indeed, from a pricing perspective, it accurately targets two SUV models from BYD's Song family, with an attractive starting price of 138,700 yuan.

The exterior design of the Galaxy L7 adopts the "Galaxy Light" design language, featuring a closed grille at the front and, like the Xiaolong MAX, has a radiator for cooling below. The through-type light strip and split headlamps are popular design elements of the moment, making it look quite fashionable and avant-garde.

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In terms of power, the Galaxy L7 is equipped with Geely's new generation of the Leishen hybrid system 8848, which consists of a Leishen 1.5T four-cylinder hybrid engine + a 3-speed variable frequency electric drive DHT Pro. It has a combined maximum power of 390 horsepower and a combined maximum torque of 535 N·m, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 6.9 seconds.

The new car has two pure electric ranges of 55 km and 115 km (CLTC conditions), corresponding to combined ranges of 1310 km and 1370 km (CLTC conditions), with combined fuel consumption of 2.35 L/100 km and 1.3 L/100 km (WLTC conditions), and a fuel consumption of 5.23 L/100 km (WLTC conditions) when the battery is depleted. If converted to NEDC conditions, its combined fuel consumption reaches 0.8 L/100 km, and the fuel consumption when the battery is depleted is 4.4 L/100 km.

Regarding tires, it still uses a set of Goodyear tires, belonging to the EAGLE F1 SUV series, which is a set of SUV-specific tires that emphasize sportiness. The size is 245/45R20, which is quite large, and the tires are relatively flat, but this actually has a certain negative impact on comfort.Alright, back to the main topic. Unlike non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), the Geely Galaxy L7 is equipped with a genuine high-capacity battery. Its capacity of just over 18 kilowatt-hours can meet the normal commuting needs for a full day in the city for the vast majority of situations. Thanks to the impressive power of the electric motor, the top speed in pure electric mode is also sufficient to cover daily usage scenarios, and it can be used in pure electric mode even on highways.

When the battery is fully charged and the speed is not high, the vehicle will operate in EV pure electric mode. In this case, it functions as a pure electric vehicle, with all its qualities aligning with those of an electric car. The acceleration is very swift, the interior is sufficiently quiet, and the heavy chassis texture gives a premium feel.

When the speed is increased to high-speed driving, the internal combustion engine comes into play, and the electric motor takes on a more supportive role. When you press the accelerator pedal to prepare for overtaking, the transmission instantly downshifts, raising the engine speed to increase power, thereby unleashing stronger power from the drive system. At this moment, you can clearly feel that the Geely Galaxy L7 has an additional surge of acceleration, and the thrust is also adequate.

Although the acceleration is very rapid, this is still a model that emphasizes comfort, leaning more towards family use. However, it is not loose and flimsy; on the contrary, it is very tight, with excellent support during cornering. While filtering out minor road vibrations, it does not lose too much road feel.

The Geely Galaxy L7 features a front MacPherson suspension combined with a rear E-type four-link suspension. Compared to a rear three-link suspension, the four-link suspension has greater axial stiffness, more stable handling, and higher structural strength and durability coefficients. The long-travel suspension design provides a longer cushioning space, more grip, and enhanced driving stability.

The steering feel of the Galaxy L7 is the type I really like. Although it is not as sensitive as sports-oriented models, it is accurate and responsive. Moreover, the speed-sensitive assistance is very linear, with a lighter steering wheel at low speeds and a heavier one at high speeds.Want to save energy? The battery charge maintenance function can be of great help. Before entering a driving condition where the electric motor excels, such as during a slow drive, you can switch the vehicle to forced charging mode, using the engine operation and kinetic energy recovery system to replenish the battery charge. When the battery is sufficiently charged and you need more powerful performance, you can switch to the HEV hybrid mode. However, for us, simply putting it in smart mode is the most worry-free option.

Aiming at scenarios where it's inconvenient for drivers to operate during driving, the Geely Galaxy L7 offers a more streamlined interaction scheme for the central control screen. For instance, a single swipe in from the right edge of the screen can take you back to the previous level, double-finger control adjusts the cabin temperature and volume, triple-finger control adjusts screen brightness, and a five-finger grab on the screen brings up the task center. Additionally, a three-finger swipe can facilitate the transition of applications between the central control screen and the passenger screen. Quick interactions and a logical menu structure make operations during driving less cumbersome and dangerous.

The kinetic energy recovery strength can be manually adjusted in three levels or set to automatic mode. During braking and coasting, the mechanical energy that would otherwise be wasted is converted into electrical energy by the wheels dragging the motor in reverse, which is then stored in the battery and reused during subsequent acceleration, ensuring that every bit of your energy is utilized efficiently.

The level of sound insulation and noise reduction is also worth mentioning. Since most urban driving speeds are around 60km/h, the Galaxy L7 tends to operate in pure electric mode, making the cabin very quiet, consistent with the experience of an electric vehicle. When the speed increases and the engine kicks in, there is no significant increase in cabin noise; aside from a bit of road noise, the cabin remains very quiet most of the time.

In conclusion: easier to drive, more fuel-efficient, and more reliable—this is the reviewer's assessment of the Geely Galaxy L7. These points are further confirmed after another test drive. Although Geely started later in this area and currently does not have the market share of BYD, with the launch of the Galaxy brand and Geely's technological reserves, let's look forward to this first product, the Galaxy L7.