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Review

2025 Geely Okavango – The affordable family hauler

Affordable comfort in the shape of a seven-seater

1 Mar 2025 · Azeem Azeez · 3 min

  • Comfortable for long drives
  • Spacious interior
  • Stylish exterior when compared to competition
  • Driving modes felt the same
  • Head-unit usability could be improved

We sort of knew what to expect when we drove the Geely Okavango. We've reviewed several Geely cars here at Karsabi, and the brand has a clear formula: modern design, a comfortable interior with lots of tech, and a smooth drive. Geely keeps delivering on that while balancing price and refinement, and we expect its next models to be just as stylish, well equipped and affordable.

First impressions

Geely knocked it out of the park with this color. The bold blue looks amazing and very premium, especially in the sunlight. Up front, the large grille makes a strong first impression, and the futuristic headlights give it a high-tech look. Geely has clearly worked to make this SUV look confident and current.

Inside, the space is the first thing you notice. The Okavango seats seven and feels roomy and comfortable, so it's a great option for families or anyone who needs the extra room. The layout is practical and well thought out, and even third-row passengers get a decent amount of space.

The Exterior

The 2025 Geely Okavango's design is bold and practical at once. The large front grille gives it a strong presence, and the slim LED headlights look futuristic. The sculpted hood and sharp side lines make it look sporty without overdoing it, and it fits in as well in the city as on the highway.

From the side, the shape is well balanced, with high ground clearance and large alloy wheels that make it look like a proper SUV. Subtle chrome accents and a floating roof add some class. At the rear, slim LED taillights wrap neatly around the sides for a clean, modern finish, and a small roof spoiler and a streamlined bumper finish off the look.

2025 Geely Okavango

The Interior

We were impressed with the Okavango's interior. The seats were comfortable, and the materials and colors made the cabin feel premium. The large central head unit was fast and responsive. Because so many of the car's functions are controlled through the touchscreen, though, some settings took a while to learn. Getting to the camera menu, for example, took several taps, and that could be simpler.

Behind the steering wheel is a fully digital instrument cluster that adds to the modern feel. You can customize the displays to show fuel consumption, mileage and more. It's clear, easy to read and simple to adjust.

The Okavango also has 4 cup-holders in the front, which we really appreciated on our long test-drive.

2025 Geely Okavango

The driving experience

The Okavango drives the way you'd expect from Geely: comfortably and smoothly. The well-cushioned driver's seat keeps you relaxed, and the suspension soaks up bumps in the road. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission, which changes gears quickly and smoothly. Road noise is well controlled too, so the cabin stays quiet even at highway speeds.

There are three drive modes, Eco, Comfort and Sport, but the differences between them are subtle. It's nice to have the option, but the modes don't change how the car drives enough to justify a dedicated switch.

What we liked most was how quickly the turbo responds. It comes in fast when you need extra power and gives a noticeable boost without hesitation. There's a faint turbo whine too, which gives a slightly sporty edge to an otherwise smooth and composed SUV.

Conclusion

The 2025 Geely Okavango builds on what Geely already does well: it's stylish, well equipped inside and smooth to drive. With its bold looks, spacious cabin and plenty of tech, it's a strong contender among seven-seater SUVs. On the road, the ride is comfortable, the turbo engine responds well and the cabin is well insulated, so it works for daily commutes and long drives alike. The Price for the Geely Okavango is around AED 99,500 for the GK variant and around AED 106,000 for the GF variant (which is the one we tested).

Overall, it's a well-rounded SUV that is practical and feels a bit upmarket. If you want an affordable seven-seater that feels premium, the Okavango shows that Geely is still building stylish, comfortable cars that are good value. Read more about the Geely Okavango

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