Geely unveiled the all-new fourth-generation Emgrand sedan at the 2021 Chengdu Auto Show in China, based on the B-Segment Modular Architecture (BMA). If you haven’t heard of the Emgrand, you should know that it has been the most popular Chinese brand sedan for nine consecutive years, with more than 3.25 million sales. The new generation builds up to this success as a budget-friendly sedan that comes with a modern design and a tech-packed interior.
Emgrand was a standalone brand from 2009 until 2014 when its products were rebranded under the Geely parent company. The new Geely Emgrand sedan signals a big departure from its predecessors both in terms of design and technology and looks larger and more premium than any of the previous models, measuring 4,638 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,460 mm high.
While the three-box design of the profile is somewhat conservative, the grille and headlights look quite imposing, while the high-mounted connected LED tailights and the integrated rear spoiler are fairly modern. Geely states that the new Emgrand has an impressive 0.27 Cd drag coefficient and a low center of gravity.
Inside, the dashboard looks like it was inspired by the Honda Civic due to the layout and the horizontal lines connecting the climate vents. In order to satisfy Chinese customers, the Emgrand gets bright color combinations and comes loaded with tech. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is combined with a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment that is compatible with OTA updates and supports AI voice assistant. There is also a purifying AC system, a 540° surround-view camera (to be frank we are not really sure how you can capture more than 360°), and an ultra-high-definition driving recorder available in the higher trim levels.
The BMA platform brought increased space for passengers and their luggage, better NVH performance, and improved handling. Braking has also been improved thanks to Bosch’s 9.3 ESP which allows a “best-in-class” 100-0 km/h deceleration in under 36 m. Under the bonnet, there is an aluminum 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 113 hp and 147 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through either a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox simulating an 8-speed auto.
The Geely Emgrand is produced in Changxing in China for the local market. We don’t expect the model to be exported as the market for B-Segment sedans is almost non-existent in Europe and in the US. In terms of pricing, the Emgrand ranges from 87,000 yuan (US$ 13,454) to 92,000 yuan (US$ 14,227) making for a legitimate budget-friendly proposal.
