I’m often asked, “Which 3-row SUV should I buy?” There’s no simple answer—but the good news is, a market study from five years ago listed around 40 options across segments, and now there are even more. So, choice isn’t a problem.
And if the mainstream ones feel boring or the new alpha-numeric names seem confusing, how about something named after one of Africa’s last great natural sanctuaries? Enter the Okavango—fittingly named, given its sibling is the Monjaro, inspired by Kilimanjaro. The 2025 Geely Okavango is available in two trims: the fairly equipped GK and the higher-spec GF, which we tested. Here’s what you should know.
Exterior: Robust, MPV like silhouette with bold grille and sporty 19″ alloys
With Geely launching so many vehicles, this one has been “pushed” to a corner of the showroom, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. The Okavango is a midsize crossover SUV, measuring 4,860 mm long, 1,990 mm wide, and 1,770 mm tall. So, it’s a large mid-sizer!
The first thing that stands out is the front design’s obsession with straight lines and geometry, featuring what might be the largest grille in the industry—this side of BMW’s kidney grilles and the Toyota Avalon. It’s called the “Cosmic Recall” grille in the brochure, but more appropriately the “Icefall” grille (as per the website), thanks to its 16 chrome slats arranged vertically. The giant chrome grille is flanked by “Stone Array” LED headlamps. Then there are the sporty, chunky 19-inch “vortex” wheels tucked under pronounced arches that catch one’s eye—wheels that would look good on a rugged off-roader or even a sports car.
And as large as it is, there’s a subtle MPV vibe to its silhouette, likely due to the short hood—giving it more of a family hauler feel than a traditional SUV. The rear features a continuous LED light bar, similar to those on other new Chinese vehicles. Customers can choose between black, grey, and white, but we think the blue wins our hearts—and thankfully, the colour names are simple.
In a nutshell, the Okavango is a bold, proudly Chinese design. While the MPV profile might seem slightly frumpy to some, we believe the Okavango will impress Dubai folk—especially for a starting price of AED 89,900.
Interior: Well-appointed, dual-tone cabin with a truly usable 3rd row
Right off the bat, most people will likely appreciate the Okavango’s cabin. It’s elegantly styled—something we’ve come to expect from Geely—with a dual-tone interior: tan on top, black below. The dashboard follows the industry trend with a full-width slat design and integrated air vents, while soft-touch materials add comfort.
Despite its affordability, it packs just enough screens to compete with premium rivals. The highlight is a 12.3-inch infotainment display that looks larger than it is. Most controls are screen-based—which isn’t ideal—but there are separate physical AC buttons. The digital instrument cluster ranges from 3.25 inches in the base GF trim to 10.25 inches in the GK. It’s colourful but not very customisable—same with the central screen.
As for seating, the leather may not be genuine, but it’s perforated and diamond-quilted, adding visual appeal. Comfort is adequate. The driver gets 6-way power adjustment (basic, but sufficient), while the passenger gets 4-way—also fine. While the seats use PVC leather, the 4-spoke steering wheel and gear shifter are wrapped in genuine leather and feel soft and premium—important touchpoints. The shifter is a short, toggle-style unit, and there are no paddles, which makes sense for this type of vehicle. There’s ample space in the second row, with 3 to 4 inches of extra knee room for a six-footer. The third row is surprisingly usable for two adults and may even be class-leading, as claimed. Overall, the Okavango is spacious and well-suited to large families, like some arab families, or frequent visitors. And yes, it has the obligatory 60-inch panoramic sunroof for those who like a bit of sun—though I’d personally stay in the shade.
Drivetrain and driver: Zippy and comfy ride, marred by minor traction control issues
For a 7-seater SUV, adequate power and torque are essential—and thankfully, Geely delivers with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. While the displacement may seem modest, the turbocharger provides the necessary boost, helping it produce max. outputs of 215 hp and 325 Nm. It’s paired with a 7-speed DCT—an increasingly common setup in Chinese vehicles.
On the road, though, things change. As with many Geelys, the shifter is finicky—you need to press the brake firmly to engage it. The bigger issue is the screechy front tyres on take-off. Whether at a traffic light, on a slope, or over a speed bump, the front wheels spin too easily, drawing unwanted attention. The traction control clearly needs recalibration— a minor software update should do.
That said, once in motion, performance is strong. Acceleration feels brisk, and the 0–100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds seems plausible. The 2,825 mm wheelbase supports a decent ride—slightly wobbly when unladen, but it settles with passengers. This makes it an easy Sheikh Zayed Road cruiser. Steering lacks precision, and handling doesn’t live up to the “Sport” in SUV—but this is a family hauler after all, not a track car meant for the Dubai Autodrome.
Geely claims 14.4 km/l, though real-world figures are closer to 10 km/l—still good for around 600 km on a full tank and perfectly adequate for daily use.
Features & functionality: Commodious, overly boomy stereo and plenty of safety features
This is a spacious vehicle, offering up to 2,050 litres of cargo space (2,360 litres, according to the website) with the second and third rows folded. There’s a single 12V outlet, a rubber-lined underfloor compartment, adjustable cupholders, and a useful shelf under the centre console for handbags or wallets.
The dual-zone climate control performs well, with strong airflow and effective cooling—even in the rear, thanks to dedicated vents. Ventilated front seats are a welcome addition for our region, though nothing beats covered parking. Audio quality from the 6-speaker system is generally good across genres, though the bass is overly boomy. Radio presets are hard to access, and Bluetooth audio plays at a low volume. There are two USB-A ports in the front, but none in the rear. Android Auto isn’t available—at least not in our test vehicle—but the GF model includes QD Link for phone mirroring and wireless charging.
On the safety front, the base model includes four airbags, while the GF gets 10. All trims come with TPMS, hill start assist, hill descent control, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear collision alert. The 540-degree HD panoramic camera is a standout, though it would benefit from a portrait-oriented display for better usability.
Verdict: An affordable MPV-style 7-seater SUV with a usable third row and plenty of features, though the traction control could use recalibration
Geely has been on a roll by launched competent vehicles in the UAE one after the other, and the 2025 Okavango continues that trend—though it’s not their finest. As the brand’s only 7-seater, it offers plenty: bold styling with real road presence, a well-equipped and spacious cabin, and room for two adults in the third row. However, the MPV-like silhouette can appear frumpy, the shifter-brake interface feels finicky, and the traction control could use recalibration for smoother take-offs. Still, it’s a versatile and affordable family SUV with a clear place in the UAE market. Also, the 7-year/250,000 km warranty should help negate reliability issues to some extent.
Rivals & alternatives
The market is sprawling with affordable compact and mid-size 3-row SUVs, namely the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, Chery Tiggo 8, and Jetour X70 Plus.
Current offers
As of June 2025, the dealer in Dubai is offering up to AED 5,000 cashback, 0.99% for 3 years, free insurance, up to 5 years of service or 100,000 km, free tinting, free roadside assistance, and up to 7 years/250,000 km warranty. For more accurate details, please get in touch with your local dealer.
GOOD – Robust styling; spacious with a usable 3rd row; plenty of features; peppy powertrain
BAD – MPV-like silhouette; TCS needs recalibration; finicky shift mechanism; unproven resale and reliability
EDITOR’S RATING: 7/10
SPECIFCIATIONS
Body type – 7-seater; 5-door mid-size crossover SUV
Engine – Front-engine; turbo 2.0-litre 4-cylinder; front-wheel drive
Transmission – 7-speed DCT (automated manual)
Peak output – 215 hp @ 5,000 rpm; 325 Nm @ 2,000 – 4,500 rpm (TBC)
0 to 100km/h – 7.9 seconds (claimed); 8.5 seconds (tested)
Top speed – 200 km/h (drag limited; estimated)
Fuel economy – 9.9 l/100km (tested)
Price – Starting at AED 89,900
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