Looking for a practical 7-seater SUV that doesn’t break the bank? Meet the Geely Okavango – a family-friendly, feature-packed SUV that offers surprising refinement and space at a competitive price.
Offered in two trims — GK and GF — the Okavango sits in a hotly contested segment in the UAE, going up against rivals like the Toyota Fortuner, Nissan X-Trail, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, and Jetour X90 Plus. Prices start at AED 98,100 and top out at AED 110,000 for the fully-loaded GF trim.
In this review, we dive deep into what the Okavango has to offer – from design and comfort to features, performance, and most importantly, value. If you’ve been wondering, “Is the Geely Okavango a good 7-seater SUV to buy in the UAE?”, you’re in the right place.
What does the Geely Okavango look like?
First Impression
The Okavango measures 4.86 metres in length, 1.91 metres in width, and has a 2.82-metre wheelbase. That makes it pretty sizeable, therefore giving it solid road presence and serious interior space.
Front Design
The face of the Okavango features Geely’s signature “Icefall” grille – wide, imposing, and detailed with chrome vertical slats. Sharp LED headlamps flank the grille.
Side Profile
Clean shoulder lines run from the front to the rear, accentuating the SUV’s length. Large 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels add character and fill out the arches nicely, giving the Okavango a strong yet premium look. The wheels also contrast the Blue shade on our review car quite nicely.
Rear Styling
At the rear, the tailgate is simple but tasteful. A full-width LED light bar adds a contemporary touch, while the integrated roof spoiler with high-mounted brake light adds both flair and function.
How spacious is the Geely Okavango inside?
Is the Geely Okavango a true 7-seater?
Yes. The Okavango is a genuine 7-seater SUV, with all three rows usable, including the third row, which offers better legroom than many of its rivals.
Key Interior Features
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 10.25-inch digital instrument display
- Wireless charging
- Automatic climate control
- Ventilated front seats
- Panoramic sunroof
The cabin is well-appointed with brushed metallic accents, piano black inserts, and soft-touch materials, creating a cabin that feels upscale for the price. However, the infotainment UI could do with an improvement in design, and while it does offer wired Apple CarPlay, there’s no Android Auto. At this price point, buyers usually expect wireless connectivity on both platforms.
Second & Third Row Comfort
- Second-row seats slide and recline individually, offering excellent flexibility for cargo or passengers.
- The third row is comfortable for kids and manageable for adults on most occasions.
- When you fold the second and third rows flat, you unlock a massive 2,360 litres of cargo space. Equipment for your weekend camping trip, or all the luggage for that airport run? No problem.
- Even with all seats up, the boot space is a decent 660 litres — not enough for a large suitcase, but sufficient to hold 3-4 backpacks.
How does the Geely Okavango drive?
What engine does the Geely Okavango have?
The Geely Okavango is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4 petrol engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
- Power Output: 218 hp
- Torque Output: 325 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Approx. 7.9 seconds
- Top Speed: 200 km/h
Geely Okavango Driving Experience
Despite its size, the Okavango feels surprisingly compact and easy to drive. Visibility is great, and the light steering at low speeds makes it easy to handle in city traffic and parking lots. On highways, the steering firms up, giving you more confidence at higher speeds.
You get three driving modes: Eco, Comfort, and Sport. The modes do not change any steering or suspension settings, but it does change how the engine responds to inputs from your right foot. Here’s what each drive mode feels like:
- Eco Mode: Prioritizes fuel economy but feels a bit sluggish with noticeable turbo lag.
- Comfort Mode: Slightly better throttle response with reduced turbo lag.
- Sport Mode: Sharper throttle response and quicker acceleration — for obvious reasons, this was the preferred drive mode during our testing.
The suspension is tuned for comfort, absorbing bumps and rough roads with ease. That said, the soft setup does lead to noticeable body roll in corners. But let’s be honest — most buyers aren’t carving corners with a 7-seater family SUV like the Okavango.
What features and safety tech does the Okavango offer?
- 360-degree camera system
- Electronic parking brake with auto-hold
- Keyless entry & start
- Multiple airbags
- ABS, EBD, and ESC
- Rear parking sensors
- Hill Start Assist & Hill Descent Control
While it misses out on some advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control or lane-keep assist, the Okavango still offers a comprehensive safety package for its price range.
What is the fuel economy of the Geely Okavango?
Official figures suggest a fuel consumption of around 12-13km per litre, depending on driving conditions and the drive mode. During our real-world testing, it clocked a fuel efficiency figure of 8.2km per litre over 212 kilometres of mixed driving conditions. This is a fair number for a turbocharged 7-seater SUV that weighs 1,659kg.
Verdict: Should You Buy the Geely Okavango in 2025?
The Geely Okavango is an excellent value proposition for families looking for a spacious, tech-packed, and comfortable SUV. It may not have the badge value of its Japanese rivals, but it offers more space and comparable performance, and features at a lower price point.
It’s practical, refined, and well-suited for daily family use and weekend getaways. Just don’t expect it to be sporty or packed with high-end tech — that’s not its lane.
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- Top Things To Know About Geely
- Chery Cars For Sale In The UAE
FAQs
Is the Geely Okavango a 4WD or AWD?
No, the Okavango is front-wheel drive (FWD) only.
Is Geely a reliable car brand?
Geely has steadily improved its global reputation for quality, especially after acquiring Volvo. In the UAE, Geely and AGMC offer strong after-sales support and warranty coverage of 7 years or 250,000km.
How much is the Geely Okavango in Dubai?
Prices start from AED 98,100 for the GK trim and go up to AED 110,000 for the GF variant.
What is the engine capacity of the Geely Okavango?
It comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 218hp and 325Nm.
How many seats does the Geely Okavango have?
The Okavango is a 7-seater SUV with flexible second and third-row seating.
Looking for a practical 7-seater SUV that doesn’t break the bank? Meet the Geely Okavango – a family-friendly, feature-packed SUV that offers surprising refinement and space at a competitive price. Offered in two trims — GK and GF — the
