Having been revealed in full in November, the Geely Icon has finally gone on sale in its home market of China. Sitting on the same B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) as the Binyue, the new compact SUV serves as a more fashion-forward alternative to the latter, being a relatively faithful production recreation of the eponymous concept from 2018.
As we’ve seen before, the car sports a blocky, futuristic design apparently inspired by ’80s 8-bit graphics. The front end is perhaps the most striking aspect of the Icon, dominated by a reinterpreted “expanding cosmos” grille that now spans the entire width of the fascia.
The concentric rectangular motif is bookended by the vertical main headlights (which are claimed to improve lighting efficiency by 30% and provide 165 m of forward visibility at night) that are said to resemble the infinity symbol, while the upper headlights have been reduced to slits, flanking a slim air intake. Another pair of rectangular inlets can be found lower down, while the clamshell bonnet is fitted with vents.
The upper lights flow neatly into a prominent accent line that then sweeps downwards and back into the squared-off wheel arches; this line is repeated over the rear wheels. The rectangular motif is repeated in the depressions of the side sills, retractable door handles and what appear to be indicators on the door mirrors.
Meanwhile, the pillars are all blacked out for the in-vogue “floating roof” look, though the bodywork does rise upwards towards the rear to form body-coloured fins. The tail lights are still rectangular but slightly larger than on the concept and mirror the infinity symbol of the headlights; the aforementioned concentric motif at the front is also repeated at the rear to form the number plate recess.
The interior also borrows several cues from the show car, including a layered dashboard, air vents again shaped like an infinity symbol and a Mercedes-Benz G-Class-style passenger grab handle. Under the tall centre console is stowage space for your belongings, and there’s also a wireless smartphone charger ahead of the stubby gearlever. As you can see, buyers can also specify daring brown-and-white colour scheme.
A pair of 10.25-inch displays are seemingly draped over the top layer – one for the instruments, the other for infotainment. The centre screen runs the latest Geely Key User Interface (GKUI 19) – first seen on the Boyue Pro – while the 360-degree camera system can be used to show 180-degree views of the front, rear and sides of the car. The Icon will also come with the N95-certified Intelligent Air Purification System (IAPS) that was rapidly developed in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Geely says that the Icon is available with “Level 2+” semi-autonomous driving capabilities, supported by 12 ultrasonic radar sensors, millimetre-wave radar and five high-definition cameras. Driver assistance features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and autonomous parking, among others.
The Icon will also debut an optional 48-volt mild hybrid system that provides 13 hp and 45 Nm of accelerative boost. It is paired to the standard-fit 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that on its own produces 174 hp and 255 Nm of torque, resulting in a total of 188 hp and 300 Nm during short periods.
The engine is mated to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, just like you’d find in the locally-assembled Proton X70. All in all, the Icon is able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds with the mild hybrid system, whilst also being capable of a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.7 litres per 100 km. Pricing in China ranges from 115,800 yuan (RM69,500) to 128,800 yuan (RM77,300).
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Proton X30 yang di nanti2 smue !
Similar segment with Mini Countryman But with more practicality.
Well done China! We need more of your talent here!
I hope Proton can learn to design something mind blowing like this Game-Changing icon with Geely’s platform. 30 years we waited for Proton’s stunning design but it never happened. Now with the help of China and Geely, Proton should come up with original design instead of rebadging
Nasib baik China dan Geely tolong kami, kalau tidak, Proton sudah lingkup
I hope we can bring the brans behind Geely to run our country also
Run a business is great but run a country is a big no no. They are run by a communist party which mean whatever you are working hard for is owned by party not yours, you really want that?
You brainwashed guy is funny, Huawei is 100% owned by employee, Google it
Google no longer works on Huawei phone. Talk about the irony.
What’s wrong with sharing. You like a country where 5% hold 90% of the wealth.
(Like) Geely Icon rm69k to rm87k
(Dislike) Proton Geely X50
Dua dua pun suka macam mana sis?
Proton cars got no RV but kereta China OK lagi RV
Proton makes cars more affordable to own. Apa lagi mau?
Geely has lots of brains. They sell cars that people like and want. Like trend past 20 years is SUV. For 20 years PRoton did not know the trend was SUV
yg x70 pn harga kat china high spec rm70k jadi rm120k kat malaysia, dah ckd pn mahal lagi, best giler gov kutip duit rakyat
So it’s just a redesign of Binyue. But way too unconventional for Malaysian taste, me thinks Binyue as X50 would be a better fit for our market.
1 word – ugly
Using COTY volvo xc40 platform , this a STEAL!
Wow… with this kind of price… really the SUV for the rakyat!
Thanks to China who give us affordable prices.
I blame Japan have been giving us expensive cars for so long. Ban Japan and Perodua
damn that price
Love you Pete & California team! Love the boxy silhouette! Very Manly! Just imagine the infinite weave grille that’s spans the entire width of the ICON fascia
I would take this Geely ICON over the X50 .. as it has much better styling elements (somewhat Range Rover like) plus is much more mature and likely age better than the X50 which is trying too hard to be “Ah Bengish” & “Sporty” looking at the same time..but ended up more like overkill..
Some would say Icon is way too copying compared to more original design of Binyue.
Hmmm overall good design, but that body kink, cut off in the middle, bent too sharply to shape a boxy fenders. What with the chromes that looks like holes below the car all around.
So they dumped the old model onto proton and got themselves a volvo xc40 look alike.
How does it look like an XC40?
I think we need to look at the price being sold in China and use the same number as the expected price to be sold here. 115800 yuan means it will be priced about 115800 RM when it launches here
The pricing in China isn’t reflective of its actual value outside of the mainland. Their local brand prices are the result of stiff competition and government subsidies. But, the Icon isn’t actually “cheap”. Very similar size to the Binyue and same sort of class, but its lowest spec is more expensive than Boyue’s lowest spec, and overall more expensive than the Binyue (X50). If this arrives in Malaysia it would likely cost upwards of 90k, same as the X70. However, the pricing is fair considering its tech (and possibly also have a good level of refinement).
I’d liked to know whether you Honda Breeze, Urv and Avancier is the same or not, hope you do some reviews of theses models, thank you