The upcoming Geely EX5 compact SUV will arrive with a power leap and rear-wheel drive – with a noticeably larger front trunk also revealed in new photos just before its scheduled launch on September 21.

The switch from front- to rear-wheel drive was revealed in Geely’s application for a domestic sales licence in China, according to CarNewsChina, which noted that the charging port has been moved from the front fender to the rear. 

White SUV seen from the rear, parked on a gray surface in front of a gray wall; full-width rear light bar and Porsche badge visible on the tailgate
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Power for that rear axle comes from a single electric motor making 245kW, which is a marked leap from the 160kW in the current EX5. There’s no word on the torque the new unit produces, but top speed will reportedly increase from 175km/h to 201km/h. 

Images posted online by an anonymous EV enthusiast revealed the increased luggage space in the front trunk, but there are no official details on exactly how big it is. However, a close look at the images reveals an inscription that the space has a maximum load of 50kg.

The new EX5 will measure 4636mm long – an increase of 21mm over the current model – with a width of 1920mm, height of 1670mm and wheelbase of 2750mm. Power is stored in a lithium-iron-phosphate battery, and there’s no word on whether it has been changed from the current 68kWh unit, which provides 475km of WLTP range.

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New safety features include a camera integrated into the roof spoiler, and fender side-mounted cameras. Alterations to the EX5’s looks include new semi-hidden door handles and new bumpers, plus there’s a LiDAR sensor on the roof.

The EX5 has been a big winner for Geely down under, with VFACTS figures showing it’s the seventh-most popular vehicle in the country with 1947 sales in August – a stellar 385.5 per cent increase over the same time last year.

Toyota’s RAV4, the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson have been in the EX5’s crosshairs and the upcoming raft of improvements should give the Geely even more chance of climbing up the sales charts. No details have been confirmed about an Aussie price or on-sale date.