The Chinese->ke2090 market loves large cars with massive back seats that make it comfortable to be driven around in. Geely->ke3815 caters to the market well with the Emgrand 8, a full-size car that focuses on comfort and quality. The car is about the same size as the U.S. Market Toyota Avalon->ke350 and it trades in performance for luxury and space, while still retaining the incredibly low price that Geely is so good at offering.

The car is available with two engine and three transmission choices, and it is priced below any competitor it would have in the category in the U.S. That said, the car is underpowered and unlikely to meet current crash regulations, so entry into North America could prove to be very difficult for the Chinese car.

Should Geely look to modify the Emgrand 8 and bring it Stateside? Can it compete with Toyota->ke88, Honda->ke34 and Volkswagen->ke94? Check out all the details and more photos of the car after the break, and be sure to hit those comments and give us your thoughts.

Click past the jump to read more about Geely Emgrand 8.

2014 Geely Emgrand 8

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Geely Emgrand 8
  • Horsepower: 139 @ 6000
  • Torque: 131 @ 4000
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Emgrand 8 follows the Geely family design language to create a car that is handsome in its own way, but it is sure to blend in with the large crowds in a bustling metropolitan area. The front end is rounded and has the look of an older Audi, while the side profile and is smooth and unassuming save for one shoulder line that cuts from the taillamps through the door handles. Geely calls it a “slender flow line.”

Chrome on the grille, window trim, door handles and alloy wheels add a touch of class to the exterior. Otherwise, the Emgrand 8 looks like a lot of other large sedans on the road today. Sizing wise, the Geely is within a few inches of the current 2014 Toyota Avalon in overall length and wheelbase.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

4,905 MM (193.11 Inches)

Width

1,830 MM (72.04 Inches)

Height

1,495 MM (58.85 Inches)

Wheelbase

2,805 MM (110.43 Inches)

Wheel tread (Front/Rear)

1,575/1,560 MM (62.00/61.41 Inches)

Minimum Ground Clearance

115 MM (4.52 Inches)


Interior

As befitting any large sedan that aims towards luxury, the Emgrand 8 is full of leather and space. The rear seats are spacious and feature nice sculpting and large headrests. The front thrones are properly spaced and ergonomics appear to be well thought out. The interior design features tan-colored leather and carpets with the dash, center console and steering wheel in a contrasting black. The trim appears to be a high-gloss piano black. The top of the door panels are also black.

Safety equipment includes no less than six airbags, traction control and ABS brakes.

Drivetrain

The base engine for the Emgrand 8 is a rather asthmatic 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Output is only rated at 139 ponies with 131 pound-feet of twist. You can get this engine with either a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. If you care about performance in any way, stay away from the automatic. For both manual models, Geely quotes a 0-to-60-mph sprint of 13 seconds. The automatic takes an agonizing 18 seconds. Top speed for manual 2.0-liter models is 111 mph. The auto is good for just under 100 mph.

There is a second, more powerful engine available for the Emgrand 8. A 2.4-liter can be ordered, but we aren’t really sure why you would bother. It only comes mated to the six-speed automatic, and despite having 150 horsepower, it still only manages the exact same 13-second 0-to-60-mph run and tops out at the same 111 mph of the 2.0-liter manual models.

If Geely does have any hopes to bring this car stateside, it will need to drastically alter its drivetrain options.

Drivetrain/Specifications

Type

4G20

Displacement

1,997

Maximum power

139 HP @ 6,000 RPM

Maximum torque

131 LB-FT @ 4,000-4,500 RPM

Transmission

5MT

Top Speed

180 km/h (111 mph)


Prices

As with all of these Chinese cars, we don’t have a very good idea on what potential U.S. pricing will be aside from using conversions. If you try to convert the MSRP of the Emgrand 8 to USD, you get a total of $17,300. Considering this is the brand’s current flagship and a potential competitor to something like the $30k plus Toyota Avalon, Geely certainly has the ability to undercut all of the competition. Even if a new drivetrain added a full $5k to the price, Geely would be sitting at a $22,000 MSRP, still well under its competitors.

Competition

Toyota Avalon

When it comes to mainstream full-size sedans in America, there is nothing that competes with the Toyota Avalon. This stretched and refined Toyota Camry has everything that a discerning buyer could hope for. You can get it loaded with leather and luxury equipment that put it on par with a Lexus, it comes with a powerful 3.5-liter, V-6 engine, and the only transmission option is a smooth-shifting six-speed unit that works flawlessly.

When moving down the road, the Avalon feels competent and luxurious. The cabin is quiet, NVH is well controlled, and there is more than enough space for four full-size adults to be comfortable. The big kink in the armor of the Avalon against the Geely is the price. With a starting MSRP of more than $30,000, the Avalon is almost twice as expensive as the Emgrand 8 could be if it arrives.

Volkswagen Passat

If you want quality and space in a car that is of a cheaper budget than the Avalon, you can’t do much better than the Volkswagen Passat. While slightly smaller than the Avalon, the Passat is nearly identical in exterior length and wheelbase to the Geely. Thanks to its legendary German quality, the Passat is also guaranteed to be every bit as quiet, well-built, and refined as any Toyota or Geely model. The Passat is also available with a wide range of engine and transmission options. There is a 1.8-liter turbo gasoline engine, a 3.6-liter VR6 petrol version, or the fuel-efficient 2.0-liter TDI. Tranmissions range from a five- or six-speed manual to a pair of six-speed automatics, one Tiptronic and one DSG dual-clutch.

With a starting price of only $21,120 the Passat puts a major damper on any kind of price advantage the Emgrand 8 would have in the market. If Geely wants to compete in this segment, the Emgrand 8 needs to come absolutely loaded with luxury features and equipment without impacting the price too dramatically.

Conclusion

The Emgrand 8 looks to be like one of the hardest models for Geely to transition to America. While it is spacious and does feature leather seating, it faces stiff competition from the likes of the Volkswagen Passat. Every car in the segment is more powerful, and I am not sure that some cow hide is enough to carry this car through showrooms. Geely will need new engines, better transmissions, and it will have to double-down on build refinement if it hopes to compete with names like Avalon.