Someone will say that all Chinese cars, like Chinese Android smartphones, are plus or minus the same. I partly agree. If you put them all side by side, taking off the logos (although many of them still don’t recognize them with logos), an unprepared observer will have the feeling that all these cars are almost the same. But what if you give this person a ride on them, to the store, out of town, on a short trip. This is where those nuances come in. I am talking about them.
The hero of this test drive Geely Atlas Pro. Of course, in the top configuration, like almost all cars that are given out for test drives. But you have to show the manufacturer what progress has come to? Well, I don’t mind, I’m telling you! By the way, Geely is so far the only brand that has been asked: “What kind of brand is this?” It’s worth thinking about recognition …
Characteristics
- Engine: ICE, 3 cylinders, in-line, 1.5 liters, turbo, 95th gasoline (mild hybrid).
- Power: 177 HP s., 255 Nm plus 50 Nm from the electric motor.
- Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission (7DCT).
- Drive: full.
- Average consumption during the test drive: 8.2 liters per 100 km.
- Drove: 668 km.
Meeting
Large, stately, blue
I don’t know why, but manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom often offer red or blue as bright colors. But it’s definitely better than black. Atlas Pro, even in static mode, is large, with an aggressive muzzle, on the false radiator grille of which the logo is buried. The last one, I’ll be honest, the company’s is quite nondescript. The headlights are diode and, as it is now in fashion, with a complex pattern and geometry. Two “gills” on the hood also look aggressive. And on the sides of the bumper there are slots leading to the wheels. The last time I saw this was on a Volkswagen Taos.
Walking around, I note that the lower edge of the door does not overlap the threshold. And a test drive showed that dirt from the street is actively climbing there. It will take some tweaking to stay clean.
The stern, in contrast to the front, is not so expressive. Sleek taillights and heavily sloping rear window, in the manner of a crossover coupe. By the way, there is no access by a wave of the leg, but this is the flagship model. And since we are talking about the trunk, I turn to the story of the interior decoration.
I press the button on the trunk lid, and welcome. You can also use the lever on the driver’s door or on the key fob. And in the settings there is an adjustment of the opening height. Inside the trunk 378 liters of volume, not so much. And also: a light bulb on the side, a 12 volt / 120 watt socket, one hook, a small niche with a mesh and a curtain with a guide. In general, I would say modestly. In the underground there is a stowaway with a jack. The second row is folded in the classic proportions of 40 to 60.
On the second row is already much more interesting. I immediately note that it is super spacious for me to sit behind myself (height is 173 cm). Large pockets in the door cards, niches for small things in the doors and in the center. The front row seats are trimmed with plastic at the back and have mesh pockets, which is practical. In the center is a folding armrest with mechanized cup holders (yes, this part is from Volvo, and I will return to this topic later). More from comfort: its airflow to the legs and two deflectors in the center, as well as two USB Type-A connectors. Well, heating, on the buttons. The backs are slightly adjustable in inclination.
It feels comfortable in the back, spacious, what else do you need? Well, except that there would be more windows in the back, otherwise these are quite small, thanks to the rising window line. And, a huge panoramic roof, delight!
Transplanting forward, the first thing I notice is the handles on the center console. I climbed into an advertising brochure, looking for the answer to the question: “Why are they?”. Turns out it’s a reference to Chinese calligraphy. Okay… but I won’t say that they are very appropriate, it seems to be a little closer with them. Secondly, there is not a lot of gloss here! In general, a salon with its own style, a la high-tech. Against the background of other Chinese cars, even calm and restrained. The door release handles look especially stylish (the same on the back). In general, the materials are tactilely pleasant and, by the way, do not change on the rear doors. And it often happens that all the luxuries are in front, and the second row seems to be second-rate. There is also atmospheric lighting (you love colored lighting, right?), So, in front of the passenger, the panel made of “plastic wood” glows from the inside!
I must pay tribute to the number of niches, I list: a glove box, a box in the armrest with cooling, a niche for cup holders (although one medium glass will take up the entire space), there is also a small niche for small things and the same to the left of the steering wheel. There is another drawer on the left side of the dashboard, plus large niches in the door cards. Wow, how much can you spread out! Oh yes, and also a two-tiered center console, wireless charging, two classic USBs and a slot for a smartphone. See photo!
Now about everything else. Ergonomics are generally standard. The automatic transmission knob is a joystick (yes, you can just turn off the car and it will go into parking mode and apply the parking brake). Nearby are the buttons for disabling stabilization, turning on cameras, an assistant for descending a hill and parking sensors. As a couple of my friends commented: “Looks like a Porsche.” Consider it a compliment?
The climate is partly on the buttons, partly in the menu. In general, it is tolerable, the main thing is that the temperature and degree of airflow, as well as switching on and off, are regulated by physical keys. But the seat heating is only in the menu, which is inconvenient. But the strangest thing is where the heated steering wheel lurks. In the media drawer! If I didn’t meticulously press all the buttons and didn’t climb all the menus, I could easily not find it (you can write in the comments: “Who is the manual for ?!”).
In contrast, an extremely comfortable steering wheel. Both in materials and in matters of ergonomics. The levers here are related to Volvo (yes, yes, again a reference, and it is not the last one), the buttons on the steering wheel are perfectly read blindly. Class!
I’ll go through the multimedia component and you can go. The main multimedia screen is healthy, 12.3 inches, with good brightness and graphics. Translation into Russian, as well as entering text into the interface, by four. There is nothing to emphasize here. There are plenty of menu items, you can adjust the backlight, sound, and various car systems. By the way, everything works on Android, I found out when I reset the settings to the factory settings, and the famous logo appeared there. Well, here comes a barrel of tar (not a spoon, yes): Atlas Pro has neither CarPlay nor Android Auto. There is a CarbitLink application for displaying the smartphone screen. But it will have to be used with the always-on smart display … in general, a so-so idea.
Finally, the dashboard screen. He is perhaps the most modest part in the entire car. This applies to both size and style in general. The latter, by the way, can be changed. There are two color options and a la sporty styles. In general, the whole menu logic and its layout resembled a similar system in Haval: in order to navigate through a part of the menu, you need to additionally press a button, and only then the buttons that are responsible for music will control the menu items. I also note that it was in the tidy that some of the car settings were hidden here and many of the items contain abbreviations that are very difficult to understand without a description. In general, I will not say that this is a significant minus, once you figure it out, set it up and forget it. But, Geely, there are simpler settings.
So, here I would have finished, but by the time of writing the text, I had already traveled, of course, and I must note that there is no blind spot monitoring system here. Here is the adaptive cruise control (there is a suspicion that it is common with the same Swedish brand) is available, active lane keeping too, four cameras around the perimeter – yes … but there is no monitoring.
What is the result? Salon of very nice materials, a lot of niches, generally thought out and comfortable. The plastic tree would be removed from it, why these flirtations? Well, I hope that in the future he will get more intelligible menus in on-board systems and native interface systems with modern smartphones.
Let’s hit the road
Predictable behavior and assembled suspension
Infrequently, I can say that about a Chinese car. But here, as they say, what is, can not be taken away. The steering wheel, albeit with electric power, is understandable and with a pleasant effort. Adjustments, by the way, for reach and height. The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable. But there is no lumbar support, just as there is no memory for several people. If you drive far, you will have to buy a pillow and “fight” with the second driver for the position of the chair.
It is important to note that I have Atlas Pro in a mild hybrid version. Yes, you can’t interfere with the operation of the electric motor, but it is there and works to save fuel. By the way, the car can even coast, when you slowly release the gas, it turns off the internal combustion engine, and then, quite imperceptibly, turns it on. This will require some skill and competent work with the gas pedal. If you are used to trampling the pedal very actively, you are unlikely to see the operation of this system. And Atlas Pro very discreetly turns the engine on and off in start-stop mode.
Also, imperceptibly, the electric motor is being charged, mainly due to recuperation. And it gives up to +50 Nm! Is it worth saying here that all this is a joint development with Volvo? By the way, as you probably already noticed in the description of the characteristics, there is a three-cylinder engine with a turbine. Like many three-cylinder engines, at idle it feels like you’re in a diesel car. But on the move it is already imperceptible.
There is also four-wheel drive that is relevant for life in Russia. It is implemented due to a multi-plate clutch, and its operation cannot be influenced in any way. But, let’s be honest, in regions where there is snow in winter, it is calmer with it. Well, you can move off the asphalt a little bolder. And, by the way, on the primer, even wet, the car, if it does not work miracles, then behaves very worthily!
There is also a sports mode here, so if you want to sink, then in general you can, 305 Nm contribute to this. But even without it, Atlas Pro picks up city speeds very confidently and will not let you feel like you are catching up on the track. Of course, I’m talking about permitted speeds.
Well, a few words about the suspension. Elastic, understandable and without strong rolls. What else do you need from a family car? Although I met one person to whom she seemed harsh. And what about off-road, you ask. A clearance of 170 millimeters will not allow you to roam especially. There are no miracles here. But all-wheel drive, which cannot be interfered with in any way, is available, which, nevertheless, is a plus.
Review
Slightly odd balance of coolness and omissions
Yes. On the one hand: it rides well, rulitsya well, a relatively economical engine, four-wheel drive and an excellent adaptive cruise. Nice materials in the cabin and even a huge panoramic roof available. But on the other hand: there is no monitoring of blind spots (this is when it is equipped), there is no CarPlay and Android Auto … We are waiting for an update, or what?
I thought, I thought, well, what else is there to complain about? I remembered that the sound of acoustics is not very voluminous, flat. Radio stations do not display names (this is a sore of many Chinese, by the way).
Okay, in fact, for your money — a cool car. Yes, she, like many cars today, is not about emotions, but she will be comfortable with her. Checked.
Pros:
- four-wheel drive does a good job outside the asphalt;
- excellent adaptive cruise control;
- many niches for everything in the world.
Minuses:
- no support for CarPlay and Android Auto.
May not like:
- no seat memory;
- not enough hooks in the trunk;
- some menu items take a very long time to get into.
And a small gallery with sensors, cameras and a view from them.
Source: Trash Box
I am Joyce Corbett and I have been working in the news industry for over 10 years. My current role is as an author at World Stock Market, where I focus primarily on the tech section. My specialty is creating engaging content that helps to explain and demystify complex financial topics.
