2021 Okavango is a problem – good for Geely, bad for others

When Geely Philippines launched the 2021 Okavango last November, it’s evident that it plans to hit two or three birds with one stone. The reason for this is that the Okavango can compete in the seven-seater midsize SUV market, in the crossover segment, and even in the MPV category. It comes with dimensions that are similar to midsize SUVs but with a price tag that is within the ballpark figure of crossovers and MPVs offered in the local market.

2021 Geely Okavango 7-Seat Crossover MPV: Macho people-hauler? | Quick Look

Speaking of the Okavango’s dimensions, it is larger than the Toyota Fortuner. To put things in perspective, the 2021 Okavango is 40mm longer and 45mm wider as compared to the Toyota midsize SUV. As such, the Okavango’s overall dimension is one of its selling points. Having a longer and wider body translates to a more spacious interior, a feature that’s crucial when you’re shopping for a seven-seater family hauler. 

2021 Geely Okavango

Aside from its size, the 2021 Okavango also comes with notable interior features. The top-spec Urban trim comes with leather seats as well as a power-adjustable driver and front passenger seat. Moreover, the 2021 Okavango features seven individual seats, which is a unique feature when you compare it to other midsize SUVs in the market that usually comes with a 2+3+2 seat configuration (with the second-row seats as bench type).  

The Okavango can accommodate seven occupants

In addition, the 2021 Okavango comes with triple-zone automatic climate control that allows the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants to select their desired temperature setting respectively. Talk about overall passenger comfort. 

However, one of the downsides of the Geely Okavango, as compared to midsize SUVs, is its ground clearance. The Okavango has a ground clearance of 194mm, which is far from the usual number you see in the midsize SUVs offered in the market. Speaking of which, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport has a ground clearance of 218mm while the Ford Everest has 225mm. The Okavango’s ground clearance is more at par with crossover vehicles such as the Hyundai Tucson that has 172mm as well as with the Ford Territory’s 180mm.  

Under the hood, the 2021 Geely Okavango is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine featuring a 48-volt electric motor. It can generate a maximum power output of 190 hp and 300 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. One could argue that the Okavango’s 1.5-liter turbo gas engine makes the vehicle more like a crossover rather than a midsize SUV. Well, that argument is valid since crossover vehicles in the local market come with a similar power unit.

Rear of the 2021 Geely Okavango

Other than the engine, the Geely Okavango comes with a price tag that competes with the crossover and MPV vehicles in the market. The Okavango has a starting price of Php 1,208,000 for the Comfort variant while the top-spec Urban trim is priced at Php 1,328,000. 

With that in mind, the entry-level variant of the seven-seater Okavango is priced just Php 29,000 more compared to the base trim of the five-seater Ford Territory, which is at Php 1,179,000. The Okavango is also closely priced with the Toyota Innova E variant (Php 1,320,000). 

The Geely Okavango has a confident stance

But the price range of the 2021 Okavango differs significantly when you compare it to midsize SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Montero Sport. The Fortuner G 4x2 MT is priced at Php 1,633,000 while the Montero Sport GLX 4x2 MT is at Php 1,565,000. With that, the top-spec Okavango is way cheaper as it only comes with a price of Php 1,328,000.   

Considering all the points above, the 2021 Okavango is a problem for other car brands in the Philippines. It stands and has the interior space of a seven-seater midsize SUV but it comes with a price tag of a crossover or even an MPV. Overall, the Okavango can be Geely’s challenger in three vehicle segments: midsize SUV, crossover, and MPV. Indeed, Geely Philippines wants to hit three birds with one stone through the 2021 Okavango. 

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