Geely Okavango gets a more colorful interior  

Right after Geely Philippines introduced the Okavango in November 2020, the new model had tongues wagging. One reason is the interesting choice for the name, another being the slight confusion on whether it should be classified as an MPV or an SUV. 

The latter has much to do with the Okavango’s size, trumping a number of its competitors in terms of physical dimensions. This is readily apparent in the cavernous interior, as the Okavango is the only Geely model available locally with seven seats, decked out in serious black leather. 

Geely maintains a presence in other international markets outside of China, among them Saudi Arabia. Although the Middle Eastern country benefits from a relatively wider model lineup (due to the Binray sedan and the Tugella compact crossover), it also previously lacked a seven-seat vehicle, a gap now filled by the Okavango’s recent debut in the kingdom. The model brings an extra perk for its Arab customers: two-tone upholstery. 

The Middle Eastern kingdom is the first in the world to get it

Saudi Arabia is the first market to have a gray-and-beige interior on the Okavango, as not even units in China are offered with the slightly colorful palette. The dashboard and interior door panels also get the same two-tone treatment for visual consistency. 

It might have something to do with the prevailing Saudi climate, as dark-colored leather seats tend to soak up more heat compared to those with a lighter hue, which compromises passenger comfort. The brighter colors also further contribute to the impression of space, not that the Okavango needed it in the first place. One downside is that the empty seats resemble penguins inside the cabin, apart from stains being a little more obvious on the beige surfaces.   

Saudi-spec Okavango units retain the same amenities as ours

Color aside, the Saudi-spec Okavango doesn’t differ all that much from our version, from the adaptive LED headlamps and 60-inch sunroof on the range-topping variant to the 10.25-inch floating touchscreen, three-zone climate control, and CN95 cabin filter. 

Power still comes from a 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder gasoline engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid system, spinning the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Six airbags protect occupants from impacts, while a 360-degree camera array lets drivers see around the vehicle to eliminate blind spots.  

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