Photos of new 2024 Geely Okavango go online, and it looks pretty darned nice
The Geely Okavango that we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing on PH roads is, for all intents and purposes, aged. We mean that in no derogatory way, only that its looks and features have been pretty much the same since its PH entry. Surprising – and very timely, then – that images of the “new” Okavango were posted by Geely on their official social media page. A caption did mention “new”, but we don’t have much to go on, but what is there for all of us to see ahead of an impending release?
Geely gives the Okavango updates both inside and out
Photo: Geely
Not so long ago, we caught wind of an update to the Okavango in the 3rd quarter of 2022. Known as the Haoyue in its home market of China, the images released then and those that have recently been posted by Geely look almost the same. We didn’t get that update on what’s being offered in the Philippines, but what did we miss out on?
Up front, the grill is visibly and significantly larger than what’s on the current model. Finished in chrome, the octagonal, vertically-slatted grill is flanked by slimmer and sleeker headlight assemblies. There’s now a faux skid plate at the bottom of the front bumper as well, giving off a sportier look to Geely’s good-selling 7-seater. Perhaps this will allow for a younger clientele, no?
Cladding is quite abundant as well from the front, sides, and rear. The rear being mentioned, a light bar that spans the width of the tailgate has also been added, replacing the chrome garnish that we see in current models. This with the redesigned taillights add to a much more modern look.
Photo: Geely
Inside the “new” Okavango we see a new tan interior motif. The color choice makes its way to the upholstery, door sidings, dashboard, center console, and even the steering wheel. The air conditioning vents have likewise been changed, and more screens are adorning the dash; both as (what looks to be) a gauge cluster, and the infotainment system. We can see that it’s still a 7-seater MPV in the photo above, so we can rest assured that this is still built to be a proper “family” mobile.
In case you haven’t noticed, “Okavango” is clearly written on the front and rear vanity plates, and its badge in the same nomenclature can also be found on the tailgate. If anything, these may all point towards a global launch, and that will probably come sooner than later.
Photo: Geely
A quick peek at the current Okavango model’s specs in China showed that it has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. That’s good for about 218 HP and 325 Nm of pull by way of a 7-speed DCT. The chances of the PH market getting the same engine are pretty high. That will inevitably affect its rather competitive pricing though, given the higher taxes imposed on engines with displacements bigger than 1.5 liters. Geely PH’s strategy should prove to be interesting should they finally bring this in, same engine or not.
Geely PH has had its fair share of “troubled” times, and while all of it might not be over and done with, there’s no disregard that the brand will keep pushing forward and into the local market. A long way has come since its lone model, the Coolray, began a dominant rise in segment sales. The Azkarra may not have enjoyed the same following, but the Okavango made up for it in impressive fashion.
Geely‘s lineup continues to grow, but an update to existing models is just as important for any brand (and model) to stay attractive, and this new Okavango might just work the same wonders as the previous, outgoing model has for the past many years.
The only question is if (and when) it will hit our shores.
